We were lucky to catch up with Asit Vyas recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Asit, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
I draw my resilience from a profound belief that I am merely a participant playing a role in a larger script crafted by an unseen force. This perspective empowers me to bounce back from adversity and adapt to change with resilience.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Greetings, I am Asit Vyas, and my life’s journey is a captivating fusion of business acumen and an unrelenting creative drive. Before delving into the world of entertainment, I carved a remarkable career in the restaurant franchise industry, where I honed my entrepreneurial skills.
Between 1991 and 2004, I owned and operated six Burger King restaurants in San Jose, CA, and later extended my reach by overseeing 23 Pizza Hut restaurants in Connecticut and Rhode Island from 1999 to 2014. These experiences fortified my work ethic and endowed me with the strategic vision needed to surmount diverse challenges.
In 1996, my heart led me toward my long held dream of becoming a filmmaker. I pursued this dream by completing my film education at San Jose State University. Soon after, I embarked on my inaugural project, “Zara Si Bhool,” also known as “A Small Mistake.” This Bollywood feature film, crafted in Hollywood, is a captivating narrative available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
With the sale of my franchise business in 2014, I made a resolute shift toward the entertainment realm. To bolster my skills, I successfully completed the prestigious Producer’s Program at UCLA. Currently, my creative fervor is fervently channeled into completing my second feature film, “Paper Flowers,” under the banner of my own company, AV Entertainment Company, LLC.
What lends “Paper Flowers” an extra layer of excitement and personal significance is its foundation in a genuine love story within my own family—a heartwarming saga of an Indian American recent college graduate and his Taiwanese American high school sweetheart. Their journey, against formidable odds, stands as a resounding testament to the enduring power of love and the capacity to discover happiness in the face of life’s adversities.
Presently, I call Los Angeles home, sharing it with my beloved wife, Mita. I take immense pride in being a parent to a married son, who, despite being a pediatrician pursuing a parallel career as a DJ, and a recently married daughter, who, along with her career as a doctor of internal medicine, is pursuing her hobby as a Yoga Instructor. With steadfast passion and a kaleidoscope of talents, I remain dedicated to making impactful contributions to the world of independent filmmaking. My mission transcends mere entertainment; it is a quest to inspire. I firmly believe in the transformative power of storytelling—a medium that touches hearts, challenges perspectives, and fosters empathy.
I invite you to join me on an incredible journey of creativity and resilience as we bring “Paper Flowers”, a feature film based on an inspiring true life story of my relative Shalin Shah, whose story went viral after he wrote “Thank You, Cancer” an article published in Huffington Post before passing of cancer at 22.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Reflecting on my journey, three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that appear to have been pivotal are:
- Resilience: My ability to adapt and persevere through diverse challenges, from building a successful franchise business to transitioning into the entertainment industry, underscores the importance of resilience. To cultivate this trait, early career professionals should develop a growth mindset, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and maintain a long-term perspective.
2. Entrepreneurial Skills: My background in the restaurant franchise industry equipped me with valuable entrepreneurial skills, including strategic thinking, risk management, and financial acumen. To develop these skills, aspiring entrepreneurs should immerse themselves in their chosen field, seek out educational opportunities, and actively engage with industry experts.
3. Passion and Adaptability: My transition from the restaurant business to filmmaking demonstrates the power of following one’s passion and being adaptable. Early career individuals should explore their interests, pursue avenues that align with their passions, and be open to diversifying their skills and experiences. Continuous learning and networking within their chosen industry can help them pivot successfully when needed.
Advice for those early in their journey:
- Embrace Continuous Learning: Invest in your education and skill development. Whether through formal education, workshops, or self-study, ongoing learning is crucial for personal and professional growth.
b. Build Resilience: Understand that setbacks are part of any journey. Develop resilience by viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and by maintaining a positive outlook.
c. Follow Your Passion: Pursue a career path that genuinely excites you. Passion fuels perseverance and creativity, making it easier to overcome obstacles and stay committed to your goals.
d. Stay Adaptable: Be willing to pivot and adapt when circumstances change. Flexibility and the ability to embrace new opportunities can lead to unexpected successes.
e. Set Clear Goals: Define your long-term and short-term goals, and create actionable plans to achieve them. Regularly review and adjust your goals as your journey progresses.
f. Believe in Yourself: Confidence in your abilities is key. Cultivate self-belief by recognizing your achievements and seeking positive affirmations from mentors and peers.
In my journey, these qualities and advice have undoubtedly played a significant role. By applying these principles, early career professionals can lay a strong foundation for their own success and fulfillment.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mita Vyas, my life partner, who has been my unwavering pillar of support for the past 34 years. I must also acknowledge the remarkable contributions of Hemal Shah, my sister and operating partner, who has had my back throughout my 23-year franchisee career. My heartfelt thanks go out to my children, Aashay and Annasha, for their constant presence in my life. Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to Mahesh Pailoor, the director of my film “Paper Flowers,” for his exceptional guidance and expertise in translating the script into a captivating silver screen production.
While I deeply cherish the insights and wisdom gained from others and my diverse experiences, I firmly believe that the most transformative assistance has originated from within myself. My unyielding commitment to continuous learning, resilience in the face of adversity, and unwavering passion for my chosen path have served as the driving forces behind my accomplishments.
This self-reliance has allowed me to navigate through diverse fields, from the restaurant franchise industry to filmmaking, and adapt to the ever-evolving challenges and opportunities that came my way. It underscores the importance of self-belief, perseverance, and dedication to personal growth as crucial elements in achieving success.
In my journey, I have learned that while external support and mentorship can be invaluable, the foundation for success ultimately lies within oneself. Self-determination and the willingness to continually improve and adapt have been my most influential allies in achieving my goals.
Contact Info:
- Email: AV@AVEntertainmentco.com
