Meet Gina Stojanovski

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gina Stojanovski a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Gina, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I came from immigrant parents who didn’t speak English. As a child, I had to quickly learn English to help my parents navigate life in a new country. We had nothing, so anything beyond that was always considered a bonus. Watching my parents each work two jobs taught me early on that perseverance was essential. In many ways, my siblings and I raised ourselves, developing independence and a strong sense of determination from a young age.

Because of this upbringing, my outlook became, “What’s the worst that could happen?” If I can handle that worst-case scenario, I keep pushing forward. Later in life, this mindset continued to guide me when I founded my talent agency, Gina Stoj Management. Building a business that represents actors internationally came with many challenges, but I approached each obstacle by staying rooted in those early lessons of resilience. Every difficult situation becomes manageable when I break it down by simply asking myself whether I can handle the worst possible outcome. So far, the answer has always been “yes,” and that keeps me moving forward.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Gina Stoj Management is a world-class talent agency representing actors on both sides of the Pacific. I operate offices in Australia, as well as in Los Angeles and New York, ensuring my clients have access to opportunities throughout the U.S. and Australia. What sets our agency apart is our highly personalized, detail-oriented approach. I treat my actors like family, staying involved at every stage of their careers. We firmly believe that a “good actor is a working actor,” which is why we emphasize ongoing training and professional discipline. In practice, this means we don’t just submit actors for auditions—we also guide them in selecting headshots, crafting demo reels, and building long-term career strategies. Essentially, we manage each actor’s career like a business.

I’m committed to providing the highest level of service. For me, it’s never been about a quick payday—my greatest satisfaction comes from seeing my clients succeed. Right now, I’m focused on strengthening our global connections, expanding relationships with casting directors in Hollywood and Australia, and helping my actors secure international roles. Ultimately, our values-driven approach and personal touch distinguish us from larger agencies.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back over my 20+ year career, I see three qualities that made the biggest difference, and I always pass these on to newcomers:

1. Passion and Strong Work Ethic: I’m deeply passionate about this industry and excited every time one of my actors succeeds. This passion drives me through early mornings and late nights (I routinely start work at 3 AM for submissions). My strong work ethic means I’m willing to put in long hours and go the extra mile. Advice: Find what you love about this business and let that enthusiasm carry you. If you care more about the work than the paycheck, you’ll stay motivated even when it’s tough.

2. Organizational and Business Savvy: My background is actually in business before I entered entertainment, so I learned early to be extremely organized. Juggling hundreds of clients across different time zones requires careful scheduling and attention to detail. I also stay curious about how the industry works – knowing casting trends, market shifts and visa rules has helped me guide my clients. I also never put my phone or Ipad down – I basically sleep with them. Advice: Learn the nuts and bolts of the business side of entertainment. Keep detailed to-do lists and schedules, and educate yourself about the industry. Good organizational skills can set you apart as a reliable agent or manager.

3. Relationship-Building and Integrity: Above all, talent representation is a people business. I genuinely care about every actor I work with, and I build trust by being honest and supportive. I look after my actors like family, so word gets around that I’m reliable and caring. Treating people well – whether it’s your clients, casting directors or colleagues – earns respect and loyalty. Advice: Be authentic, kind and professional in all your interactions. Build genuine relationships and keep your promises. Your reputation will open doors and sustain your career over the long run.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I’m feeling overwhelmed—which, in this industry, is pretty much every other day—I have a few go-to strategies to decompress. First up, I won’t lie: a good Netflix binge or watching reality TV with my husband is often exactly what I need to switch off and unwind after a long day.

But seriously, I’m also extremely lucky to have an incredible assistant, Caitlin, who covers a lot of ground and keeps things running smoothly when it all feels a bit much. (Honestly, everyone needs a Caitlin!)

And I have to mention that good organization and preparedness help prevent burnout in the first place. Staying on top of my schedule and planning ahead makes those overwhelming moments less frequent and easier to handle.

Finally—and this one’s close to my heart—I try to spend as much downtime as possible with my family and grandkids. They’re my real recharge button and the best reminder of why I push myself every day. A few hours with them, and I’m ready to tackle whatever the entertainment world throws my way next.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where does your optimism come from?

Optimism is the invisible ingredient that powers so much of the incredible progress in society

Confidence
Stories of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Learning from one another is what BoldJourney is all about. Below, we’ve shared stories and

Resilience
The Power of Persistence: Overcoming Haters and Doubters

Having hates is an inevitable part of any bold journey – everyone who has made