Mat Casner Freelance CEO

You Have the Skills. It's Time to Build the Business That Pays You for Them.

Design Business Pro is a graphic design and web design business coaching program for freelance designers who are done undercharging, done overworking, and ready to finally build a profitable business with confidence.

You didn't get into design to struggle. But somewhere between your first client and right now, the business side of freelancing got complicated — and nobody taught you how to handle it.

That's exactly what we fix here.

Join the Waitlist — Get Notified When Doors Open

You're Good at Design. So Why Does the Business Feel So Hard?

You have real skills. Clients have told you your work is excellent. You get referrals. You stay late to get projects right.

And yet.

You're still quoting rates you're embarrassed by. You're still saying yes to clients who drain you. You're still trading hours for dollars and wondering why the math never quite works out.

You've Googled "how to charge more for web design." You've watched the YouTube videos. You've read the blog posts.

But nothing has actually changed.

Here's what nobody tells you: the gap between where you are and where you want to be isn't a design skills problem. It's a confidence problem. A clarity problem. A positioning problem.

And those are exactly the problems a good graphic design and web design business coach actually solves.

The Designers Who Thrive Aren't More Talented Than You.

They Think Differently About Their Business.

The designers charging $5,000 for a website — while you charge $800 for the same scope — aren't better designers.

They've just figured out three things you haven't been taught yet.

They know exactly who they serve best and how to position themselves as the obvious choice for that client.

They know how to price based on the value they create — not the hours they log.

And they know how to build a client relationship that generates recurring revenue long after the first project ends.

None of this is complicated. None of it requires a marketing degree or a massive social media following.

It requires the right framework, a coach who has actually done it, and the confidence to start acting like the CEO of your own business.

That's what Design Business Pro is built to give you.

I'm Mat Casner:

Your Web Design Business Coach

I'm the Person I Wish I'd Had Knew When I Was Starting Out.

I didn't start as a coach. I started as a graphic designer, then grew into a web designer.

For years I freelanced on the side while working full-time jobs — including a stretch at a large advertising agency in Kansas City where I was managing web and marketing projects for Fortune 500 clients.

Here's the thing that changed everything for me.

The agency was billing my work at $150 an hour. I was charging my own freelance clients $20 to $25 an hour for the same quality of work.

The same skills. The same output. A fraction of the price.

When that finally landed — when I really internalized what that gap meant — I stopped seeing myself as a commodity and started seeing myself as an asset. I raised my rates. I changed how I talked about my work. I changed who I worked with.

And my business changed completely.

I left my corporate cubicle more than 15 years ago and have been running my own full-time design and web agency — Redlogic Communications — ever since. I still take client work today. I'm not a guru who stopped designing a decade ago and now sells courses about it. I'm a practitioner who coaches because I know what works in the real world right now.

For the past decade I've worked with freelance designers all over the world — graphic designers, web designers, brand designers, and other creative professionals — helping them build businesses that are profitable, sustainable, and genuinely enjoyable to run.

My mission is simple: I want to help you own your unique talents, charge what you're worth, and build a business that actually supports your life.

Think like a creative. Act like a CEO.

That's what we do here.

"Before the 8 Weeks Were Over, I Had Made More Money Than I Had in the Entire Previous Year."

I want to tell you about Isaac.

Isaac is a writer and marketing consultant. Smart, talented, genuinely good at what he does.

In the summer of 2022, he sat down with his wife and told her he was done. Done trying to grow his business. Done with the struggle. Done with the dream. He was ready to quit.

That same week, a friend referred him to one of my summits. He almost didn't come.

But something made him give it one last shot.

Here's what Isaac told me afterward:

"There's a lot of gurus out there who are gonna tell you that with their training or course they're gonna turn your business around. But as soon as I started receiving communication from Mat, there was just something different. I could tell he was there to serve."

Isaac came to the summit. Then he enrolled in my 8-week program.

Before the eight weeks were over — before the course even finished — Isaac had made more money in his business than he had in the entire previous year.

The entire previous year.

Not because I handed him a magic formula. Not because I promised him overnight results.

Because we worked through three very specific things together: his mindset about himself and about money, how to package his services around what he actually loves to do, and how to price those packages so he was finally making a real profit.

Three things. And his business transformed.

I'm sharing Isaac's story because I know some of you reading this right now are exactly where he was in the summer of 2022.

