Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Gibson.
Mark, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Interestingly, I didn’t start in tech or art sales—I started in hospitality. Years ago, I owned a small French café on Newbury Street in Boston, right in the heart of the city’s creative scene, surrounded by galleries, musicians, and constant creative energy. That environment shaped me more than I realized at the time.
Creativity was part of my foundation from the very beginning. My father, an inventor and an artist, drew me into the business world early—when I was just seven, he named his company, Mark Associates, after me, and showed me the ropes, including me in the processes of how it all worked. Growing up alongside him taught me how to solve problems by building something new, and how art has the power to make life more meaningful. Even as restaurants and careers changed over the years, my love of art and my instinct to invent never did.
Later, I met my partner Diane (now the Curator at OHM Yeah!), and we connected over music, travel, and art. I brought the mindset of an entrepreneur and lifelong builder; she brought her background in marketing and website design. Together, we kept noticing the same thing: online art had become noisy and transactional, and the emotional connection between artist and collector was getting lost.
That’s what led us to create OHM Yeah!—a marketplace built around intention. Every piece is handcrafted, every artist is independent, and every listing has a story. Our community includes both emerging artists finding their voice and established creators, including a three-time Emmy Award–winning artist. We believe meaningful art comes from many stages of the creative journey, and all of it deserves to be seen and valued.
Although I’ve held many titles over the years, my current role as Chief Zen Officer feels like a natural extension of who I am. After decades of building, fixing, and pushing forward—and 45 years of Uechi-Ryu karate and martial arts training—I’m more focused on clarity than speed, and on purpose over scale. Martial arts have taught me discipline, patience, and respect for process—all lessons that now guide how I lead and support what we’re building.
My job is to protect the vibe, the calm, and the philosophy behind the platform—to make sure that if something doesn’t have intention, it doesn’t belong.
Where I am now feels like a full-circle moment—bringing together hospitality, invention, art, and lifelong practice into a space that values human connection. OHM Yeah! isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing things with care. And at this point in my life, that feels exactly right.
We’re always looking for passionate artists and makers to join the OHM Yeah! community.
Start Your Artist Journey at OHM Yeah! Here:
https://ohmyeah.com/join-us/
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth is not the word I’d use—I’d say interesting. I’ve been in business a long time, and things change fast. Being an entrepreneur and an idea person—and growing up in that environment—there’s always a new avenue to explore, a new idea to chase.
Over the years, I’ve had some national hits, like a medical alert fob that helps first responders know any health issue you may have, and a grab-and-go tote designed to hold all your essential documents in case of emergency. And yes, I’ve had plenty of ideas that didn’t pan out. The lesson? Every experience—whether it succeeded or fell short—taught me something valuable, giving me insight into what works, and sometimes what doesn’t.
To me, OHM Yeah! feels different and genuinely exciting. It reflects my own journey while meeting a real need for people seeking authenticity in an increasingly AI-driven world.
We give real artists—people who pour their heart and creative soul into their work—not just a voice, but their own spotlight. Each artist has an individual shop that reflects who they are and the story behind their work. It’s a platform that stands apart from the overcrowded commercial art marketplaces out there. At OHM Yeah!, we value story and individuality as much as quality, and we’re intentional about showing that in the way we truly support and elevate our artists.
Ultimately, I see OHM Yeah! as a supportive community helping artists and makers along their creative journeys. After all my years navigating ideas and businesses, I understand the importance of that kind of support—and I believe the world, and art lovers especially, are ready for this kind of experience. I think there’s a growing desire for more creativity, for real art and real connection, and for art to once again bring us together in a meaningful way. With the help of my partner and our incredibly talented artists, I like to think we have the experience to help make that happen.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have a unique role at OHM Yeah!—I’m the Chief Zen Officer. It’s not a title that’s given so much as one that finds you over time. For me, it’s less about a label and more about taking care of the space we’re creating. I focus on how the marketplace feels—to the artists sharing their work and to the people bringing that work into their lives.
A big part of my job is paying attention. Noticing when something feels aligned and when it doesn’t. In a world that moves fast and often values volume over meaning, I help slow things down just enough to make sure intention stays at the center of everything we do.
I spend a lot of time thinking about experience—how artists feel when they’re truly supported, how collectors feel when they discover something that genuinely speaks to them, and, most importantly, what happens when those two moments meet. That authentic connection between artist and collector is at the heart of OHM Yeah!—it’s what gives the platform its energy, its meaning, and what ultimately makes it work.
What I’m most proud of is helping create a place where people feel comfortable being themselves—where artists feel respected and never lost in a sea of sameness, and where collectors feel invited to engage, not rushed to buy. That sense of care, balance, and individuality is what truly makes OHM Yeah! different.
At the end of the day, my role is simple: if something doesn’t carry intention, heart, or honesty, it doesn’t belong at OHM Yeah! And when everything clicks—when the energy feels creative and real—that’s when I know I’m doing my job.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was curious and constantly on the move. I was always building something, taking things apart, or finding a new way to keep busy. Sitting still was never really my thing.
I loved being outdoors—sports, skiing, sailing, riding my pony Charger, even pheasant hunting. A lot of our time as a family was spent in Maine and New Hampshire, surrounded by nature. Those places felt like open invitations to explore, experience, and appreciate the world around you.
I was lucky to have parents who believed in including us kids in everything—getting outside, trying new things, and chasing a little adventure whenever we could find it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ohmyeah.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohmyeah_marketplace/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579518951514
