his week’s episode is a little different — less “how-to” and more heart-to-heart.
After a deeply reflective year filled with both personal and professional shifts, I’m pulling back the curtain on what’s been happening behind the scenes: the challenges, the lessons, the pivots, and the exciting new direction for my business and this podcast as we head into 2026.
If you’ve been wondering what’s next for me or if you’re in your own season of refining, slowing down, and getting back to what truly matters — this one’s for you.
Inside today’s episode, I’m sharing:
✨ What this past year has really been like — balancing motherhood, loss, and leadership.
✨ The honest reflection that changed how I view growth and sustainability.
✨ A full breakdown of my new offers and what’s coming in 2026.
✨ Why this podcast is shifting into a behind-the-scenes, diary-style format.
✨ The return of Marra’s Classroom on YouTube — my new education-based space for strategy, frameworks, and teaching.
✨ How I’m blending the mentor and educator sides of my work — through storytelling, sustainability, and community.
This episode marks the start of a new season — one rooted in longevity, intentionality, and honest conversation.
If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to evolve your business while honoring your capacity and values, you’re going to feel right at home here.
Connect With Marra
You can’t scale what’s already draining you.
In this episode, we’re talking about what it actually takes to build a coaching offer that grows sustainably — one that supports your clients while protecting your energy, capacity, and freedom.
If your current offer requires constant access, overdelivering, or carrying every client’s success personally, this episode is your permission slip to rebuild it better.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
The 3 must-haves of a scalable and sustainable coaching offer
Why your offer process should be repeatable (and how to build one)
How to design a supportive container that doesn’t rely on unlimited access
How to make sure your offer promise matches your real capacity
The mindset shift from “adding more” to “building better”
This episode is for:
Coaches and consultants ready to refine their offers
Private practice owners expanding into coaching
Service providers creating a group or education-based offer
Entrepreneurs who want to grow without burning out
Mentioned in this episode:
👉 Offer Development Consulting — 3 months of customized support to audit your suite, design your scalable coaching offer, and position it for predictable sales. Learn more here: https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com/expand-elevate-embody
Don't forget to connect with me on Instagram -
Everyone talks about scaling but few talk about how it actually feels once you’re in it.
In this episode, I’m breaking down what scaling sustainably really looks like in daily life — not just in revenue or visibility metrics, but in the way your business feels, functions, and supports your energy.
We’ll explore the difference between the old way of scaling (hustle, chaos, and constant output) versus the sustainable way (alignment, simplicity, and systems that work with you — not against you).
You’ll hear real examples from my own business and my mastermind clients who’ve gone from burnout and overwhelm to calm, profitable, and fully aligned.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
✨ The real difference between traditional scaling and sustainable scaling
✨ What a sustainable business model looks like day-to-day
✨ How to build systems that protect your energy and increase impact
✨ Why doing less can actually lead to more growth
✨ The mindset shifts that redefine what success really means
If you’re ready to grow your business without losing yourself in the process, this episode will give you the clarity and inspiration to do it.
🎧 Tune in and learn how to scale sustainably — for real this time.
Mentioned in this episode:
→ Sit In For Free Scale Sustainably Mastermind: https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com/mastermind-free-sit-in
Come sit in completely free and experience the community, clarity, and calm that come with sustainable business growth.
Feeling overwhelmed by Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, email, and podcasts? You’re not alone. Most business owners think growth means showing up everywhere but that often leads to burn out and watered down messaging.
In this episode, I share how marketing simplicity can help you get visible, build trust, and convert clients—without the overwhelm. You’ll learn:
The three core marketing platforms you need to grow your business: visibility, nurturing, and converting
How strong positioning helps you stand out and attract your ideal clients
Smart content repurposing strategies that save time and amplify your message
Why repeating your messaging is key to sustainable growth
If you want to grow your business while actually enjoying the process, this episode is for you. Stop doing more and start doing better.
Key Takeaways:
Focus on fewer platforms but make them work harder
Build trust through nurturing platforms like newsletters, communities, or podcasts
Convert leads with clear strategies on sales calls, pages, or DMs
Repurpose content strategically for visibility, nurturing, and conversion
Repeat your positioning points to make your message stick
Connect With Marra
In business, we’re often told the answer to growth is “more.” More offers. More platforms. More hours. But more doesn’t always equal better — it usually equals burnout.