Talented. Working hard. Doing everything you know how to do.

But something isn't clicking.

It can work. I've seen it too many times to think otherwise.

What Design Business Pro Actually Teaches You

Most design education teaches you how to design. Design Business Pro teaches you how to run a design business.

There's a difference — and it's the difference between a talented designer who struggles and a confident creative professional who thrives.

Here's what we work on together:

Clarity — Know Exactly What You Offer and Who You Serve Best

Most designers try to serve everyone and end up attracting the wrong clients at the wrong rates. We use a structured framework to help you identify the clients you serve best, the services you love delivering, and the positioning that makes you the obvious choice — not just another option.

Confidence — Charge What You're Worth Without Apologizing for It

Undercharging isn't a pricing problem. It's a confidence and mindset problem. We work through the beliefs that are keeping your rates low and replace them with a value-based pricing approach that reflects what your work actually delivers to a client's business.

Recurring Revenue — Build a Business That Pays You Beyond the First Project

One-time projects keep you on a feast-or-famine treadmill. We help you build recurring revenue through maintenance plans, retainers, and strategic upsells that turn a single client relationship into years of consistent income.

Sales Without the Sleaze — Close Clients Confidently and Authentically

You don't need to be pushy or manipulative to close a sale. You need to know how to have a real conversation about value. We teach you a sales approach that feels natural, builds trust, and converts the right clients — without ever feeling like you're performing.

From "I Was Seriously Considering Quitting" to a Full-Time Design Business She Loves

Sarah was a college instructor teaching graphic design when COVID hit and changed everything.

Fewer teaching jobs. Less respect for her expertise. Almost no control over her time. She felt like "just the help" rather than a valued professional.

When the pandemic forced a reset, a friend asked her to design a book cover — and something clicked. She already had the skills. She built a website and launched a freelance design business.

Then reality hit.

How much do I charge? Hourly or packages? What do I do when a client keeps changing their mind? What if they ask for a refund on work they already approved? How do I break out of feast or famine?

The questions piled up fast. The stress was real. She was seriously considering quitting and going back to a traditional job.

That's when she found Design Business Pro.

"Right away I was like — this is the resource I need. A friendly, encouraging person with a lot of real-world experience. I needed mentorship and practical advice."

In the time she spent working through the program, Sarah describes getting the equivalent of a mini business degree — comparable in practical value to the graduate degree she already held.

She learned how to price her work, package her services, set client expectations, and build a referral-based business.

The results? Her hourly earnings nearly tripled. She stopped wanting to quit. She built a steady flow of referral work. And she's now able to split her week between her design business and her passion for fine art — the exact life she set out to create.

"I had all the skills. It was inside me all along. Mat's encouragement and advice helped bring it out and made it possible for me to build a business that actually supports my life."

She's been running her business full-time for over two years now. She's not looking back.

What You Get Inside Design Business Pro

Design Business Pro combines structured training, live coaching, and a community of working designers — so you get the knowledge, the accountability, and the support to actually implement what you learn.

The Design Business Academy

An 8-week course built specifically for freelance graphic designers and web designers. We cover positioning, pricing, packaging, client management, sales, and recurring revenue — everything design school skipped. You work through it at your pace with lifetime access.

Monthly Group Coaching Calls

Live calls with Mat where you can bring your real business questions, deals you're trying to close, clients you're navigating, and pricing decisions you're wrestling with. Real answers for real situations.

Private Community

A private community of designers who are building serious businesses. Ask questions, share wins, get feedback on proposals, and stay accountable to your goals. No trolls. No fluff. Just working designers helping each other grow.

Guest Expert Trainings

Regular sessions with outside experts covering topics like SEO, content marketing, legal basics for freelancers, and more — so you're getting a well-rounded business education, not just a design education.

Backstage Pass — A Look Inside Mat's Agency

See how a real working design and web agency operates. Real processes, real client communication, real pricing decisions. Not theory. Not what worked in 2010. What works right now.

Access to the Full Training Vault

Every past training, every resource, every template — available the moment you join.

Is Design Business Pro Right for You?

This is for you if...

You're a freelance graphic designer, web designer, or creative professional who already has marketable skills but struggles to price them confidently.

You've been freelancing for at least a year and you're ready to stop treating your business like a side hustle and start running it like a CEO.

