We were lucky to catch up with Ian Sawan recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Ian with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I’d say a lot of my work ethic comes from my mom. I recently had a long conversation with her, and it hit me just how much I’ve grown up admiring her work ethic and striving to emulate it myself. She’s worked incredibly hard her entire life, facing countless challenges with such grace and determination. What stands out most is her ability to take on tasks she wasn’t necessarily experienced with, figure them out, and excel. She never shied away from a challenge, and that mindset has shaped how I approach my own work.
She’s also the kind of person who doesn’t make a big deal out of her setbacks. Instead of getting caught up in frustration or insecurity, she focuses on correcting, improving, and moving forward. She embraces the learning process with humility, always keeping her head down and staying focused on progress. Her philosophy—“I don’t know how to do this yet, but I’ll learn”—has stuck with me and pushes me to take on new challenges, even when I feel unsure. It’s her example that drives me to work hard, stay resilient, and always keep learning.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
For me, life right now is all about balance—and honestly, it’s exciting! I’m juggling two very different roles: as the director of operations for Clear Care, a home care agency, and as an actor, currently rehearsing for A Third Way at Actor’s Express, which opens in early October. At first glance, these might seem like completely separate worlds, but what’s been really fascinating is how much they actually feed into each other.
Exercising both sides of my brain—the creative and the analytical—has not only kept me engaged but has allowed me to blend strengths from each role into other areas of my life. The analytical thinking I rely on in business has sharpened my focus and decision-making on stage. At the same time, the creativity I tap into as an actor pushes me to approach business challenges from a fresh perspective and think outside the box.
The line between these two worlds has really started to blur in the best way. It’s exciting to see how fully engaging in both has made me more energized, productive, and creative overall. I truly believe it’s made me stronger in each area, and I’m looking forward to seeing where this balance takes me.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
First, defining and redefining a clear goal has been crucial—even if you can’t see exactly how you’ll get there, whether because you haven’t seen someone else do it or others try to discourage you. Polishing and personalizing ambitious goals is what keeps me moving forward. You don’t need to see the entire path to believe it’s possible.
Second, I’ve always focused on maintaining a growth mindset. I’m constantly looking for ways to improve, learn, and push myself, whether it’s through new experiences, feedback, or simply stepping outside my comfort zone. That desire to grow keeps the journey exciting.
Lastly, surrounding yourself with people who lift you up and motivate you to be the best version of yourself is so important. It’s not just about what they can do for you, but also what you can do for them—supporting each other and encouraging each other to succeed creates such a strong foundation for growth.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Teamwork makes the dream work! In both of my roles, I’m always looking to connect with new people. We’re so much stronger when we support each other than when we’re at odds, and I believe there are always enough opportunities for everyone willing to put in the hard work, time, and collaborative energy to make things happen.
As actors, we have so much to offer one another, whether it’s helping each other by reading for auditions or sharing casting calls, networking events, and classes. Building each other up in this industry is key to success. I’m also passionate and experienced in creating new work and would love to connect with other artists interested in bringing new ideas to life, whether on screen or stage.
At Clear Care, we’re new to the healthcare industry and are always looking for new clients and caregivers, but we’re also eager to connect with anyone who has experience, wisdom, or insights to offer. We’re open to exploring collaboration opportunities as we continue to grow and serve our community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iansawan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iansawan
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?viewas=100000686899395&id=61558004720831
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iansawan/
Image Credits
Casey Gardner Ford
Caleb Jones Photography
@Sydneywithacamera
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