In this episode of Built to Last, I’m diving into what I call The Myth of More in Business Growth — why chasing “more” keeps so many entrepreneurs stuck, and what to focus on instead if you want your business to feel sustainable and aligned.
You’ll hear:
• My personal story of falling into the trap of “more”
• Why simplifying creates clarity and consistency
• The Applebee’s vs. fine dining analogy that changes how you view offers
• Signs you’re caught up in the Myth of More
• One powerful question to help you simplify this week
Want to go deeper? Join my free Slack channel where I share behind-the-scenes breakdowns of simplifying strategies for myself and my clients. This week, I’ll show you how I helped a client cut down from 13 offers to 4 — and why that shift will completely change her growth.
Join Here: https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com/the-sustainable-scale
Connect With Marra
Welcome to the first episode of " Built To Last: Business With Marra McDonald". I am Marra, a business growth consultant and sustainability mentor, and in this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my 2025—a year full of challenges, lessons, and transformations.
From navigating personal hardships like infant botulism, medical debt, and family loss, to maintaining client retention and growing my business despite reduced social media presence, I share exactly how I’ve leaned into a season of expansion.
I break down the three keys to my business success this year:
1 Strategic Offers – How each offer has a purpose, predicts income, and aligns with client growth
2 Marketing Strategy – Combining long-form, short-form, and referral-based marketing
3 Community & Positioning – Building genuine engagement that supports business sustainability
I also discuss my upcoming shift:
• Expanding services to serve both online and traditional business owners
• Teaching exactly how to grow sustainably through offer development and marketing
• Leveraging educational design to improve offers for coaches, service providers, private practices, and more
• Owning my voice, attending networking events, and speaking as a keynote
This episode is for entrepreneurs, coaches, service providers, and traditional business owners ready to learn how to build a sustainable, life-first business.
Connect With Marra
You don’t need another podcast teaching you the latest hack or overnight trick
You need a business that actually lasts — one that grows with you, fuels your life, and doesn’t burn you out
Welcome to Built to Last.
I’m Marra McDonald — a business growth consultant and online business sustainability mentor for entrepreneurs who are done chasing quick wins and ready to build something sustainable.
Each week, I’ll share the strategies, perspective shifts, and leadership lessons that will help you refine or expand your offers, simplify your marketing, and grow a business that’s profitable, purposeful, and truly built to last.
If you’re ready to stop building for right now and start building for what’s next then let’s dive in
Connect With Marra
In this raw, honest, and heart-led episode, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes season that led me to completely shift how I run my business—and ultimately gave life to the After Hours Club.
When my daughter faced a serious health crisis, everything changed. The long work blocks? Gone. The perfectly planned schedules? Out the window. What I was left with were short windows of time—twenty minutes here and there—and a question: Can this really be enough?
The answer was yes. And not just “barely getting by” yes, but instead “things are still growing” yes.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
What the last few months looked like behind the scenes (the real story)
How I used 20-minute work windows to keep my business moving
The surprising wins I created in the middle of the chaos
The exact method I now teach for focused progress in a short amount of time
Why this season inspired the creation of The After Hours Club
Whether you’re caregiving, side-hustling, deep in client work, or just trying to grow without burning out—this one’s for you. There is a way to run your business with less time, less pressure, and way more intention.
You don’t need ideal conditions. You need a rhythm that works in real life. And if you’ve been craving support that fits into your world instead of demanding more from it—The After Hours Club might be exactly what you need.
🎧 Tune in and let’s redefine what “enough time” really looks like.
✨ Resources Mentioned:
Episode 5 – Our Botulism Story & What It Taught Me About Life & Business
Let’s Connect!
Tag me while you’re listening [@marra.mcdonald] and tell me your biggest takeaway from today’s episode. And if this resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave a review—it means the world!
Welcome back to Late Night CEO! If you're tuning in while juggling dishes, curled up in bed, or squeezing this in between everything else—you’re exactly where you need to be.
In tonight’s episode, we’re digging into a challenge so many of us face: what to focus on when it all feels urgent. If you're building a business with limited time (like just an hour a day), this one's especially for you.
Here’s what we’re covering:
🌙 The Overwhelm Trap
Why it’s not a time management problem, it’s a sign that you care. But treating every task like it’s equally urgent leads to burnout and low momentum.
