One Tough Cookie

 In this special episode, Marla takes you behind the scenes at the Grace Hollow Holiday Market, capturing real, unfiltered conversations with the small business owners who make this season shine. These quick vendor interviews are filled with heart, hustle, and the true spirit of supporting local during the holidays. Vendor Instagrams @GraceHollowMarkets @Soulfullysaid_byMichelle @banded.by.bloxham...

n this episode of One Tough Cookie , Marla sits down with Makaylah — owner of Ven-You , a Tri-Cities event space that has become a thriving hub for celebrations, workshops, pop-ups, and community connection. When Makaylah took over the business, she didn’t just continue what existed… she reimagined it . With intention, creativity, and a whole lot of grit, she transformed Ven-You into a space that...

Balancing Business, Motherhood & Mental Health with Tri-Cities Realtor Kayla Pratt  In this heartfelt episode, Marla sits down with Kayla Pratt, Tri-Cities realtor, former Miss Spokane Teen 2003 and Miss Spokane 2006, and mompreneur navigating the beautiful chaos of raising a family while building a thriving career. Kayla opens up about the real, raw, behind-the-scenes moments that don’t make...

Every small business has its quiet seasons; those slower months that test your patience, your confidence, and your passion. In this episode, Marla sits down with the owner of What’s The Scoop? , a beloved local ice cream shop known for their bold weekend-only hours and wildly creative flavors, to talk about the reality of running a business when things aren’t busy. Together, they dive into what th...

What started as a high school senior project turned into a 15-year-strong nonprofit changing lives across the Pacific Northwest. In this episode, I sit down with AnnErica , founder of Rascal Rodeo , to talk about how one small idea grew into a movement that gives individuals with disabilities the chance to be cowboys and cowgirls for a day. AnnErica shares how she turned her calling into a full-fl...

In this episode of One Tough Cookie , Marla sits down with Taeler, owner of Zipease, a local business owner who got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pitch her brand on Shark Tank. But here’s the twist — her episode never aired. She opens up about the highs, the nerves, the behind-the-scenes moments that viewers never got to see, and what it really taught her about resilience, courage, and cha...

Leaving a stable job to chase your own dream isn' t easy- it's terrifying. In this episode of One Tough Cookie, Marla sits down with Tania, owner of TC Cake Art who spent years helping build someone else's dream before finally finding the courage to chase her own. Together they talk about the fear, freedom, and fulfillment that come with walking away from what' s safe to create something that's tr...

From a tiny apartment oven to a thriving business. Built from pure grit, Marla shares the story behind Marla's Cookie Co. In this episode she opens up about how baking became therapy, how fear turned into courage, and how she built her dream one cookie at a time.

Official launch episode of the one tough cookie podcast!