Marsha Martin is a creative product designer, businesswoman, and philanthropist. She is the founder of Onyx Brands, Inc., a company providing professional-quality beauty products to consumers since 1990.
Marsha began her career at the Walmart corporate office in Bentonville, Arkansas, where she worked alongside founder Sam Walton. Her passion for beauty and product innovation inspired her to launch Onyx Brands. In 2021, she sold a majority stake in the company and partnered with a private equity firm to support Onyx Brands Inc continued growth.
With a degree in cosmetology, Marsha brought technical expertise to the nail care category. Under her leadership, Onyx introduced professional polish removers, now the #1 product in the market, and was the first to bring pure acetone to retail consumers. The brand has since expanded into foot care, specialty bath, kids’ bath products, LED makeup mirrors, and beauty accessories—all at accessible price points. Onyx products are available in most major national retailers including Walmart, Target, Meijer, Dollar General, and TJ Maxx.
In addition to her work in beauty, Marsha is an active real estate builder and investor and serves as CEO of Dream Big Investments, LLC. Her portfolio includes waterfront residential developments along 30A in Florida, a shopping center and warehouse project in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and office building partnerships in Northwest Arkansas. Marsha says designing and developing real estate is much like product design, you dream it and watch it come to life! Recently Marsha has taken on a consulting role for a Walmart vendors to lead their launch at Walmart.
Philanthropy has long been central to Marsha’s life. She has served on the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association, Multiple Sclerosis, Enactus, and currently serves on the Razorback Foundation board at the University of Arkansas and she also chaired the Heart Ball for two years. Marsha has been a frequent guest speaker at American Heart Association GO RED events across the US.
When she is not developing new products or overseeing investments, Marsha enjoys attending Razorback sporting events with family and friends. She is known as the “Blonde in Boots” that sits courtside at Razorback basketball games. She is a proud “Mimi” to four granddaughters and one grandson. She loves relaxing on the water in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Alys Beach, Florida or watching their horses race.