Founder and CEO Marsha Ralls launched The Phoenix Wellness Retreat in 2018. Her goal was to create a space for personal inspiration, growth, and life transformation.
She is a leader in the hospitality, wellness and fine arts spaces, a certified yoga instructor and mindfulness coach. Drawing together her knowledge of fitness, nature, and art, Marsha designed a place for people to reconnect with their bodies, hearts, consciousness, and the natural beauty of the world around them.
From an early age, Marsha understood the power of community. Bringing like-minded people together has been a driving force behind every role she has taken on, from fitness instructor to single mother, global art dealer, entrepreneur and beyond. Marsha lives by the credo we are stronger together and create more impact when our purpose and vision align.
Before turning her attention to wellness, fitness and empowerment, Marsha made a significant impact on the Washington, DC, area, serving as a Commissioner for the Arts and Humanities under three mayors. Her legacy in Washington may well be the curation of 4,000 works of art for DC’s Marriott Marquis Convention Hotel.
Marsha’s string of successes includes serving as the President and CEO of Closed Monday Productions LLC, a company dedicated to advocating for the arts and consulting with entrepreneurs from across the world. She founded the internationally recognized global art advisory group, The Ralls Collection, Inc. She has curated over 449 exhibitions with prominent artists, including her mentor, Robert Rauschenberg, Ellsworth Kelly, Annie Leibovitz and showcased the work of five National Geographic photographers in the visual exploration “Cultures on the Edge.” This chronicle of traditional cultures was also shown at the United Nations.
Marsha has been recognized by multiple organizations for her commitment to entrepreneurship and community service. She was honored as National Woman of the Year by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in 2001, Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008 by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship and Enterprising Woman of the Year in 2019 by Enterprising Women.
She has been a servant leader and member of the global Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) for almost 25 years. Recognizing the need for women to support women in business and beyond, Marsha founded MyEO Women of EO in 2014. The EO US East region awarded her the Living Beyond Yourself award for those who display exemplary leadership and service. The Washington Business Journal noted Marsha in “Women Who Mean Business” as one of the top women business leaders in DC. Through her membership in the Economic Club of Washington, DC, she has served as a mentor for college students. She is also a member of the Conscious Capital Senior Leadership Network. Since coming to Asheville, she has joined the Director’s Forum and Collector’s Circle for the Asheville Art Museum.
Marsha founded The Phoenix with a desire to elevate humanity and give her clients the opportunity to slow down and pursue their dream of good health and well-being.