The Early Days: A Creative Spark and Humble Beginnings

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Michael Janda’s career didn’t start with a grand vision of building a multi-million-dollar agency or writing best-selling books. It started, as most great stories do, with a spark of curiosity and a lot of uncertainty.

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Growing up, Michael was always creative. He loved art, problem-solving, and the process of building things from scratch. However, his path to becoming a designer wasn’t clear-cut. In the late 1990s, design wasn’t the well-established industry it is today—there were no online tutorials, design bootcamps, or communities to guide him.

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After graduating, Michael started his career in-house at creative roles for companies that undervalued design. It was an eye-opener. He realized that many businesses didn’t understand the potential of good design or how it could drive results. Designers were often seen as executors, not partners.

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Michael’s experience in these roles shaped his perspective. He started asking himself:

• How do I prove the value of design?
• What does it take to be taken seriously as a professional?ging for my skills?
• Can I actually make this sustainable?

Eventually, Michael decided to bet on himself and make the leap into freelancing.

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The Struggles of Freelancing: Lessons Learned the Hard Way

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Freelancing didn’t come easy. The early days were a grind—unpaid invoices, demanding clients, long nights, and self-doubt. Michael wore every hat: designer, project manager, marketer, accountant.

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The questions were constant:

• How much should I charge?
• Why aren’t clients taking me seriously?
• What happens if I can’t make this work?

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One client, early in Michael’s freelance days, pushed for endless revisions on a small project that paid peanuts. It was a frustrating, demoralizing experience—but a turning point. Michael realized he needed to treat his freelance career like a business, not just a hustle.

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He began setting boundaries, learning to communicate his value clearly, and developing systems to work smarter, not harder.

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“Freelancing isn’t just about being creative—it’s about running a business. The sooner you embrace that, the sooner you’ll succeed.”

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Building Systems: The Breakthrough That Changed Everything

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The first step to scaling his freelance career was building systems:

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Take web design, for example. A website isn’t just pixels on a screen; it’s a tool that helps clients grow their business. It attracts customers, builds credibility, and drives revenue. That’s worth far more than 10 hours at $50/hour.

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1. Finding Clients
   • Michael developed a strategy for outreach, proposals, and follow-ups that didn’t feel desperate or pushy. He learned to sell his services by focusing on solutions, not skills.
   • Clients responded to his professionalism and confidence.

2. Pricing Projects with Value in Mind
   • Michael stopped charging by the hour. He realized clients didn’t care how long a design took—they cared about the outcome. He created a pricing formula that reflected the value of his work.

3. Managing Projects Efficiently
   • Michael built templates for proposals, project briefs, and feedback requests. His systems saved time and made him look professional at every touchpoint.

These systems were the foundation for everything that came next. Clients began seeing Michael not just as a designer, but as a trusted professional.

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The Rise of Riser: From Freelancer to Agency Owner

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With systems in place and a growing reputation, Michael transitioned from solo freelancer to agency owner. He launched Riser, a creative agency that would go on to work with some of the world’s biggest brands.

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Michael’s mission at Riser was clear: to elevate design as a business solution.

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What Made Riser Stand Out

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1. Positioning Design as a Business Investment
   • Michael educated clients on how design solves problems, drives revenue, and influences behavior. He shifted the conversation from “How much does this cost?” to “How will this help our business grow?”

2. Building Trust Through Systems
   • Riser ran like a well-oiled machine. From proposals to project delivery, clients trusted Riser’s process. This professionalism led to repeat business and referrals.

3. Delivering Results for Major Brands
   • Michael and his team delivered exceptional work for clients like Disney, Google, NBC, and Fox. For example:
     • Disney: Riser helped create campaigns that blended creativity with clear, measurable impact.
     • NBC: They tackled complex design challenges for entertainment platforms, balancing user experience with bold visuals.

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These wins weren’t accidents—they were the result of strategy, consistency, and treating design as more than just aesthetics.

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“Clients don’t hire you for tools or skills. They hire you for your thinking, your strategy, and your ability to solve their problems.”

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Over the years, Riser grew into a multi-million-dollar agency.

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The Transition: From Agency Owner to Educator and Mentor

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After over a decade of running Riser, Michael reached another turning point. He had built a successful agency, but he felt a pull to do something new: give back to the creative community.

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He had spent years learning the hard lessons of freelancing, scaling, and business—and he realized these lessons could help thousands of other freelancers.

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Writing Books That Changed the Game

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Michael poured everything he knew into two books:

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1. “Burn Your Portfolio” – A brutally honest guide covering everything they don’t teach you in design school: client communication, professionalism, pricing, and more.
2. “The Psychology of Graphic Design Pricing” – A roadmap to charging what you’re worth and understanding how clients think about money.

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Both books became essential reading for freelancers. They were packed with real-world advice, frameworks, and stories freelancers could apply immediately.

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Teaching Through Content

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Michael expanded his impact through:

• YouTube: Sharing tutorials and actionable strategies for freelancing success.
• Speaking Events: Teaching creatives how to build sustainable businesses.
• Social Media: Offering daily tips, encouragement, and insights.

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Michael’s message resonated deeply because he didn’t sugarcoat the journey. He talked about the struggles, the mistakes, and the hard work it takes to succeed.

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Lessons You Can Learn From Michael Janda’s Journey

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Michael’s story isn’t just inspiring—it’s actionable. Here are his biggest lessons:

1. Treat Freelancing Like a Business
   • Stop “winging it.” Build systems for proposals, pricing, and client management.
   • Action Tip: Start small with templates for contracts, timelines, and invoices.

2. Charge Based on Value, Not Hours
   • Clients care about results, not hours. Price your work based on the value it brings to their business.
   • Action Tip: Ask yourself, “How will this project impact my client’s bottom line?”

3. Systems Create Trust and Scale
   • Systems save time, reduce stress, and make you look professional. They also allow you to scale.
   • Action Tip: Create checklists and repeatable processes for every step of your workflow.

4. Share Your Knowledge
   • Teaching builds trust and authority. Share your process, tips, and lessons with others.
   • Action Tip: Start sharing small wins, lessons learned, or insights on social media.

5. Position Yourself as a Problem Solver
   • Clients don’t hire designers—they hire problem solvers. Show how your work drives results.
   • Action Tip: In every client call, focus on the problem and the solution.

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Final Thoughts: Build Systems, Deliver Value, and Share Your Story

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Michael Janda’s journey proves that freelancing success isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy, consistency, and value.

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If you’re feeling stuck, remember this:

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• Treat your work like a business.
• Charge for the value you bring.
• Build systems that set you up for success.
• And don’t be afraid to share your journey.

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Your freelance career has the potential to grow beyond what you imagine—if you take the first step.

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Feeling Inspired? Here’s What to Do Next:

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1. Read Michael’s Books: Start with Burn Your Portfolio and The Psychology of Graphic Design Pricing.
2. Follow Michael on Social Media: Learn from his strategies on YouTube and Instagram.
3. Level Up Your Business: Use resources from Usefreelance  kit to build systems and grow your freelance career.

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Your next big opportunity starts with one action. Take it.