You're tired of undercharging, attracting the wrong clients, and trading hours for dollars with nothing left over.

You want a coach who has actually built and run a real design business — not just someone who teaches business theory.

You're willing to do the work. You're not looking for a magic shortcut. You're looking for the right framework, the right support, and the clarity to finally move forward.

This is NOT for you if...

You're looking for a get-rich-quick formula or overnight results.

You're brand new to design with no client experience yet — this program is built for designers who already have skills and need to monetize them better.

You're not willing to examine how you think about your own value. Mindset work is part of this program. If that's not something you're open to, this isn't the right fit.

You want someone to do the work for you. This is a coaching and education program — the results come from your implementation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Design Business Pro open right now?

Not at the moment — but doors will open again soon. Join the waitlist below and you'll be the first to know when enrollment opens. Waitlist members also get access to exclusive early-bird pricing.

I'm a graphic designer, not a web designer. Is this still for me?

Absolutely. While many of our strongest students are web designers, the frameworks we teach apply to any creative service business — brand designers, illustrators, print designers, and other creative professionals have all built better businesses through this program. If you sell a creative service, this was built for you.

How much does it cost?

Pricing is shared when enrollment opens. Waitlist members are always offered the best available rate. What we can tell you is that the program is priced to be a genuine investment — not a $27 PDF — because real transformation requires real commitment from both of us.

How much time does it take each week?

The 8-week Academy is designed to be completed in 2 to 3 hours per week. Coaching calls and community engagement are additional but optional. Most students find that the time they invest quickly pays for itself through better pricing and more efficient client management.

I've tried other courses and they didn't work. Why is this different?

Most design business courses are built by people who stopped doing the work years ago. Mat still runs an active design and web agency. The frameworks inside Design Business Pro are tested in the real market — not just in a classroom. And unlike self-paced courses you abandon by week two, the community and coaching structure keeps you accountable.

What if I join and it's not for me?

We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Use the training, show up for the calls, engage with the community, and implement what you learn. If you genuinely don't believe it's worth your investment at the end of 30 days, forward your receipt with the subject line "Not For Me" and we'll give you a full refund — no questions asked.

What if I join I'm not sure I'm ready. What's a good first step?and it's not for me?

Download the free 6-Figure D.E.S.I.G.N. Business Blueprint. It's a no-cost resource that walks you through the foundation of building a profitable design business. If it resonates, you'll know you're in the right place.

You Already Have What It Takes.
Let's Build the Business Around It.

Isaac was ready to quit. Sarah was ready to go back to a traditional job.

Neither of them had a skills problem.

They had a business problem — and they needed someone who had already solved it to show them how.

If you're reading this and something in you is saying yes, this is exactly where I am — trust that.

You don't need another year of undercharging. You don't need to figure this out alone. You need a proven framework, a coach who has been in the trenches, and a community of designers who are serious about building something real.

That's Design Business Pro.

Doors aren't open right now — but they will be. Join the waitlist below and be first in line when enrollment opens. Waitlist members get notified first and always receive the best available pricing.

Join the Waitlist — I'm Ready to Build a Real Business
Download the Free Blueprint First

Think like a creative. Act like a CEO.

— Mat Casner, Design Business Pro

Freelance CEO Podcast Interview Booking

Hot Diggity!! You’ve been invited to be a guest on The Freelance CEO Podcast!

Please follow these 3 steps to book your call, review the show details and send us your information.

1) Schedule Your TIme

Use our scheduler below to find a time that is perfect for your schedule.

Pick your time now

2) Review The Pre-Show List Checklist

Look over the questions and items that we'll cover during and prepare some thoughts and responses.

View the Checklist

3) Send Me Your Details

Use the form below to send me your information (photos, links, bio, etc).

Send Your Details

1) Schedule Your TIme

Use our scheduler below to find a time that works well for you. Most interviews are between 45 mins to an hour and a half, so I like to allow 90 mins for the call, but you're crunched for time, no problem We'll adapt. If you can't find a good time, email me and we'll figure one out.

2) Review The Pre-Show Checklist

Look over the questions and items that we'll cover during and prepare some thoughts and responses.

Please review the information below as it’ll help prepare you for the interview, explain the tools we’ll use, recommended gear, etc!

