Michael Marks was born in June 1859 in Slonim, in what was then the Russian Empire, now Belarus. In 1881, with no money, he arrived in Stockton-on-Tees as the first wave of Jewish emigration began due to pogroms following the assassination of Alexander II. Starting his career as a trader's assistant, he attended fairs and markets, selling goods until 1884. That year, Isaac Dewhurst lent him five pounds, allowing him to open a stall at the market in Leeds. Over ten years, he managed eight cheap bazaars, using the phrase "Don't ask the price, it's a penny," which helped him overcome the language barrier. In 1894, he became a partner of Tom Spencer, a former cashier of Dewhurst. Thanks to his business success, Marks lived a happy family life in Manchester but suddenly passed away from a heart attack on New Year's Eve. In 1886, he married Hannah Cohen, and their son Simon, later Lord Marks of Broughton, successfully continued the family business.