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.

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.

Think like a creative. Act like a CEO.

— Mat Casner, Design Business Pro

Member Login

Quit looking for a web design business coach?

The Design Business Pro Academy & Accelerator are coaching programs for brand, web and graphic designers who are ready to be the confident CEO of your business, unlock your earning potential, and find new freedom with less stress.

Enrollment is currently closed.

If you're interested, please join our VIP waitlist and you receive a notification as soon as we open the doors again.

Accelerator Waitlist

It's time to raise your prices, work with amazing clients and be the confident CEO of your design business.

Building a successful business is not a sprint, it's a marathon.
Commit to your business for a year and go from struggle, strife and uncertainty, to clarity, confidence and progress.

I love being a freelancer because it allows me to be my best self, integrating my skills, talents, experience and passions while serving clients I love. It allows me the freedom to spend time on what matters most to me—my family.

In 2005, I took my past experience and passion— left my corporate, 9-to-5 cubicle—and launched a freelance design agency. Through many years of mistakes and learning hard lessons, my freelance business grew. Now, my annual revenues are consistently over 6-figures—year over year.

I have built my freelance business in a small, rural town of 650 people—50 minutes south of Kansas City, Kansas. (we do have really good internet)

I created IGNITE to show creative professionals like you how to discover your potential, ignite your passion and launch your talent as a freelancer.

I want to save you precious time, frustration and guesswork by sharing with you all of the businesses lessons, insight, tips and tricks that I've learned over the past 25 years. 

Be who you were created to be.

Just imagine what life can be like when your design business is profitable, sustainable and scalable....

You know how to find and book clients you want to work with.

You know what to say to get your client's attention, and you put yourself out there with confidence using simple and proven marketing strategies that doesn't require you to run ads, create complicated funnels or live on social media.

You know the value of your skills—and your pricing reflects it.

You quit undercharging and confidently present offers to your clients that are in line with the value you provide...and your clients are thrilled to pay you!

You confidently charge more than you used to (and you're not worried about the competition)

You're 100% confident in the value you that provide and what is possible for your clients when working with you that you don't even blink when making a premium offer.

Your design business has built-in boundaries that are easy to manage.

You're no long an overworking people-pleaseer. You know how to create healthy boundaries  and know exactly how to handle awkward situations with confidence.

You're creating a full-time income without working a full-time schedule.

Getting booked out without working all the time. You don't just know how to get clients, how to make premium offers, sell confidently and run projects like an ace—you are only working when you want to.

You're the CEO of your business, but you're never going it alone.

You belong to a community of sharp, talented designers with unique skills, talents, experiences and passion—who love ot support each other and want to help each other win.

"Sarah's Story"

Sarah was a college instructor teaching graphic design when COVID hit and changed everything. Fewer teaching jobs, less respect for her expertise, and almost no control over her time had her feeling 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 realized she already had the skills. She built a website and launched a freelance design business.

Then reality hit.

"How much do I charge? Should it be 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 Googled "freelance coach" and found Mat and Ignite.

"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 year she worked with Ignite, 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 — and she's not looking back.

Meet Isaac: Marketing Consultant and DBP member

"I was about to give up on my dream of growing my business."

"There's a lot of gurus out there who are gonna tell you that with their training or course is gonna turn your business around or make you a certain amount of money. Yet, as soon as I started receiving communication from Mat, I sensed something different. I could really tell that he was there to serve and that his heart was to help people like myself.

I know this sounds crazy, but before the end of the eight week IGNITE Business Academy was over, I had made more money in my business during that eight weeks than I had in the entire year previous."

Isaac Fabian

ISAACFABIAN.COM

It's time to reach your potential and create the freedom, flexibility and financial independence you want in your design business.

(My freelance business has allowed me to make some incredible memories with my favorite people. A couple of photos from the Winter Olympics in South Korea and Jackson, Wyoming—our favorite family vacay spot.)

Hey there! I'm Mat

For the past 10 years, I've been working with freelance business owners all over the world to help them grow and scale their businesses.

My mission is to help individuals own their unique talents, experience and passions and help them become confident, profitable business owners.

I've spent 10 years working for some of Kansas City's premier corporate web development teams and advertising agencies before launching my own freelance business. I've managed web and marketing communications for Fortune 500 clients, while teaching marketing and business development to other creative professionals along the way.

