33. Lessons We Wish We Knew About Managing Clients as Creative Business Owners

Calligraphy Biz Corner

Chapters
0:00
Introduction: Why Client Relationships Can Make or Break Your Creative Business
4:22
The Non-Negotiable: Always Have a Contract
8:11
Defining Your Scope of Work to Avoid Scope Creep
16:19
Setting Communication Boundaries That Clients Respect
21:38
What to Do When Things Go Wrong (Real-Life Examples)
25:40
Being Flexible While Protecting Your Boundaries
30:43
Spotting Red Flags and Clients Who Aren’t a Good Fit
37:35
Handling Unhappy Clients with Professionalism
43:52
Your Next Steps: Refining Your Client Process (And How You Can Work with Us!)
Calligraphy Biz Corner
33. Lessons We Wish We Knew About Managing Clients as Creative Business Owners
Aug 12, 2025 Season 1 Episode 33
Alane Gianetti, Shaochen Wu

Navigating client relationships is one of the most important — and often most challenging — parts of running a creative business. Whether you’re a calligrapher, stationer, live event artist, or another service-based creative, you’ve likely faced situations that tested your boundaries, communication skills, or patience.

In this episode of Calligraphy Biz Corner, we share how we set boundaries, manage expectations, and handle tricky client situations while still delivering a premium experience. We’ll cover:

  • Using contracts to protect both sides
  • Defining your scope to stop scope creep
  • Setting communication boundaries
  • Handling challenges with professionalism
  • Spotting red flags early & knowing when to walk away

You’ll hear stories from our own businesses and the lessons they taught us about safeguarding time, energy, and creative vision.

If you’ve ever felt drained by a project, second-guessed your boundaries, or wondered how to respond when a client pushes back, this episode will give you the strategies and mindset shifts to manage client relationships with confidence.

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Episode Artwork 33. Lessons We Wish We Knew About Managing Clients as Creative Business Owners 47:17 Episode Artwork 32. Creating Video Content that Connects and Converts: Reels, YouTube, and Showing Up with Confidence (with Shine With Natasha) 54:27 Episode Artwork 31. How This Creative Mom Built a Thriving Calligraphy Business with Relationship Marketing with Jen Bowen of She Made It Like That 57:53 Episode Artwork 30. Pricing Common Scenarios for Calligraphers & Stationers: A Live Coaching Call 56:15 Episode Artwork 29. How to Use Financial Data to Grow Your Creative Business with Samantha Eck of Firestorm Finance 40:03 Episode Artwork 28. Show Up, Stand Out & Build an Authentic Brand Online with Madelyn Furlong of Madelyn Victoria Co. 55:05 Episode Artwork 27. Empowered CEO Part 3: Get More Done with these 5 Productivity & Time Management Hacks 38:29 Episode Artwork 26. How to Offer Live Calligraphy & Engraving for Weddings with Kendall Udofia of Cedar Cliff Designs 55:25 Episode Artwork 25. Empowered CEO Part 2: Strategize Like a CEO and Scale Your Calligraphy Business 48:39 Episode Artwork 24. Top 2025 Wedding Trends with Desirée Adams of Verve Event Co. 58:42 Episode Artwork 23. Empowered CEO Part 1: 4 Key Mindsets for Building a Thriving Business in 2025 37:08 Episode Artwork 22. Stress-Free Holidays: How to Take Time Off from Your Calligraphy Business 32:27 Episode Artwork 21. 3 Ways to Market Your Calligraphy Business without Social Media with Marie of Maiden September 53:48 Episode Artwork 20. Manage Business Finances and Grow Your Wealth with Money Coach, Erinn Bridgman 1:08:52 Episode Artwork 19. Why Ongoing Learning is Essential to Thrive as a Small Business Owner 54:05 Episode Artwork Minisode 2: Why You’re Getting Ghosted in Your Business (And How to Fix It!) 13:51 Episode Artwork 18. How to Make Your Calligraphy Business Legal with Paige Hulse of The Creative Law Shop 1:02:47 Episode Artwork 17. 6 Steps to Maximize Holiday Sales for Your Creative Business 35:02 Episode Artwork Minisode 1: Learning Calligraphy Skills Whether You're a Beginner or a Pro 13:06 Episode Artwork 16. From Burned Out to Balanced: Keys to Navigating Busy Season as a Small Business Owner 46:19 Episode Artwork 15. Mastering Marketing and Pricing for Live Events with Cat and Alex of Keeping Up with the Calligraphers 54:24 Episode Artwork 14. We're Back! Summer Highlights and Podcast Plans 24:36 Episode Artwork 13. Slowing Down to Speed Up - HAGS! 12:14 Episode Artwork 12. Get Discovered with Long-Term Marketing & SEO: Expert Strategies from Marketing Pro, Kara of The Kara Report 48:04 Episode Artwork 11. Beyond Numbers: Advanced Pricing Strategies for Calligraphers 58:17