🌙 The Lens Method for Prioritizing
Learn how to choose one weekly focus lens—like revenue, capacity, or momentum to bring clarity and calm to your to do list
🌙 Grouping Your Days for Flow
Get a peek into the After Hours Club method for themed workdays. When combined with the Lens Method, it’s a chef’s kiss for making real progress with limited time.
🌙 Permission to Do Less
A gentle reminder that one meaningful action a day is enough. You’re not late, you’re just building in a different rhythm.
🌙 Bonus: Want to go deeper?🌙
I quietly launched a brand-new membership called The After Hours Club and it’s everything this episode walks you through, but with weekly calls, community, coaching, and accountability.
🔗 Join for just $55/month (for now!)
Lock in your founding member rate and start growing your business in a way that truly fits your life.
👉 https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com/late-night-ceo-club
Let’s connect:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marra.mcdonald/
Thanks for listening, After Hours CEO. You’re doing better than you think 💛
A $50K sales month? That’s great—but it doesn’t tell me how sustainable your business is. What does? How you handle the season that comes after the high.
Every real business goes through periods of slower sales. But the difference between businesses that survive and those that spiral? How they use the “low” season to build their next level.
Tonight, I’m breaking down:
🔹 Why slow seasons are often a chance for growth
🔹 How a current 1:1 client and I are using this time to refine her offers & positioning
🔹 The 4 step approach I use to navigate stagnation without panic-selling or burning it all down
If you’re in a slow season right now, you’re not failing. You’re in the part of the cycle that sets up your next wave. Hit play and let’s talk about it.
DM me "LATE NIGHT" on Instagram @marra.mcdonald if this hit home for you
Join the Late Night CEO Mastermind https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com/successfor-mastermind
Subscribe & leave a review if this episode spoke to you!
Connect With Me
Website: https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com
Substack: https://marramcdonald.substack.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marra.mcdonald/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marra.thelatenightceo?_t=ZT-8v4ih8roiOk&_r=1
Tonight, we’re diving into a topic that’s been on my mind after a fire conversation over on Threads—investing in coaching from a place of empowerment. Too often, we’re told we have to invest in a coach to succeed, but let’s be real—you don’t need to do anything. The real magic happens when you want to invest, when you see coaching as a way to amplify what you already have rather than a shortcut to success.
In this episode, I’m breaking down:
🔥 The difference between investing in coaching from a place of power vs. pressure
🔥 Why no coach (including me!) is a magic fix for your business
🔥 What a great coach actually does—and what they don’t do
🔥 How to know if investing in coaching is the right move for you
If you’ve ever felt pressured to invest in a program or mentor, this one’s for you. Tune in and let’s talk about making empowered decisions when it comes to your business growth.
Ways to Work With Me:
1:1 Coaching | Mastermind | New offer coming soon!
DM me on IG @marra.mcdonald to chat about which option fits your goals—no pressure, always empowerment.
Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a biz bestie who needs to hear this!
Connect With Me
Website: https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com
Substack: https://marramcdonald.substack.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marra.mcdonald/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marra.thelatenightceo?_t=ZT-8v4ih8roiOk&_r=1
Ever felt like you had to work during “normal” hours to be taken seriously in business? Same.
For the longest time, I tried to squeeze my work into the typical 9-5 schedule, thinking that working nights or weekends meant I had no boundaries. But here’s the thing—I work one full day a week and about an hour a day the rest of the time, and I still run two businesses, serve 27 clients, and show up as a present SAHM to my two littles.
In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on:
💤 My exact work schedule (for all you nosey ones 😉)
💤 How I built a business model that actually fits my life
💤 The four key areas you need to refine to create more flexibility
If you’ve been feeling stuck in the traditional business mold, this episode will be a game-changer for you. Let’s talk about what it really takes to build a business on your terms—without burning out.
Resources & Links:
Want first dibs on my new offer? Message me on Instagram (@marra.mcdonald) with the code phrase “We ride at dawn” for the inside scoop!
Need help creating a flexible, profitable business model? DM me "FLEX" and let’s chat about the best way to make it happen.
Loving the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who needs to hear this!