I left my corporate cubicle more than 15 years ago to start my own full-time freelance design business—and I have never looked back.

In 2016, I founded Freelance CEO because I want to provide guidance and support to others who want to build a vibrant, profitable freelance business, versus those that are stressful and inconsistent.

There has never been a better time to be a freelance designer.

The Freelance World Is Exploding

We're in the middle of what I call the "FREELANCE REVOLUTION"

The world is changing and freelancing is now becoming mainstream. What used to be a handful of individuals telecommuting has now become the new normal.

Businesses have been forced to adjust to the gig economy (now containing 60 million workers) which is making it increasingly more difficult to find in-house employees.

Our economy and commerce as we know it is forever changing due to technology and the growth of online business.

For the first time in modern history, wealth is leaving the dominance of the corporate environment and is shifting to and being distributed among a new economy of small business owners and entreprenuers.

As freelance business owners, individuals like you and me can find new freedom in this emerging economy.

The opportunity is now to be able to do the work we love, for whomever we want, from wherever we want.

Ignite freelance business membership

Compare the cost of one year inside the Design Business Pro with just ONE college class.

Packed with revenue-generating information you won't learn in design school!

What Design School Won't Teach You:

  • How to find a customer that is a good fit for you
  • How to price your product for profit
  • How to manage projects and workflow
  • How to budget your time and resources
  • How to control your expenses
  • How to write proposals and estimates
  • How to generate recurring-revenue
  • How to market your skills and services
  • How to manage your tax and IRS responsibilities

The DBP Accelerator WILL!

What happens if you don't make a change?

If you choose to stay with your current business model of chasing one-time sales, you will find it harder and harder to keep up.

You will never get a chance to enjoy the freedom and joy that the freelance lifestyle affords because of the overwhelming stress of finding new clients and making new sales month after month.

Every new month, you will be starting at the beginning. Hoping enough sales are out there to carry you through to the next month.

You will only hope that your customers will come back and buy from you again.

But, we both know that 'hope' is not a very good business model.

I'm going to change your mind...

Starting a freelance business (or any business) requires you to make some shifts into new ways of thinking. The old way of doing business means you post your portfolio on your website or social page and pray someone sees it and contacts you. But hoping customers see you and buy is stressful, exhausting and unpredictable.

That's why I'm pumped that you are interested in IGNITE.

What I will teach you will help you build your business in a way that makes finding clients easier. By simply changing the way you think about your skills and talents, I will help you have the confidence to keep taking strategic steps that help lead to clients that love you, keep hiring you month after month and paying you the rates that you deserve EVERY SINGLE TIME.

What is included in the Design Business Pro?

MEMBERSHIP FEATURES

LAST CHANCE OFFER to bundle my

Design Business Academy

My signature 8-Week Course specifically for Design Business Owners
(Design Business Academy included for free with all annual payment)

 

MODULES (What You'll Learn):

Module 1: Get rock solid on your brand and messaging

Module 2: Determine your most profitable products/services

Module 3: Elevate your value and create compelling pricing strategies

Module 4: Craft no-brainer offers your customers can't refuse

Module 5: Setting up your website for high conversions

Module 6: Dial in your ideal marketing messaging and strategies

Module 7: Design your client onboarding for customer experiences that make you look like a rock star

Module 8: Scale your business for sustainable and profitable growth with recurring revenue and leveraged offers 

PLUS, YOU'LL RECEIVE ACCESS TO:

Private Community

Regular Q&A Sessions

Guest Expert Trainings

Backstage Pass - A Look Into Mat's Business

w

Monthly Group Coaching Calls

Access to the Entire IGNITE Training Vault

No product... no clients... no experience...
NO PROBLEM!

Check out what others have said...

gives you the tools to launch and grow your design business!

Remove the fear and guesswork of being a successful freelancer.

In Design Business Pro, I will share with you all the tips and tricks I’ve learned as a freelancer over the past 25 years. The membership can save you thousands of dollars and many years of mistakes. I’m pumped to be your coach and your freelance mentor.