Stuff I cover below:

Audio

With podcasts, as you probably know, good audio is super important. Microphones with auxiliary cables are best, next are USB mics but we can also get by with apple headphones or decent headsets. It’s not ideal to do an interview directly into the computer speaker audio.

Also, please make sure to go to a quiet room or place that has little to no background sounds. Less distractions the better for both of us and more importantly, the listeners who don’t want to hear somebody grinding coffee or flushing a toilet in the background

Video

All podcast interviews (unless requested otherwise) are recorded via video as well so please go to a spot with decent lighting and if possible, use a webcam. Most computer cameras are ok but ideally, webcams like the c920 are affordable and have great quality!

Internet Connection

Make sure you have a strong internet connection; ideally using a wire. Meaning you have an ethernet cable plugged into your computer. (see example ethernet cable below) A good wifi connection will do but please make sure it’s strong as we want to limit connection issues. Nothing will throw a conversation off more than the disrupted internet connection and lagging!

Recording

We use Riverside, a super-easy-to-use browser based recording software that helps you look and sound awesome.

Reminder, all interview are video AND audio.

If you’re not familiar with Riverside, it’s super easy to use. Just click the link you’ll be sent to join and you’ll be guided through joining the call via your browser.

A few final things:

  • When will we start recording? We won’t be recording right when the call starts. We’ll have a quick catch up convo but then I usually like to dive right in as I know your time is valuable.
  • How long will the chat go? There is no time limit with my show. Most episodes go between 1/2hr – 1hr but if a conversation needs to go longer, that’s fine with me! I think some of the best conversations need some time to get into it. And if you have a hard stop at an hour or so, that’s fine too. Just let me know.
  • Will this be a live stream? Nope, it won’t be recorded live. Unless we’re doing a special live episode or webinar. This means we can cut out or edit anything you’d like. I like to have real, transparent conversations but if you say something that should be edited or drop a name that you’d like to take out, just me know during or after we record!
  • Is cuss’n cool? We try to keep it clean for the kiddos who might be listening in but if there are a few adult(ish) words here or there, no biggie.
  • When will my episode be published? I’ll let you know when we plan to release your episode. Most episodes go live 4-6 weeks after we record. I’ll let you know as soon as it’s live so you can share on your socials, email list, website, etc!

3) Send Me Your Details

Finally, please fill out this form and agree to my podcast release disclosure prior to our interview so I have your preferred headshot, details, website/social media links, etc!

Podcast Guest Details

Podcast Guest Intake Form

Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, Max. file size: 1 MB.
Please upload your desired headshot or profile pic inJPG or PNG format and under 1MB. 800 px x 800 px would be great! Otherwise we'll find one.
This let's us know everything looks good and that you agree to the official fancy-dancy Podcast Guest Release Policy below.

Podcast Guest Release Policy

As a guest of The Freelance CEO Podcast, I consent to the audio and video recording of my voice, name, and image as part of my appearance on the Podcast. I further consent to the distribution and broadcast of my appearance, including any information and content I provide, by Josh Hall in audio, video, or text form without restriction.

I further acknowledge and agree:

  • (a) I will receive no monetary compensation for my appearance. The consideration I receive for executing this release shall be the exposure I receive to the audience of the Podcast.
  • (b) I am granting the Podcaster a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide license to publish any copyrighted work I supply as part of my appearance on the Podcast.
  • (c) I am waiving any intellectual property claims including, but not limited to, trademark and copyright infringement claims, associated with personal or business interests discussed during my appearance on the Podcast.
  • (d) I am waiving any right to publicity and privacy claims, and agree my name, likeness, and business information may be used by Podcaster in the episode in which I appear and future reproductions as well as the marketing materials supporting the Podcast in general.
  • (e) That Podcaster is the sole owner of any all rights to the Podcast, including the episode in which I appear. I further acknowledge and agree that Podcaster has the right to edit the content of my appearance and publish the same in any media now and in the future without first obtaining my approval.
  • (f) I am releasing and discharging Podcaster together along with all of the Podcaster’s principals, shareholders, officers, employees, agents, successors, and assigns from any and all liability arising out of or in connection with my appearance on the Podcast or the subsequent reproduction and distribution of the episode in which I appear in any medium.

Podcaster grants Guest a royalty-free, worldwide, license and right to publish the Podcast episode in which Guest appears on Guest’s website or app and promote said episode in all of Guest’s social media accounts.