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 the highlight reels: mom guilt, mental load, burnout, boundaries, and the constant pressure to “do it all.” Together, Marla and Kayla explore what it means to chase your dreams while also being present for the people who matter most.
This episode is a reminder that motherhood and ambition can coexist but it requires support, self-awareness, and a whole lot of grace. Whether you’re a small business owner, a mom juggling multiple roles, or someone needing reassurance in a heavy season, this conversation will meet you right where you are.
Topics We Cover:
• The truth about balancing clients, kids, and constant demands
• How Kayla prioritizes mental health in a high-pressure industry
• Realistic routines and boundaries that help keep life afloat
• Letting go of perfection and embracing growth
• Why guilt and grace often show up together
• Encouragement for moms building something of their own
Instagram: @tricitiesrealestate_kaylapratt
@marlascookieco
@OneToughCookiePod
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 the “slow season” looks like for a small, community-driven shop and how to stay motivated when foot traffic slows down and doubt starts to creep in. From navigating burnout to using downtime for creativity and flavor innovation, this conversation is full of honesty, inspiration, and the reminder that growth doesn’t only happen during your busiest times.
In This Episode, We Cover:
• The origin story of What’s The Scoop?
• Why they operate during unique weekend-only hours
• What a “quiet season” really looks like behind the scenes
• How to stay motivated when sales dip
• The creative process behind their wild and unexpected flavors
• Lessons learned from burnout, doubt, and slowing down
• How community support keeps them moving forward
• Why slow seasons can actually be the sweetest seasons
Why You’ll Love This Episode:
It’s real. It’s honest. It’s exactly what small business owners need to hear when they’re feeling discouraged or thinking no one else understands the ups and downs. This episode is your reminder that slower seasons are not setbacks, they’re part of the journey.
Connect With What’s The Scoop:
Instagram @whatsthescoop
facebook.com/whatsthescoopwa
TikTok @poutine.scoops.wa
Connect With One Tough Cookie:
Instagram:
@onetoughcookiepod
@marlascookieco
New episodes every week 🎙🍪
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-fledged 501(c)(3) organization — and how it continues to thrive thanks to the power of volunteers, sponsors, and an incredible community that shows up year after year.
This episode is about faith, purpose, and the beauty of collaboration — a reminder that no dream is too small, and no dreamer does it alone.
✨ Tune in to hear:
• How Rascal Rodeo began as a high school project
• What it means to follow the “desire in your heart”
• The power of community in keeping a mission alive
• How inclusion and compassion can transform a town
Because at the end of the day, it really does take a village — and this one is proof that together, we can do something truly extraordinary.
Want to Volunteer, Donate, or support? Click below!
http://rascalrodeo.org
Instagram @rascalrodeo
Facebook.com/RascalRodeo
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 chasing big dreams even when the spotlight doesn’t follow.
This is a raw and inspiring conversation about taking bold risks, betting on yourself, and redefining what success truly means.
Instagram: @Zipease
facebook.com/zipeaserompers
www.zipease.com
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 truly yours.
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!