Meet John Gearries | I’m a SAG-AFTRA Actor, licensed realtor, and mortgage loan officer. I also am a producer and screenwriter.

I started my own business for a few reasons. First reason was for tax purposes. Second reason was for legal protection. I have two business. For my entertainment IP, movie production, and screenwriting I use Stronger Entertainment and have a separate business for acting, real estate and mortgage. This my real estate and acting business from my production business and vice versa.

I was discouraged by everyone not to act when I was young. Haters would say, “It’s not stable.” You can’t make a living doing it.” “It’s super expensive in Los Angeles.” “Your not an actor, you have to pay your bills from acting to call yourself an actor.” I could go on and on but inside I didn’t care. I knew what I wanted to do and was going to pursue my passion regardless of what anyone said. It just took me some time to get enough confidence to respond to all the hate I would get when I began working on my craft. So when I graduated college I began acting in all sorts of independent productions in the Midwest. I would travel hours to Chicago, Columbus OH, Louisville, KY and St. Louis, MS to act in independent productions.

During this time I was also working full time and attending night school to get my masters degree in business. After I obtained my MBA I decided it was my time to move to Los Angeles and it just so happened I met a producer at the Indy 500 who opened up a door for me to find housing and immediate work as production assistant in Los Angeles.

It’s my strong opinion that if you’re following your passion/dreams that God will find a way to lay out your path and give you signs. It’s on you to see those signs and act accordingly. When I put my mind towards moving to Los Angeles the universe made way for me to make it happen. So I’m a real believer in following your purpose and having faith in your calling.

As funny as it may seem, following my passion for acting actually got me involved in real estate and mortgage lending. Acting requires to work a job where you can make your own hours because you never know when you’re going to get booked. You could literally be in another country next week out of nowhere. Being in mortgages and real estate allows me to have a flexible schedule and work on my own time. The drive required for acting also gave me tough skin to deal with rejection in mortgages and real estate.

At the end of the day no matter what you do in business there’s going to be a lot of rejection. Rejection from potential customers, referral partners, and from friends or family that just don’t believe in you. Let that drive you becasue you have to believe you won’t fail. You can’t fail. And I tell you what, the only way to beat defeat is to outwork it. If you put in the hours, the dedication, and drive you’ll always win.

Ha, this is a fun question. Well Los Angeles is full of different things to do. If you’re new in the city I think you have to visit the Conservatory. The view is amazing. It’s like nothing you’ll ever experience. You can see all of Los Angeles. I’d also take my friend on a hike up Runyon Canyon. It’s like the most fashionable hiking scene in the world. It’s a great workout but you’ll catch celebs hiking up it all the time and everyone is dressed in the finest athletic gear.

Other cool spots to go to during the day are the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach Boardwalk, and Malibu Cafe. Oh and if you like to shop you have to walk the streets of Beverly Hills.

For the nightlife there are so many cool spots but I like going to Skybar at the Mondrian, The Rooftop Lounge at the Edition Hotel, and The Spare Room at The Roosevelt is always fun. Other low key spots are Harlowe, Bar Lubitsch, and No Vacancy.

Dinner I have to go with Boa Steakhouse, Mr. Nice Guy, Koi, and Delilah. All are the BOMB.

I would say one of my biggest mentor’s on becoming a better business man is my college Spanish Teacher Terry Rice. I assisted him in running for Indiana Senate in the early 2000s. He really influenced positive affirmations in myself, inspired me to reach my full potential, and study the guitar.

I’d have to give my acting inspiration to Clint Eastwood. Growing up, my father would play his westerns all the time and created a passion within me to become a film actor.

Filmmakers who have inspired me include Seth Rogan and Adam Sandler. I’m a comedian at heart and watching them write, cast, and produce their own creations gave me a drive to do it on my own.