June 11, 2025

This piece is sponsored by Click Rain Inc.

Work hard, play hard — and if you’re lucky, do both at once.

That’s James Krueger’s mentality.

Krueger is a partner and chief marketing officer at Click Rain Inc., a Sioux Falls-based company that owns Click Rain and Lemonly. While he oversees both agencies, his daily duties focus primarily on sales and marketing at Click Rain, where he leads in a way that is approachable, intentional — and, most importantly, enjoyable.

“We gotta have fun in what we’re doing,” Krueger said. “Certainly, we’re doing serious work, and you need to move the needle for clients, but if you’re not having fun while you’re doing it, what’s the point? Life is too short!”

Those who work with Krueger know there is no shortage of humor whenever he’s around.

Take it from Natalie Eisenberg, Click Rain Inc. partner and CEO, who has worked with Krueger for years and notes his wit and ability to bring lightness to any situation.

“Working with James makes every day better — no matter how busy or heavy things get, he always finds a way to bring energy, laughter and positivity into the room,” she said.

Krueger started at Click Rain in 2010. He began on the account team — selling, managing and launching campaigns and other client initiatives. As the agency grew, so did his role. He rose through the ranks and became a partner and chief marketing officer in 2013.

Today, he is the “tip of the spear as it relates to new business,” where his work largely focuses on aligning new clients’ needs with Click Rain’s services. He digs deep into their true goals and strategizes in ways that are most effective.

When meeting with potential clients, Krueger looks for more than just business alignment — he considers whether they’ll be a good fit for a long-term partnership. Will they mesh well with the Click Rain team? Will they support the agency’s values and culture? By asking these questions, Krueger helps ensure that each project begins with a strong client-agency relationship that can grow over time.

With 15 years at the company, Krueger also maintains relationships with many of Click Rain’s legacy accounts.

By finding joy in every project, making new connections and bringing humor to the workday, Krueger aims to make Click Rain a fun, encouraging and inspiring place to be.

Faith, family, work — in that order

Click Rain has established four core values: balance, integrity, excellence and others before self. One value that resonates deeply with James Krueger is balance — encouraging employees to prioritize their lives by putting faith, family and work in that order.

Promoting balance has become a key factor in Click Rain’s success.

“There are typically two reasons employees and clients choose us,” Krueger said. “One: Our team is truly the digital experts in what we do. And two: We believe faith and family come first, which really guides us to make people-centered decisions.”

Click Rain leadership emphasizes balance as a core value to ensure that employees aren’t overwhelmed.

“We take pride in being anti-burnout,” Krueger said. “It’s not long hours and churn-and-burn like many agencies. We want people to come here and grow as individuals. We walk with our team members through whatever phase of life they’re in — that’s a big deal for us, versus just working an 8-to-5 and punching the clock.”

The agency thrives by putting people over profits. Providing employees with true work-life balance — time outside of work to focus on themselves — is integral to Click Rain’s structure.

Krueger attributes the company’s healthy culture and strong employee satisfaction to its commitment to these values.

“It’s the ‘why’ behind everything we do. It’s why our work is awesome, our team members are awesome, we have very little turnover, and great clients are drawn to partnering with us,” he said.

Leading with intentionality and joy

Krueger approaches leadership by letting his actions speak for themselves — staying busy, growing connections, helping others be their best and, of course, finding moments to spread joy. He doesn’t just talk about encouraging others — he lives it out daily.

He draws inspiration from one of his favorite quotes: “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words as necessary.” Leading by example and knowing that actions often speak louder than words are key to his leadership style.

Krueger also is known for bringing joy and humor into business. Colleagues say he makes a typical day in the office more enjoyable.

“He makes work feel less like work,” Eisenberg said. “His positivity makes every project, every meeting a lot more fun.”

In addition to joy, Krueger leads with structure and clarity. He creates an organized environment that prioritizes tasks and reduces miscommunication, preventable errors and unnecessary stress.

“A good 12-month strategic plan or a good website shouldn’t have fire after fire that you’re putting out. Everything can’t be an emergency,” Krueger said. “There are bigger things than marketing. Employees are human, so leading with clear plans and organization helps them avoid burnout.”

His thoughtful leadership hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“I’ve learned so much about sales and client service from James,” said Paige Ratzloff, director of account service. “He is a fantastic mentor and is always willing to help me and the rest of the account team on new business opportunities. He is the master of building relationships and always knows how to sprinkle some fun and laughter into the mix.”

Champion of the community

Krueger is a Sioux Falls native and has lived in the city all his life.

“I’m a huge fan of Sioux Falls. It’s a great place to grow up, raise a family and own a business,” he said.

When he’s not in the office, Krueger is busy using his free time to give back. He serves on several community-focused organizations, including the Downtown Sioux Falls Business Improvement District, where he helps guide decisions that enhance the downtown area — creating a space where the community can come together and businesses can thrive.

He also sits on the boards of Mission-Haiti and Empower Sioux Falls, two nonprofit organizations focused on outreach and service. These groups support individuals in poverty by providing educational opportunities and connecting them to critical services and facilities.

Through these organizations, Krueger is able to invest in the city he loves and support causes close to his heart.

“It’s a big deal to not only give of your finances but of your talents too,” he said.

Krueger’s heart for others is reflected in his actions — as a leader, a believer and a community member. It’s through service that he spreads joy and uplifts those around him.

Whatever you do, just try

For seasoned marketers and those just stepping up to the plate, the digital world can feel daunting. Keeping up with new technology, shifting marketing budgets and evolving consumer trends is a constant challenge.

But in Krueger’s view, it’s all part of the process. The key is to take a swing, see what works — and not fear failure.

“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes,” Krueger said. “Just keep trying.”

At Click Rain, he works to create a culture where employees feel safe to do just that. He understands that mistakes are inevitable — but encouraging team members to keep at it fosters a healthier, more supportive work environment. It’s a key outcome of the agency’s people-centered philosophy.

“We truly keep our people at the center of everything we do, and I believe that’s why we’ve had success,” he said.

By looking for the light in every situation, bringing laughter to every meeting and leading with faith-based, people-first principles, Krueger demonstrates what it means to lead by example. His positive attitude and humor create a workplace that is fun and lighthearted — a place where people are encouraged to try, make mistakes, learn and try again.