We recently had the chance to connect with Mina Greas and have shared our conversation below.
Mina, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Yeah, one time I had my mind set on this restaurant while traveling, but when I got there, it was unexpectedly closed. So I ended up going to the place next door, and it turned out to be way better than expected. I couldn’t stop smiling, it was one of those moments that just makes you laugh. Moments like that remind me that sometimes when things don’t go according to plan, they make space for something even better.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Everything I do is built around people, ideas, and creating memorable, shareable experiences, whether in architecture or experiential marketing.
In architecture, I’ve had the privilege of designing and managing over 5,000 projects, covering approximately 44 million square feet and valued at approximately $2.78 billion. My portfolio spans custom residential homes, commercial spaces, multi-family developments, restaurants, churches, schools, and landscapes. My work has been featured at the Architecture and Design Museum in Los Angeles. My focus is on authentic, cost-effective solutions that disrupt conventional thinking. Whether it’s a modern residence or a Mediterranean masterpiece, I blend timeless elegance with fresh ideas to make spaces both beautiful and functional. My goal is to shape experiences, not just objects. To challenge the norm. To push ideas forward.
On the experiential marketing side, I’ve led over 275 branding and spatial design initiatives for brands like Lexus, Toyota, Google, Star Wars, State Farm, Mazda, Workday, and HP. I craft immersive brand environments and campaigns, translating storytelling into physical spaces with budgets up to $47 million. My approach is about creating emotional connections through self-led discovery.
The projects that excite me most are the ones with remote sites, deep cultural roots, and lean budget constraints. When a design has a sense of time and place, it becomes something bigger than a building, it becomes a story, a legacy.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
Without question, my parents, both my Dad and Mom, taught me the most about work. They sacrificed deeply for our family, often without recognition, and always without complaint. My dad worked multiple jobs at times, surviving on little sleep, and yet still found a way to be present for us. My mom carried an incredible load as well as a working professional, at home, and beyond, showing up every day with quiet strength and grace. They both still studied with my sister and I after school, taught us to ride our bikes, took us fishing, and spent time with us too.
From them, I learned what real work ethic looks like, not just in hours clocked, but in resilience, responsibility, and pride in what you do, no matter how difficult. They modeled how to face challenges head-on, how to push through fatigue and setbacks, and how to never give up, even when no one else is watching. Their example shaped who I am today and continues to guide how I approach my own work, especially when things get hard.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Real strength is born from scar tissue. Every setback forced me to pause, reflect, and adapt, turning challenges into ‘level up’ moments. Like in architecture, life is iterative: you refine, evolve, and build something better each time.
Fear and constraints? They’re just signals you’re pushing past your comfort zone. If you can’t find a solution, get more creative. Without resistance, muscles don’t grow and neither do we. Keep moving, always asking, ‘Is there a better way?’ That mindset of constant iteration and resilience.
And failure? It’s not a dead end, it’s your best feedback loop. It shows you what doesn’t work, so you can try again smarter and come back stronger.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
That everyone’s fighting a battle you know nothing about and they’re doing the best they can. We all wear our own filters and end up projecting them onto others, which is where so much misunderstanding and struggle comes from. Remembering that helps me lead with empathy and assume good intent.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yeah, I could, because I’ve never really done it for the praise. I do it because I care. I take a lot of pride in my work and in how it makes people feel, especially my clients. It’s never been about the public knowing it’s my project. What matters most is that the people I design for feel seen, understood, and proud to be in that space. That’s the real reward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.minagreas.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drystudioinc/?igsh=YjNtdnA4OWRobWhh#
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/mina-greas
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/pS-u68ExWGw
- Other: https://a.co/d/aM4Y6PM
https://www.drystudioinc.com/
