No more guessing. No more worrying. Whether you’re a solo freelancer or running an agency, I’ve been in your shoes. I know the fear of figuring it all out alone, and I know the challenges of scaling a business to $30M+ in revenue. Now, I’m on a mission to help you maximize your creative business success with customized, actionable mentoring tailored to your journey.
Group Coaching
MCA Pro Members
Join bi-monthly group coaching sessions with Michael Janda, where you’ll get actionable insights and personalized advice as part of your pro level MCA membership.
1:1 Coaching (Discounted)
MCA Pro Members
As an MCA Pro member you’ll unlock exclusive, discounted 1:1 coaching sessions with Michael Janda to dive deeper into your unique business challenges.
1:1 Coaching (Full Rate)
Non-MCA Members
Work directly with Michael Janda through personalized 1:1 coaching sessions available at standard rates for non-MCA members. Actionable strategies and advice when you need it with no longterm commitment.
MCA VIP
All-Access Agency Advisory
Join an exclusive advisory group of 10 visionary agency owners and get tailored strategies to scale your agency to new heights.
7 Reasons You Need a Mentor for Your Business Journey
When I started my freelance career in 2002, I was overwhelmed and unsure. I didn’t understand pricing, contracts, or scaling, and I had no one to guide me. Over the years, I grew from a one-person operation to running a $30M+ agency, which I sold in 2015. Now, I’m here to be the mentor I wish I’d had – guiding you with customized strategies and real-world advice tailored to your specific challenges and objectives.
Every coaching session, whether 1:1 or group-based, is designed to address your unique needs and deliver practical, actionable solutions. Let’s work together to take your business to the next level.
I have been in your shoes…all of them.
1996-1998
Starting at the Bottom
Fresh out of Indiana University with a mediocre design portfolio, I landed my first job as a “pre-press coordinator” at Alphagraphics. Yep…it was the bottom of the design industry. Over the next couple of years, I worked my way through a series of entry-level design jobs, learning the ropes and building the foundation for my future career.
1998-2000
First-Time Creative Director
In 1998, I took on a role as a “webmaster” for a children’s toy and book company in Phoenix, Arizona. Driven by ambition and creativity, I created one of the first interactive websites for kids, oKID.com, packed with games, cartoons, and educational content. My efforts earned me a promotion to Creative Director, where I built and led a team of 26 creatives, shaping the company’s digital presence.
2000-2002
Creative Director at Fox Studios
My success with oKID.com opened the door to an incredible opportunity: Creative Director at Fox Studios in Los Angeles. Leading a team of 50 designers, programmers, and producers, I managed complete rebrands and rebuilds for the digital arms of Fox Kids and Fox Family. At the time, I didn’t realize the tremendous impact this would have on the rest of my career as a creative.
2002-2004
The Freelance Years
The dot-com crash forced me to pivot to freelancing – a terrifying yet pivotal move. My first client, Sony (thanks to a former Fox colleague), led to projects with Warner Bros., ABC Family, and AOL. While I found success, fear held me back from growing sooner, and I stayed small longer than I should have. I work hard to ensure my mentees don’t make this same critical mistake.
2004-2015
Agency on Steroids
My freelance business rapidly transformed into a thriving agency, growing exponentially year after year. We earned accolades like the Webby, Inc. 5000, Awwwards, and FWA, working with top-tier clients like Disney, ABC, NBC, Fox, Warner Bros., Google, YouTube, and more. At its peak, my agency, Riser, operated out of my custom-designed studio, with 20 full-time staff and millions in annual revenue. We even had a company boat. Good times.
2015-2018
Selling My Agency
In 2015, I sold Riser to a friendly competitor, merging into the agency EKR. As one of four partners, I helped grow EKR to an 80-person team, achieving record billings and earning two spots on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in the U.S. By 2018, with over $30 million in lifetime revenue and thousands of projects completed, I decided to leave the agency world to pursue a new chapter…the thing I realized I loved most.
2018-Present
My True Passion
Since 2018, I’ve focused on my true passion: mentoring and empowering creative entrepreneurs. Through published books, a growing social media audience of hundreds of thousands of creatives, and countless mentoring sessions, I’ve dedicated my career to helping others navigate the challenges I once faced. I love diving into the weeds with creative entrepreneurs, solving business problems, and seeing them succeed. It’s an honor to work with amazing people around the world, and I feel truly blessed to do what I love every day.
Not just advice. Coaching is about implementation and transformation.
Coaching isn’t just about advice – it’s about transformation. From overcoming imposter syndrome to scaling agencies to record heights, Michael Janda’s coaching has helped creative entrepreneurs achieve extraordinary results. With personalized strategies, actionable insights, and a deep understanding of the creative industry, Michael has guided countless creatives to success.
But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what entrepreneurs, agency owners, and creatives are saying about their experience working with Michael.
Flexible Coaching Options Designed for Every Creative Entrepreneur
Group Coaching
MCA Pro Members
Join bi-monthly group coaching sessions with Michael Janda, where you’ll get actionable insights and personalized advice as part of your pro level MCA membership.
$97/mo.
Billed quarterly, or monthly for $127/mo.
2x Sessions Per Month
90 Minute Video Sessions
Live with Michael Janda
Ask Questions
Replay All Past Sessions
Searchable Transcript
Please Note: Live sessions typically occur Tuesdays or Thursdays at NOON EST.
1:1 Coaching
(Discounted)
MCA Pro Members
As an MCA Pro member you’ll unlock exclusive, discounted 1:1 coaching sessions with Michael Janda to dive deeper into your unique business challenges.
$250/session
MCA Pro level membership required.
60 Minute Video Session
1:1 with Michael Janda
Session Recording
Session Transcript
A.I. Summary
Schedule as Needed
Scheduling link can be found inside the MCA community menu.
1:1 Coaching
(Full Rate)
Non-MCA Members
Work directly with Michael Janda through personalized 1:1 coaching sessions available at standard rates for non-MCA members. Actionable strategies and advice when you need it with no longterm commitment.
$750/session
No MCA membership required.
60 Minute Video Session
1:1 with Michael Janda
Session Recording
Session Transcript
A.I. Summary
Schedule as Needed
MCA VIP
All-Access Agency Advisory
Join an exclusive advisory group of 10 visionary agency owners and get tailored strategies to scale your agency to new heights.
Coming Soon
Details coming early 2025!
Private 1:1 with Mike (1x/qtr.)
VIP Group Session (2x/mo.)
Mike Text Message Access
VIP Private Discussion Board
Advisor Mike Janda
10 spots available.
Six month commitment required.
