Mark Steiner—cofounder of GigSalad—sat down with Ramon Ray for a candid, heart-forward conversation about identity, perseverance, and the quiet choices that compound into a 20-year “overnight” success. From an adoption story that shaped his perspective to a scrappy, bootstrapped marketplace that now moves tens of millions for performers and event pros, Mark pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build something useful, humane, and durable.

Related – Gigsalad review

Key Points

• Early creative ambitions (theater, film) evolved into a career in talent and, eventually, a marketplace founder’s journey.
• GigSalad began as a simple directory to serve local and regional talent—bootstrapped, profitable, and focused on UX from day one.
• Growth was steady and SEO-driven, with no outside funding, careful cash management, and team-first culture.
• Mark’s personal adoption story reframed as “rerouted, redirected” informs his ethos of building businesses that do good.
• Practical advice for founders: wear many hats early, hire for your gaps, build a values-based culture, and ship “pretty + useful.”
• Tips for creators on GigSalad: collect ratings, present pro-level media, and close cleanly with availability + price.

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From Stage Dreams to a Founder’s Calling

Mark’s early path ran through high-school musicals, a culinary pivot, and a fast entry into New York’s film world—craft services by day, day-player roles when luck allowed. He realized that chasing “rich and famous” wasn’t the north star; service and sustainability were. That insight nudged him from production to representation—first at a boutique agency, then launching his own, and eventually adding a speakers bureau.

The Spark: A Simple Directory Becomes a Marketplace

Running his agency website unlocked a flood of inquiries from local and regional talent who didn’t fit his booking model. Rather than ignore them, Mark and cofounder Steve created a basic directory so artists could be discovered by nearby planners. That experiment became GigSalad—officially launching in 2007, reaching founder-paying sustainability by 2011, and expanding beyond performers to photographers, bartenders, caterers, and more.

Growth Without the Hockey Stick: SEO, UX, and Stewardship

GigSalad’s story is “slow and steady wins the race.” Early SEO traction mattered, but so did restraint: no debt, no VC, disciplined cash management, and relentless focus on clean UI/UX. The company kept an eight-hour-day ethos, prioritized family and team well-being, and let quality compound. The result: a large, healthy niche marketplace with durable word-of-mouth and repeat business.

Culture: Build for People, Not Just Profit

Mark frames leadership like stewardship. Hire people who complement your gaps, treat them well, and ensure the company’s rising tide lifts the whole crew. He rejects “growth at any cost,” preferring autonomy and a humane pace. The mission: help customers get off their screens faster and back to real-world moments—book the talent, close the tab, and go make memories.

The Personal Core: Adoption, Identity, and Meaning

Adopted through Catholic Charities, Mark grew up in a home that openly celebrated his arrival. Still, as a kid he wrestled with narratives of abandonment. Years later, a prayer-filled search reconnected him with his birth family in just 40 days—an experience he now describes as being “rerouted, redirected.” That perspective fuels his bias toward building things that are useful, kind, and life-affirming.

Advice to Founders (Marketplace or Not)

• Wear many hats early; hire for your gaps fast. Surround yourself with pros who do key things better than you.
• Design “pretty + useful.” Thoughtful UI/UX is a growth lever, not a garnish.
• Protect autonomy and cash flow. Profitability, no debt, and calm days beat flashy raises and chaos.
• Build for good. Choose models that reduce distraction and enlarge human connection.

How to Win on GigSalad: Practical Tips for Talent

• Stack ratings early. Book real gigs, over-deliver, and actively collect five-star reviews—ratings drive discovery.
• Look like a pro. Invest in crisp photos, a tight reel, clear bios, and act descriptions that set expectations.
• Close cleanly. Respond fast with availability + price, confirm details, and make booking frictionless.
• Play the long game. Referrals and repeat bookings stem from consistency and great on-site experiences.

What’s Next for Mark

With his cofounder bought out in 2022, Mark is investing in new creative chapters: returning to acting “for real,” advancing a social gaming app toward MVP, and expanding thoughtful real-estate plays. Empty-nest energy meets builder’s curiosity—he’s convinced his best decades are ahead.