Today we’d like to introduce you to Qemal Hasanbelli.
Hi Qemal, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve lived in Tampa for over 27 years — this city has been my home for the majority of my life, except for the years I spent away serving in the U.S. military. I was born in Albania during the communist era and immigrated to America at the age of 20yr . I arrived with very little, but with a deep belief in hard work, education, and gratitude for opportunity.
Growing up in Tampa as an immigrant taught me humility, resilience, and the importance of community. Serving in the military reinforced those values — discipline, responsibility, and a commitment to serving others before yourself. Those experiences shaped the way I approach business and leadership today.
Over the past two decades, I’ve been involved in building companies across construction, real estate, and community development. One of the most meaningful chapters of my journey was building preschools in underserved neighborhoods, specifically to uplift families and children who were often overlooked. I’ve always believed that opportunity shouldn’t be based on where you’re born — and that business should exist not only for profit, but for purpose.
My journey has never been about shortcuts — it’s been about building with integrity, honoring my roots, and always giving back to the community that gave me a chance.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all — and I don’t think any meaningful journey ever is. I came to this country not speaking the language, working jobs most people wouldn’t take, and learning everything the hard way. As an immigrant, you start behind the starting line — nothing is handed to you, and you’re constantly proving yourself.
When I returned home from serving in the military during the war years, I faced a different kind of battle — coming back to a society that had moved on without me. Many veterans don’t talk about it, but reintegration is extremely difficult. You go from a high-adrenaline, high-purpose environment to suddenly feeling lost, disconnected, and unsupported. The VA system does what it can, but the reality is — you’re mostly on your own. You have to claw your way back into civilian life.
My saving grace was education. I enrolled at the USF, and books became my way to rewire my mind — to find purpose again, to rebuild identity and direction. I had to retrain myself to think like a builder, not a soldier — to shift from survival mode to creation mode.
Even later in business, there were major challenges — economic downturns, business failures, legal battles, and moments of having to rebuild from zero again. There were nights where payroll came before my own paycheck, where I had to make decisions that tested my character more than my capability.
But through every obstacle, the mindset stayed the same: never complain, never quit, and always lead with purpose. The struggles weren’t setbacks — they were training. They built the person I needed to become to do the work I’m doing today.
We’ve been impressed with Blu Swan Express Carwash INC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m the founder of Build America Luxury Homes, a development company here in Tampa. Over the years, we’ve built custom homes, commercial properties, and community-focused projects — including preschools in underserved neighborhoods, which is still some of the work I’m most proud of. My philosophy has always been to create projects with intention — things that actually serve people and make the community better.
Blu Swan Express Carwash is our latest project, and for us it’s not just a business — it’s a reflection of our values. We built it with the mindset that every customer should feel respected and genuinely cared for, not just rushed through a system. We’re fully locally owned, and my team and I are hands-on every single day.
I believe it’s because of those values that Blu Swan — especially our Haunted Carwash event — has been so widely embraced. I’m personally involved in every detail of it, and my entire team is fully engaged. People can feel that energy. The response has been incredible — families are showing up in huge numbers, and we receive messages every night from guests telling us how unique, creative, and memorable the experience is. That kind of connection means more to me than any sales figure ever could.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, I plan to continue growing in a way that stays true to my values — building projects that are long-term, meaningful, and rooted in community. With Blu Swan, our focus is on evolving it into a full lifestyle brand — not just a car wash, but a place known for experience, hospitality, and innovation. We’re already exploring ideas like seasonal themed events, memberships with added perks, and future mobility services as the world moves toward autonomous transportation.
Beyond Blu Swan, Build America will continue developing projects that bring value to Tampa — not just financially, but culturally and socially. I want to keep building things that leave a positive imprint on the city — projects that my children and future generations can look at with pride and say, “That helped shape our community.”
So yes — expansion is part of the plan. But not rushed expansion. Intentional growth. The kind where every new project is done with excellence, care, and purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bluswancarwashtampa.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluswanexpresscarwash/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BluSwanExpressCarwash/
