Meet Marina Mara

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marina Mara and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marina, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I have always approached life with an investor mindset, viewing risk as the price of potential and opportunity. For example, when you invest in international shares, you enter markets characterized by greater volatility, economic fluctuations, and political uncertainties. This heightened risk is a double-edged sword: it can yield substantially higher returns or lead to significant losses. On the other hand, a cash investment offers security at the cost of opportunity, providing modest returns in exchange for stable, low-risk growth.

Those who embrace high-risk ventures—whether in careers, relationships, or personal growth—open themselves up to the possibility of failure but also to the chance for extraordinary success and fulfilment. Conversely, those who avoid risk may find comfort in predictability but often miss out on transformative experiences that may only occur once in a lifetime. The essence of risk lies in recognizing that the magnitude of reward and momentum is intrinsically linked to the willingness to embrace uncertainty, and I befriended uncertainty a long time ago!

I have a high appetite for risk because I’ve built solid foundations in both my business and personal life, which help mitigate risk in most situations. Think of it like shock absorbers on a car. While I’ve noticed that many around me can be paralyzed by fear when faced with decisions involving risk, I tend to make such decisions more quickly than regular ones. I’ve learned that momentum is paramount, and over-deliberation in the pursuit of safety can be the real hazard.

Risk has catapulted me into new global markets, where, like a domino effect, I was able to grow both my life and business exponentially. The real challenge wasn’t taking those risky leaps but standing firm against those around me who continually advised me not to. Embracing risk has been the catalyst for my greatest achievements, proving that sometimes the biggest obstacles are not the risks themselves but the voices urging caution.

My advice? Identify your risk profile, and like a muscle, work on strengthening it. The more you exercise your capacity for risk, the more confident and agile you’ll become in navigating uncertainty. Over time, this resilience can become one of your greatest assets, empowering you to seize opportunities that others might shy away from.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I founded and own an international media, brand, and reputation management agency, now approaching the end of its second decade! While other agencies faltered, especially after the pandemic, we’ve experienced sustained growth and built a global reputation. I attribute this success to our unique agency model, which disrupted traditional PR firm retainers and conventional branding studio offerings. Our ‘why’ is also our most significant differentiator. While others focus on branding and PR, we focus on reputation—branding and PR are simply the vehicles we employ to achieve that.

Over my 18 years with the agency, I’ve gained invaluable insights into people. In the early days, I was naive, but my leadership evolved significantly through encounters where others tried to harm or exploit me. Integrity is a core value I live by, but I’ve learned that not everyone shares this virtue. While these experiences were painful, both emotionally and financially, I now see them as blessings. They taught me to set stronger boundaries, protect myself legally, and sharpen my discernment in choosing who to trust within my circle of influence.

What do I want the world to know? It’s not really about me or my story but about what my brand and journey can offer others. I’m committed to putting reputation on the global agenda because I believe it’s the fastest-growing area of development for individuals, ventures, and corporations. Although it’s a discipline that remains largely untapped, I’m working to change that by providing significant education, mentorship, and advisory services on how to harness reputation to scale, grow exponentially, and become inimitable and sovereign in ever-changing markets and economies.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My L.A. itinerary is for anti-tourists! First, I highly recommend staying in historic downtown L.A. Many might raise an eyebrow at this suggestion due to its reputation as a high-crime area. Still, DTLA is the city’s historic core, featuring iconic early 20th-century landmarks and has been gentrified. It combines architectural grandeur with modern revitalization, creating a vibrant mix of history and culture. It’s also home to the Crypto.com Arena, and if you’re visiting L.A., you can’t miss a Lakers game—American basketball is full of life!

For design and architecture aficionados, there are so many landmark spots.
The Stahl House, or Case Study House #22, is an iconic 1959 mid-century modern gem in the Hollywood Hills. It offers breathtaking panoramic views and symbolizes sleek, modernist design. The Eames House, or Case Study House #8, is a 1949 modernist masterpiece in Pacific Palisades, designed by Charles and Ray Eames, who also designed the famous Eames lounge chair. It embodies innovative design and blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings. You can tour the family home, which has remained unchanged over time—truly an experience.
The Getty Center, designed by Richard Meier, is a hilltop marvel in Los Angeles, celebrated for its striking modern architecture, beautiful gardens, and breathtaking panoramic city views.

Even though L.A. is a big city, there are plenty of nature walks with breathtaking views.
Runyon Canyon is a popular hiking spot in Los Angeles, offering stunning views of the city and a taste of nature just minutes from the urban hustle. Its trails are a favorite among locals for outdoor exercise and panoramic vistas. As a bonus, you get aerial snapshots of celebrity mansions—if that’s your thing!
The Culver City Stairs, located at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, offer a challenging workout with 282 steps (and these are not baby steps) leading to sweeping views of Los Angeles. If you want to push yourself with a ‘gasping-for-air’ workout rewarded by panoramic views, this is a must!

Want the best omakase in town? You must visit Sushi Zo in Downtown L.A., a hidden gem where the chef crafts a personalized tasting menu using the freshest ingredients of the day. Guests can interact with the chefs and even share a sake toast—Kanpai!
Delilah in West Hollywood is a moody-lit, 1920s-inspired restaurant and lounge famous for its upscale American cuisine and speakeasy vibe. A hotspot for celebrities, it offers an exceptional dining experience accompanied by live entertainment and star-studded sightings.

The list is endless, and this is a start. Avoid the typical tourist hot spots and opt for a more authentic itinerary that allows you to experience the heart and soul of Angelenos!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to credit my success to an inspiring person, as I often hear others do, but the truth is, I’ve never believed in or relied on gurus, nor have I idolized anyone who has been ahead of me or in a higher position at any given time. From my experience working with public figures and people of influence, I’ve learned that everyone is flawed. Some of the people I once admired, who I thought could mentor me, were a hit one year and gone the next. What I’ve come to value instead is tenure and sustained success.

Instead of relying on individuals for inspiration and guidance in my growth, I’ve learned to extract insights and validated tips from a wide range of people I encounter. Everyone has something valuable to share, and I’ve found that by gathering these nuggets of wisdom from diverse sources, I can continuously enrich my journey.

With that in mind, I invest heavily in events and private memberships that grow my network. In the context of this interview, I would like to give a shoutout to Summit, a curated community I am part of that is made up of the world’s most diverse makers and leaders. During a three-day Summit event in LA some years ago, I met my best friend from Los Angeles and one of my closest collaborators from Chicago, who is now my co-founder in my third venture. We connected magnetically out of 3,000 people at the event, and our bond has been solid and transformative ever since.
I recently saw them both in L.A. and shared that I can’t imagine a ‘sliding doors’ version of life where we might have missed the chance to meet. My life’s trajectory would be entirely different, as they’ve brought immense value and joy to me, both personally and professionally.

Website: https://marinamara.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellomarinamara/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinamara/ 

Image Credits
Aubrey Jonsson