Eva Martin and her husband, James, started as small-business owners in Chicago. Today, she is owner-operator of three Las Vegas McDonald’s locations.
They came to Las Vegas 20 years ago. Eva’s daughter, Robbie, was an assistant attorney general for the New York state attorney general’s office until recently, when she decided to join her mother in Las Vegas; today, she is training to become a franchise owner.
“I love what I do. I live it and breathe it every day,” Martin said, adding the ability to help other people is “what brings joy to my heart.”
She explained the key to her success most importantly, is never giving up. Martin said, “Putting God first, in the center of my life,” is important — “when you lift others up, they lift you up.”
With so many commitments, both to her businesses and to the community, she said, “I’m blessed with not getting tired.”
“The more I do, the more energized I get.”
Her energy, joy, and passion are contagious; when she interacts with customers and staff, she lights up the room.
When her husband died 12 years ago, she started the James and Eva Martin Charitable Trust, through Ronald McDonald House Charities, to honor their shared passion for education.
“I award scholarships each year in his memory,” she said.
Martin was instrumental in establishing the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas scholarship program in 1999 and brought together the committee to judge scholarship applications. Her philanthropy only begins here; she donates through her businesses and personally funds a scholarship fund. She supports community efforts such as Spread the Word Nevada, Three Square Food Bank, MAC Grants, and McTeacher’s Nights.
Martin’s message to other women: “Don’t be afraid. If an opportunity comes and knocks on your door, you step out there and take advantage of it. Don’t doubt yourself; believe that you can do it. If you happen to stumble, get up and learn from those mistakes and grow even wiser. You can do it.”
Martin’s every email ends with the words “Don’t limit your challenges, challenge your limits.” She shares those words, she said, because she lives by them.
— By Stephanie Annis
