Where Thoughtful Storytelling Meets Meaningful Results

The Minns Creative Approach

You know that feeling when you discover your perfect coffee shop?

The barista remembers your name and your order. The music and lighting set the mood just for you. And the chatter around you makes you feel like you're at home among friends.

That's the kind of response we craft for your business—turning 'just popped in for coffee' into 'this is where I start my day every morning.’

For over a decade, Minns Creative has been helping small-to-medium-sized businesses connect with the people who need them most. Businesses that enhance people's everyday moments in meaningful ways.

But here's the thing: having something great isn’t enough if your words and images aren't helping it stand out.

Think of us as your business’s favorite storyteller.

We help you:

  • Uncover what makes your business stand out

  • Craft messages that feel like a conversation with a trusted friend

  • Create imagery that tells your story in a way people can’t forget

  • Build a library of content that keeps working for you, month after month

  • Transform “Just Popped In” to “This is Where I Start My Day Every Morning”

THE RESULT?
Communication that works as hard as you do, bringing in the right people while you focus on what you love most—running your business and making people's lives better, one product, place, or service at a time.

MEET CARRIE MINNS
Founder & Chief Storyteller

I’ve always been drawn to the stories that connect people—one human to another.


Growing up on Whidbey Island, Washington, I can’t remember a time I wasn’t creating—art, music, food, words, photographs. Back when the internet was young and before social media had a Like button, I found a home for my love of photography and storytelling with a simple blog featuring recipes and stories from my life.

This project blossomed into something bigger than I could have imagined: a decade as a guest chef on Portland's AMNW live TV morning show, a three-year column in 1859 Oregon's Magazine, the launch of my photography business in 2012, and the publication of my book La Pomme de Portland: The Mingling of Food, Family, and Life.

Along the way, I discovered something important: whether I was photographing a family recipe or writing about a neighborhood restaurant, the food itself wasn’t what made it memorable—it was the stories behind it.

The traditions, the conversations, the setting, the people gathered around the table—all those little details that turn something ordinary into something unforgettable.

This same philosophy guides my work at Minns Creative today. After photographing over 500 people and countless businesses, I discovered that the same ingredients that make a meal memorable—attention to detail, genuine care, thoughtful presentation, and connection—are also what make your business stand out and help the right people naturally find their way to you.

When I’m not crafting stories and visuals for clients, you’ll find me walking in the Northwest rain with my golden retriever co-worker, spending time at my favorite Portland coffee shops, or dreaming up new ways to make business communication feel more human.

Ready to share your story? Let’s start with a conversation about what makes your offering uniquely irresistible.

Our approach blends strategic thinking with genuine warmth. No corporate speak. No empty buzzwords. Just real communication that connects because we've learned that's what turns curious visitors into loyal customers.

We believe the best marketing feels like a conversation with a trusted friend.

It's clear, honest, and focused on what matters most to your audience. And like all good relationships, it's built on understanding what makes you uniquely you.

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(No bland corporate speak, we promise - just helpful tips served with a side of wit.)