Work With Me
https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com
Connect With Me
Website: https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com
Substack: https://marramcdonald.substack.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marra.mcdonald/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marra.thelatenightceo?_t=ZT-8v4ih8roiOk&_r=1
Ever found yourself having a business breakthrough at the most random moment? That was me today as I was sitting in the Red Robin parking lot, drooling over fries. It hit me:
Business is a lot like ordering fast food. Some days, we crave the comfort of what we know—quick wins, familiar strategies, and safe choices. Other days, we’re ready to take a risk and try something new.
In this episode, I’m breaking down how business growth requires a balance of both. Are you sticking to the same strategies out of habit, or are you willing to experiment for long-term success? And—let’s get real—are you building a business that’s “fast and easy” like a burger, or one that’s truly nourishing and built to last?
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
💤Why business ideas strike at the most random times (yes, even in a Red Robin parking lot)
💤The connection between fast food and business growth decisions
💤When to stick with what works vs. when to experiment and pivot
💤How to shift from short-term wins to a sustainable business model
Work With Me
https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com
Connect With Me
Website: https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com
Substack: https://marramcdonald.substack.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marra.mcdonald/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marra.thelatenightceo?_t=ZT-8v4ih8roiOk&_r=1
If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to support you in growing a sustainable, profitable business.
If your goal is to increase your recurring income, signing more clients might not be the answer.
In this episode, I’m breaking down a simple yet powerful client retention strategy that has helped me achieve an 87% retention rate—and brought my clients their highest income months yet.
You’ll learn:
✅ Why only 18% of businesses have a retention strategy (and why you NEED one)
✅ How a simple review summary and renewal plan can bring in thousands more dollars
✅ A behind-the-scenes look at how my client made $4K from this exact strategy
✅ The key to making it easy for clients to say yes to working with you again
Retention is where the real money is, and today, I’m showing you how to tap into it.
Resources & Links:
Ready to refine your offers and increase retention? I have 3 spots left for 1:1 coaching in 2025—grab yours before they're gone! https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com/successfor-expansion
Let’s connect
Website: https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com
Substack: https://marramcdonald.substack.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marra.mcdonald/
If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps me create more content to support you in growing a sustainable, profitable business.
Things feel very heavy right now, and to be honest with you, I was not even going to make a podcast episode tonight; but then I remembered this:
My brand is all about navigating the ups and downs and entrepreneurship together and not only normalizing it, but growing as a leader through it all. So instead, in this episode , I will be telling you what is going on in life, and how I am handling it when it comes to my brand and business.
Who else can relate?
Signed the late night CEO.
Website: https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com
Today on a client call, I literally threw out a 3 month launch plan that was 10 pages long that my client and I worked on. Why? Because all it was doing was causing my client stress.
Instead, we made a four step launch plan and she is walking away excited to put it out into the world.
This is your reminder that you can be unconventional in how you run a business.
Signed the late night CEO.
Website: https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com
So today's mastermind call just hit different. Everyone was engaged, everyone walked away with an actionable step to implement in their business, and the coaches have clarity in how we can hold people accountable in the implantation process.
This got me thinking-- how often do people join masterminds expecting this, but walk away with only getting calls where they had 5 minutes to ask questions? Is that bad? No. But the problem is, it caps your learning.
We talk about how we facilitated this mastermind call and how you can in your mastermind; and if you are an online service provider looking for a mastermind, I discuss how to make the most of your experience.
Looking for a mastermind that encourages you to be an active participant in your learning? Look no more. Come sit in, completely free! Use this link to sign up
https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com/sit-in
Until next time, goodnight
Website: https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com
My job is not to tell you what to do, its to give you the tools necessary to help you reach your fullest potential, and thats what I help my clients do as they make their own programs
Today, we are breaking it down more
Until next time, goodnight
Website: https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com
From watching my 5 month old daughter fight for her life with botulism, to also making 25k in sales, this is the why behind sustainable business growth.
My philosophy we can build a sustainable business when we get intentional with our offers, marketing, messaging, and always growing in our leadership.
Until next time, goodnight
Website: https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com
I didn't post on social media today, and that used to send me into a spiral-- but just because I was not visible on Instagram today, doesn't mean I was not showing up
The same can be said about YOU when YOU might not show up a day, or two, or even three,
Today's business growth is all about the mindset. I hope it finds the right people
Until next time, goodnight
Website: https://marra-mcdonald.mykajabi.com
Substack: https://marramcdonald.substack.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marra.mcdonald/
