Over the years, I’ve had the chance to work with hundreds of web designers and agency owners through Pathfinder SEO and webShine. I’ve seen what separates those who grow with confidence from those who stay stuck. It almost always comes down to systems, mindset, and community.
One of the best ways to accelerate your progress in all three areas? Invest in coaching.
A great coach helps you see what’s next, keeps you accountable, and gives you tools and frameworks to move faster without losing yourself in the process. I’ve personally learned from each of the coaches below, and they’ve all shaped how I think about business and growth.
If you’re a freelancer or agency owner looking for guidance, you can’t go wrong with any of them. The key is finding the right fit for where you are in your business journey.
Josh Hall & Web Designer Pro™
Best for: Web designers and small agencies ready to grow from freelancer to business owner.
Josh Hall has built one of the most supportive and practical communities for web designers out there. Web Designer Pro™ combines courses, community, and coaching — all centered around helping web designers move from solo to scalable.
Josh’s background as a successful agency owner gives him a unique perspective. He knows what it’s like to juggle client work, pricing, and growth while building systems that actually work. His lessons are approachable, honest, and full of real-world examples.
What I love about Josh’s approach is its tactical nature. He’ll show you exactly how to package your services, set up recurring revenue, and deliver a great client experience — without burning out.
Shannon Mattern & Web Designer Academy
https://webdesigneracademy.com
Best for: Established freelancers (especially women) ready to raise their prices and reclaim their time.
Shannon Mattern helps web designers get paid what they’re worth — and stop working nights and weekends to keep up.
Her Web Designer Academy blends mindset coaching, systems, and marketing strategy to help you build a profitable, sustainable design business. Shannon’s focus is on value-based pricing and confidence — helping designers charge more, communicate their worth, and create businesses that serve their lives (not the other way around).
I’ve learned so much from Shannon’s teachings and podcast over the years. Her blend of empathy and strategy resonates deeply with creatives who want to do meaningful work and still make a great living.
Troy Dean & Agency Mavericks
https://www.agencymavericks.com
Best for: Agency owners ready to scale their team, improve operations, and grow recurring revenue.
When it comes to running and scaling a digital agency, Troy Dean and the team at Agency Mavericks (formerly WP Elevation) are the gold standard.
Their programs help agency owners go from “winging it” to running a well-oiled business — complete with processes, pricing models, and a clear path to growth.
What I appreciate most about Troy and the Mavericks team is their mix of structure and inspiration. You’ll get frameworks for everything from client onboarding to sales calls, but also encouragement to build a business that aligns with your vision and lifestyle.
If you’re leading a growing agency and need the tools (and community) to get to the next level, this is the place.
Jennifer Bourn & Business Your Way
https://jenniferbourn.com/business-your-way
Best for: Freelancers and micro agencies who want structure, clarity, and repeatable systems.
Jennifer Bourn is one of the most generous educators in the WordPress and web design community. I’ve learned from her through courses, trainings, and conversations — and every time, I walk away with something practical I can implement immediately.
Her program, Business Your Way, helps freelancers and small agency owners build solid systems for everything from client onboarding to project delivery. Jennifer’s curriculum covers the full business lifecycle — pricing, proposals, client management, and even boundaries.
She has an incredible ability to turn the messy middle of running a business into something simple and repeatable.
Where Does Pathfinder Fit In?
At Pathfinder SEO, we stay in our lane — and that lane is SEO and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization).
We help web designers and agencies add SEO as a profitable, recurring service. Our guided approach combines courses, coaching, and community to help you deliver consistent results for clients without needing to become a full-time SEO expert.
In 2025 and beyond, visibility isn’t just about ranking on Google — it’s about showing up wherever your audience is searching, including AI-powered engines like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. That’s where Pathfinder helps you (and your clients) stay ahead of the curve.
If you already know how to build beautiful, functional websites, Pathfinder helps you make those websites visible — and helps you turn SEO into a repeatable, scalable service inside your business.
The Takeaway
If you’re serious about growing your web design or agency business, don’t go it alone.
Coaching has been one of the best investments I’ve made — both personally and professionally. I’ve learned different lessons from each of these communities: how to systematize (Jennifer), how to price confidently (Shannon), how to scale sustainably (Troy), how to build recurring revenue (Josh), and how to grow visibility through SEO and AI search (Pathfinder).
Each one offers something unique. The right coach for you depends on your goals, your stage of business, and the kind of support you’re looking for.
No matter which path you take, investing in yourself and your business is always worth it.
