A Family-Owned Agency Built to Serve Our Community.
McKinney Creative Ventures is a family-owned marketing technology agency based in Woodbury, Minnesota, serving small service businesses across the Twin Cities East Metro and Western Wisconsin St. Croix Valley.
Our framework
The Growth Rings
Like a tree, real growth builds from the core out, one ring at a time. Most marketing chases the outer ring, the leads and the ad spend, and then wonders why it never takes root. We build in the opposite order.
Foundation the core
Strategy, a website you actually own, and clean tracking. The base everything else depends on.
Connection the middle ring
Website, SEO and AI search, CRM, and ads wired into one system, so each part feeds the next instead of leaking leads.
Compounding the outer ring
Leads, booked jobs, reviews, and referrals that build on each other and feed back to the core, so growth gets easier over time.
Built for Local, by Locals.
McKinney Creative Ventures was founded by Sam and Ashley McKinney with one clear purpose: to help local small businesses grow with confidence and consistency. We believe every great business deserves the same powerful marketing tools and strategies that larger companies use, scaled for the pace, size, and heart of the community.
Between us, we bring more than 25 years of experience across international business development, marketing strategy, consulting, customer service, sales, and technology and automation systems. After years in the corporate world, we decided to leave and build something different. An agency that gives small business owners access to strategic support that actually moves the business forward, without the complexity or cost of a big agency relationship.
We are a family-owned agency based in Woodbury, Minnesota. We live here, work here, and raise our kids here. That is not just where we do business. It is home.
Sam and Ashley McKinney. Founders, McKinney Creative Ventures.
Sam McKinney. Co-Founder & Lead Strategist.
Strategic Leadership.
We do the work. Not oversee it, not assign it out. When you hire McKinney Creative Ventures, the people who design the site, write the copy, build the CRM, and read the ad reports are the people you meet. Our focus is closing the gap between complicated technology and what a service business actually needs to book more jobs.
Our background spans sales, automation, and business development. We work directly with every client to map the path from first click to booked job, then build the system that captures leads and closes them consistently.
The People You Meet Are the People Who Do the Work.
A family business where senior people run every build. That is the structure, and it is the reason the work holds together.
Whoever scopes it, builds it
The people on your first call are the ones writing the code, building the CRM, and reading the ad reports. Nothing gets handed to a junior once the contract is signed.
A phone number, not a ticket queue
Small changes usually happen the same day, because there is no queue between you and the work. You will not open a support ticket to swap a photo.
We will tell you no
If your project needs a ten person team, or an industry we genuinely do not know, we will say so on the first call instead of taking the work and figuring it out on your budget.
You own everything, including the exits
Your domain, your site, your CRM, your Google Ads account, your Business Profile. All of it stays in your name, so leaving is always an option you control.
Our Mission.
Three commitments that shape every client engagement.
Empower Local Businesses
Give small business owners the tools, strategy, and support they need to grow with confidence and clarity. No gatekeeping. No watered-down versions. Just real agency capability, scaled to fit.
Build Lasting Partnerships
Form genuine, long-term relationships that prioritize trust, consistency, and measurable success over one-time projects. The work gets better when the relationship gets stronger.
Strengthen Our Community
Invest in the success of local entrepreneurs to help build a stronger, more connected East Metro and St. Croix Valley. Every client we support helps strengthen the place we are proud to call home.
The McKinney family. Woodbury, Minnesota.
This Work Is Personal.
McKinney Creative Ventures was built with one goal: to create a meaningful, stable life for our children and raise them in a community that is strong, connected, and thriving.
That is why we choose to work with local businesses. When we help our clients grow, we are investing directly in the same community where our kids live, learn, and grow. Every business we support helps strengthen the place we are proud to call home.
"This work is personal to us. We are not just building marketing systems. We are helping build a better future for our family and for the families around us."
Relationships. Reliability. Results.
At our core, this is how we work.
Relationships First
Every engagement starts with a real conversation, not a sales pitch. We take the time to understand the business before we recommend the work.
Reliability Over Promises
We build systems that work, do what we say we will, and show up when it matters. No disappearing acts after onboarding. No surprise invoices. No vanity reporting.
Measurable Results
Strategy not tied to outcomes is just activity. Every engagement has defined deliverables, clear goals, and real measurement from the first day to the last.
Real Reviews from Real Clients.
Honest feedback from the local service businesses we serve across the Twin Cities East Metro and Western Wisconsin.
Sam was exceptional when I worked with him. He spent extra time showing care and was excited about what he does. Really shows he goes the extra mile with clients.
Sam has been absolutely amazing to work with. He built us an incredible website and is continuing to handle our SEO, and the entire process has been great from start to finish. He’s extremely trustworthy, communicates clearly, and has followed through on everything he said he would do. All of our expectations have been met and honestly exceeded. It’s hard to find someone you can truly trust with your business, but Sam is definitely that guy. Highly recommend him!
Sam made a great impression on me, even though I ultimately didn’t end up hiring him because my business simply wasn’t in a position to make the investment at the time.After our one-on-one, Sam sent me a mockup of what my website could look like—and I immediately wanted it! His sales process was incredibly effective without feeling pushy, and I could clearly see the value in what he was offering.The website was simple, clean, and purposeful. It gave me confidence that anyone visiting would quickly understand who I am, what I do, and how I could help them. I also loved the automation side of his services and could absolutely see myself wanting those in the future.Even though I wasn’t able to become a client, I was genuinely impressed by Sam’s professionalism, creativity, and ability to understand what a business needs. I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a great website and smart business automation!
I cannot recommend Sam's work enough. With the constant changes in technology, he is dedicated to mastering what will be the most effective way to drive and convert leads. He is great to work with and loves to bring a creative approach to the project. A website with an aesthetic appeal and good information won't support your business if no one can find it! -- Hire McKinney!
Sam is a Rock Star! Super reliable and knowledgeable!
Sam has been great to work with he took over our marketing website design and also set up a new CRM system for us. He has been a pleasure to work with and has gotten things optimized. He is focused on targeting and analytics, which gives us lots of feedback
Without a doubt, a five star very very easily. Sam is extremely knowledgeable and built me a website that was beyond what I was expecting. Throughout the process, every single time I had a question, Sam answered or returned my phone call, fixed any changes and in a very timely manner created a website I love. AND, Sam is a great guy who is very reasonable compared to anyone else out there. Can’t express it enough, use Sam at McKinney Creative Ventures.
Sam is a creative with a discerning eye and years of business/technology experience. It has been a delight and opportunity getting to know him.
Sam is an incredibly kind and patient person. He really takes the time to learn about your goals and how he can help. He cares about every detail and will work incredibly hard on your behalf. Don’t hesitate to say Yes to working with him. You will be in good hands.
Sam is amazing he has such a great deal of knowledge. He is patient when teaching how to the services he offers.I think more importantly he has integrity and a commitment to offering Quality and Service. My Company EyEs Unlimited believes in those principles. I recommend Sam to anyone who wants to get organized.
Amazing photos, capturing the skills and emotions of the games
Sam is one of the most committed professionals I know! He has amazing attention to detail and will make sure the job is done right. He’s a wealth of knowledge and is always eager to share. Highly recommend!
Certified Partners
Built On Platforms We Are Certified To Run
We hold active partner credentials with the platforms that power your marketing system, so the tools we build on are the tools we know inside and out.
Community & Memberships
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Let's talk about your business. Where you are now, where you want to go, and whether we are the right fit to help you get there. During your free discovery call we will explore opportunities to improve visibility, strengthen your marketing foundation, and create a plan for consistent growth. No pressure. No jargon. Just an honest conversation.
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