Story & Lesson Highlights with Bledar Gashi of Los Angeles

We recently had the chance to connect with Bledar Gashi and have shared our conversation below.

Bledar, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Who are you learning from right now?
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to share a little about my story! I’m at an interesting time in my life. I recently graduated, and like many of my peers, finding a job has been quite the challenge this year. I’m working on building a career in the entertainment industry. However, with the current economic state of the country, filming has slowed down a lot, which of course makes it harder for newer people to break into the industry. This industry, much like others, has always been very challenging to succeed in, but from what I’ve seen, in its current state, it feels especially difficult.

I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some amazingly talented people this year, producers, directors, and fellow actors, each at very different stages of their careers. Some have been working in the industry for years, while others, like myself, are still trying to break in. Learning from their experiences has been incredibly eye-opening and grounding.

Becoming successful in the entertainment industry is something many people have done before, and while there’s no blueprint for success, there are definitely paths and habits that are known to help move a career forward. Networking is huge, but at this point in my career, I’m focused less on simply meeting people and more on building meaningful connections. I’m also studying the journeys of successful actors, how they started, the choices they made, and the challenges they faced, to see what lessons I can apply to my own path. Alongside that, I pay close attention to how experienced professionals carry themselves, make decisions, and sustain long-term careers, while also learning alongside peers who are navigating the same uncertainties I am.

Learning from people who are actively doing the things I hope to do, at every level of experience, feels like the most valuable move I can make right now.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an actor focused on film and character-driven storytelling. What excites me most about acting is the opportunity to step into different lives and perspectives and to help bring stories to the screen that resonate with audiences across cultures.

I grew up in Belgium and later moved to the United States, where I initially came to play college tennis while pursuing my interest in acting. Over time, storytelling became the path I felt most drawn to, particularly projects that explore complex human experiences and emotional depth.

Recently, I’ve been especially focused on independent film projects that push creative boundaries. One of the projects I’m most excited about is called Afterlife, a film produced as part of the MFA program at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and directed by Fiyin Gambo, a successful Nigerian director. I play a starring role in the film, Hassan, a young man in an extremist group in Yemen who develops a strong friendship with the main character, Ahmed. Hassan represents one of the many vulnerable young people searching for belonging and identity, only to be pulled into a world of radical ideology and violence. Playing this role required exploring the emotional and psychological layers behind someone who has taken such a path.

Being part of a project like that has been incredibly meaningful to me. As a Muslim, it felt important to contribute to a story that approaches complex issues with nuance and humanity rather than stereotypes. The film is currently being submitted to several of the world’s major film festivals, and we’re very excited about the possibility of sharing it with international audiences.

More broadly, the work I’m focused on right now is continuing to collaborate with filmmakers who want to tell meaningful stories that connect across cultures. As someone who grew up in Europe and is now building a career in Los Angeles, I’m especially drawn to projects that bring together different perspectives and explore universal human experiences.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Growing up as the child of immigrant parents, I felt a strong responsibility to succeed. My parents sacrificed everything to give me opportunities they never had, so I believed I had no choice but to become a high achiever. From a young age, I truly believed that if I worked hard enough, I could achieve anything.

I carried that belief into tennis and pushed myself relentlessly. That mindset took me far, and it gave me a strong work ethic that I’m still grateful for. But around the age of 19, I hit burnout for the first time. I realized I was putting in endless effort without much direction. I was working hard, but not smart.

What I no longer believe is that hard work alone is enough. Today, I understand that growth also requires strategy, balance, and learning from others. That shift in mindset has been just as important to my journey as the work ethic itself.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most has been the fear of other people’s opinions. For a long time, I worried about what my family, friends, or people from back home might think if I didn’t succeed right away, or even while I was still figuring things out. The idea of being judged or talked about made me second-guess myself more than I should have.

Over time, I’ve learned that this fear is limiting and unfair, to myself and to the journey I’m on. While it still creeps in occasionally, it no longer controls my decisions. I’ve come to understand that growth requires risk, and that other people’s opinions don’t define my path. Letting go of that fear has allowed me to move forward with more confidence and freedom.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that family truly matters most to me. Everything I’m working toward, besides it being my personal dream, is rooted in wanting to take care of my family. They’ve worked incredibly hard for a long time and sacrificed a lot, often putting their own happiness aside. Being able to support them, treat them, and give them a more comfortable and joyful life is a huge motivation for me and drives many of the decisions I make.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Honestly, my long-term investments in the stock market. It’s definitely not something that pays off right away, but I’m trying to think long-term and set myself up for the future. It’s one of those things where the payoff is years down the line, not now.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bledargashi.carrd.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bledargashi0708/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bledar-gashi-55814224a/
• Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bledar_gshq