We had the good fortune of connecting with Markus Kashouh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Markus, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Now, the word success is a big word, especially once people are labeled so. I would say success is a lifestyle, it is an attitude, a way of living. Of course, the biggest factor behind my success is my upbringing. Fortunately, I am grateful to have grown up in a healthy home. Here are a few things that stand out that really touch in on success. First is commitment. I remember encouraged growing up to “finish what I started,” especially when I had promised someone to do something. This lesson really goes a long way, especially for adulthood. People are now able to depend on you and build trust between each other because they know you will always commit. Another thing I have learned especially from my mother is punctuality. NEVER MISS A DEADLINE. This should be engraved in our minds sometimes. Especially since I work with creatives, I have had countless encounters with people who just never meet deadlines. I have also had experiences where I’ve been able to leave a significant impact on people for being on-time and even early, always! You cannot be like everyone else to be successful. How cliche yet how true the phrase: the early bird gets the worm! Finally, the last factor is honor. I grew up in a home where we were encouraged, affirmed, honored, and praised for the good work we did. Our home was built on kind words and uplifting expressions. Not only does it create security and positivity, but it also become part of one’s lifestyle. Being fed all that encouragement, I cannot but do the same to others. This is significant and quite unique, especially in the daunting and hurtful work environments we witness today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Growing up in Lebanon, I have beautiful stories to tell. To give it some background, Lebanon, a still-beautiful country, suffers an ongoing economic crisis after a series of unfortunate and devastating events like the Civil War and Beirut explosion. There are crazy stories of resilience, endurance, and forgiveness that I have witnessed while being raised in a country like Lebanon. There is so much diversity that I want to introduce to the US through my art, and specifically film. There are two things that I hope sets me apart. The first is culture. Coming to the US to study film was definitely a hurdle to overcome. Being away from family in a new world was challenging. One thing I learned was the beauty of preserving my heritage, my core. “Don’t forget where you came from,” someone once said. And there is so much value in that. And so, this is what I want to express in my films and what may set me apart: my culture. The second is impact. I have always had a heart to influence people, and I discovered that film was the creative medium to do so, to make an impact on people. I want to communicate messages of hope and redemption through films that inspire!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ooh, this is a hard one, especially for an out-of-state student like me. If you want to try some good Lebanese food, you should hit up “Zait and Zaatar” in Anaheim! They have great shawarma bowls and delicious pastries! Other than that, I love a good “Olive Garden” dinner. The breadsticks and salad are excellent!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Definitely my parents. They have both been inspirational leaders that have played a significant role in my upbringing. The further away I am from them, the more I tend to appreciate the values I was brought up on. Experiencing toxic work environments, I can see how fortunate I am to have grown up in a healthy home. All thanks to Hikmat and Krista!

Instagram: instagram.com/markuskashouh/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markuskashouh

Image Credits
Michael Piehl, Moriah Pleasant, & Rachel Carlyle

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.