In Design Business Pro, we will work together monthly and I will show you how to:

  • Get answers to your questions and make progress
  • Learn step-by-step, how to promote and market yourself
  • Find new clients and setup pipelines to drive them to you
  • Get the sale and negotiate the most profitable deal
  • Price projects and get paid what you’re you’re worth
  • Master your skillset and grow complimentary skills
  • Streamline processes for greater productivity

Meet Joyce: public relations expert and Design Business Pro member

"Design Business Pro just feels like a family"

"As a freelancer, you're working on your own. And, if you hit a wall, where do you go to get those answers or feedback? The Design Business Pro community is so great. Our weekly Accelerator calls are like a shot in the arm! The group shares your wins, and is encouraging. But, also shares your pain when your week hasn't been as good. It's worth way more than the financial and time commitment that I've made. Just try Design Business Pro and see for yourself."

Joyce Allard

Joyce Allard Communications

What topics are covered in DBP?

  • Getting results for your client, recurring work and referrals
  • Budgeting and finances (insurance, retirement, benefits, profit)
  • Taxes and legal (IP, copyright, contracts)
  • Systems and productivity
  • Multiple revenue streams and recurring revenue
  • Identifying your unique value proposition
  • Branding and promotion
  • Marketing and lead generation
  • Pricing and proposals
  • Negotiating and winning work

What is NOT included in DBP?

  • Wondering if you are charging the right price for your work
  • Spending a lot of time figuring out the best tools to use
  • Not being sure of the next step to take to grow your business
  • Wondering what it would be like to work from home (or anywhere)
  • The frustration of not getting consistent work
  • Feeling like you have no one who can answer your questions
  • The fear that you have to have all the answers to be successful
  • The grind of doing it all by yourself.
  • Guessing how to maximize your profit-earning potential
  • Wondering how you'll earn enough to leave your 9-to-5

"I have been part of Design Business Pro for over a year and can't speak enough about how impactful it has been in my professional growth. With Mat's leadership, the community builds into one another with encouragement and accountability. I believe getting great business advice and instruction from someone who has already trail-blazed the path of freelance is vital. You can try it alone and learn everything the hard way, or you can have the help of others who've already done it to guide you. I've chosen the latter and I hope you do too!"

Paula Hays

BRANDING, GRAPHIC & WEB DESIGNER

"I know this sounds crazy, but before the end of the eight week Design Business Academy was over, I had made more money in my business during that eight weeks than I had in the entire year previous."

Isaac Fabian

COPYWRITER

“The support and constant exposure to new ideas and best practices has helped me grow and improve my personal and business skills.”

Cheryl Aufdemberge

SOCIAL MEDIA & WEB MANAGER

“In the first 10 minutes of our coaching session, Mat identified a valuable source of traffic and leads for my business.”

Brian Juhl

WEB DEVELOPER

“Being a new freelancer, Mat always has valuable answers to my questions. Because of him, I now know I will be successful.”

Kayla Weers

GRAPHIC & WEB DESIGNER

Here's everything you'll get in a year of your IGNITE Accelerator membership when you enroll now!

Design Business Academy

An 8-Week Course specifically for Design Business Owners

($1200 Value)

PLUS

Private Community

($397 Value)

Monthly Q&A Sessions

($597 Value)

Guest Expert Trainings

($297 Value)

Backstage Pass Into Mat's Business

($297 Value)

w

Monthly Coaching Calls

($497 Value)

Access to the Entire IGNITE Training Vault

($997 Value)

Worth: $4,282.00

Ignite freelance business membership

Design Business Academy

INCLUDED AS A FREE BONUS IN YOUR ACCELERATOR MEMBERSHIP

The Design Business Academy is a live, 8-Week Course designed to help you establish a solid business foundation and prepare you to grow and scale a profitable business.

(a $1200 Value)

"I know this sounds crazy, but before the end of the eight week Design Business Academy was over, I had made more money in my business during that eight weeks than I had in the entire year previous."

—Isaac Fabian, Academy Graduate

100-percent

Try it out for 30 days.

I know that you'll love this membership so much that if you do not believe that this membership is the best value of it's kind, forward the receipt to me with the subject "Not For Me" ... and we will give you a full refund, no questions asked.

... and we'll still part as friends. Is that cool?

See? You don't even have to decide right now. Get access to the membership, use the training, implement my system, build your business, because you have a full 30 days to try it out risk-free.