Merrily McDonald
Business-minded. Creative by nature. Digital by experience.
Yoga Teacher & Digital Strategist
I turn complicated websites, disconnected marketing, and frustrating digital systems into experiences that make sense for businesses and their customers.
I’ve taught yoga for more than 20 years.Somewhere along the way, I got really good at building websites, untangling digital messes, and helping small businesses grow.Turns out, both are about the same thing: figuring out what’s getting in the way—and creating a better path forward.
I started out studying computers and business systems at a small business college and landed a job at Chrysler. By 23, I was leading a project that saved the company $1 million a year and speaking at the Detroit Economic Club.
Then I left Chrysler to be a mom.
Years later, yoga became a deep part of my life. In 2014, Village Yoga was given to me. The catch? It was brand new.
So I had to build visibility, trust, and awareness from scratch. No big team. No fancy budget. Just me, figuring out websites, Google, Facebook, and how to get people in the door.
I learned the hard way — by making mistakes, staying curious, and refusing to quit. That experience shaped the way I work today.
EIP Metro Program Facilitator
I develop and facilitate educational programs for EIP Metro, including the weekly WISH anger-management and life-skills group and Economic Crime classes. I create curriculum, worksheets and supporting materials designed to help participants understand patterns, recognize consequences, manage emotions and make better choices moving forward.
Slow/Yin Yoga with Merrily
Slow/Yin Yoga is a chance to slow things down, move with intention, and spend a little more time listening to your body.We combine slow, accessible movement with longer-held Yin poses to support strength, mobility, balance, and flexibility.No experience necessary. Join me live on Zoom every Wednesday at 6 PM Eastern. Bring a mat and come exactly as you are.
RECENT WORK
EIP Metro
I’m helping EIP Metro modernize from the inside out—new branding, a new website, clearer programs and forms, and a web-based system to bring client information and day-to-day operations together.
Al Brown's Holistic Healing Centers of Michigan
I walked in to build a website and walked out believing in what Al Brown does. After spending weeks learning about Al, his team, his treatments, and the people he has helped when they thought there was no hope, I rebuilt the entire digital experience to finally tell that story—clearly, beautifully, and in a way people can actually find.
Órale Mexican Restaurant (CLOSED)
The food is incredible, but the website wasn’t doing it justice. I rebuilt the site so the online experience finally matched the quality of the food—and made it easy to find what they need.
On-Demand Services
This started as a bare-bones Wix site that wasn't pulling its weight. I migrated it to Shopify, rebuilt it from the ground up, and plugged it into Google and Meta —so it actually works.
Local Soup
Local Soup started as a simple Squarespace brochure. I moved the store over to Shopify, put the right systems in place for it to scale, and wrote content that gave it a personality people could connect with—one that actually sells.
Unite to Face Addiction Michigan
For more than 10 years, I built and managed UFAM Michigan’s digital presence. I moved the organization to Shopify, rebuilt the site and registration systems, managed ongoing content and campaigns, and transformed an underperforming Google Ad Grant into a working digital marketing channel. After a decade of hands-on involvement, I transitioned day-to-day management of the organization to its leadership in 2026.
SKILLS
Shopify • WordPress • Carrd • SEO • Google Ads • Facebook & Instagram Ads • Google Analytics • Tag Manager • Merchant Center • Search Console • AI tools • Social graphics • Print design • Adobe Creative Suite • Adobe Express • Google Workspace • Microsoft 365