Exploring Life & Business with Craig Mcilvain of CraigAds

Today we’d like to introduce you to Craig Mcilvain.

Hi Craig, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been fascinated by what makes people pay attention — what draws their eye, what makes them trust a brand, and what makes them take action. My journey into marketing started out of that curiosity and a desire to help small businesses stand out in a noisy world.

I started CraigAds after years of seeing local businesses struggle to find honest, effective marketing help. Too many were spending money without understanding what was working — or worse, getting “set it and forget it” campaigns that went nowhere. I wanted to build something different: a marketing agency that actually cares about relationships, transparency, and measurable results.

At first, it was just me — one laptop, a lot of late nights, and a passion for helping clients grow. I focused on learning everything I could: Google Ads, SEO, social media advertising, streaming, you name it. As results started coming in and referrals grew, I built a small team of talented people who shared my philosophy: service first, sales second.

Today, CraigAds works with local businesses and franchise brands across the U.S., helping them grow through strategy-driven advertising and consistent communication. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter campaigns — we believe in collaboration. I tell clients all the time, “The best marketing happens when we work together.”

That approach — staying engaged, creative, and relationship-focused — is what got us here and what keeps us moving forward.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I started CraigAds, I was wearing every hat imaginable: sales, creative, tech support, billing, you name it. There were moments where I questioned if I was crazy for trying to build something from scratch in such a competitive industry. Marketing moves fast — algorithms change, platforms evolve, and what worked last month doesn’t always work today. Staying ahead while keeping clients happy is a constant balancing act.

One of the biggest challenges early on was building trust. So many businesses had been burned by agencies that overpromised and underdelivered. I had to earn that trust one conversation, one campaign, and one result at a time.

Another struggle has been learning to delegate and build a team that reflects the same values I started with — service, integrity, and collaboration. Letting go of control isn’t easy when your name is on the business, but finding people who truly care about clients as much as I do has been one of the most rewarding parts of the process.

There have been late nights, tough months, and plenty of lessons learned the hard way. But every challenge pushed me to grow — both as a business owner and as a person. And honestly, that’s what keeps me passionate about what I do.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about CraigAds?
CraigAds is a digital marketing agency built on relationships, not just results. We’re based in Carrollton, Georgia, and we help local businesses and franchise brands grow through data-driven advertising — but what truly sets us apart is how we work with our clients.

We specialize in Google Ads, social media advertising, SEO, and streaming services — but more than that, we specialize in collaboration. We believe the best marketing happens when the client stays engaged. That’s why we don’t just launch a campaign and disappear — we meet with clients regularly, review performance, and strategize together. It’s about partnership, not a one-time transaction.

What makes CraigAds different is our service-first approach. We care deeply about doing the right thing for every client, even if it means saying, “Hey, that’s not the right move right now.” We’re honest, transparent, and focused on building long-term success instead of quick wins.

Brand-wise, I’m proud that we’ve built something real — a company with a personality. We don’t hide behind corporate jargon or inflated promises. We’re approachable, we’re human, and we genuinely want our clients to win.

For readers, the biggest thing to know about CraigAds is this: if marketing has been a pain, we’re here to make it make sense — and even make it fun again.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’d just say this — marketing doesn’t have to be complicated, and it doesn’t have to feel like a guessing game. When you work with people who care, who listen, and who take the time to understand your goals, it can actually be exciting. That’s what I want business owners to experience with CraigAds.

I’m incredibly grateful for every client who’s trusted us along the way. Each relationship matters, and every campaign is personal to us. We don’t see ourselves as just another agency — we see ourselves as an extension of our clients’ teams.

If there’s one thing I’d want readers to take away, it’s that great marketing isn’t about the latest trend or fancy buzzword. It’s about people, trust, and a shared vision for growth. That’s what drives everything we do at CraigAds.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://craigads.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigadsagency/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CraigAdsAgency/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/craigads/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@craigads
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@craigads

Image Credits
SQS Photography https://sqsphotography.com/