Inspiring Conversations with Manya Arakelian of Zan Construction Inc.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Manya Arakelian.

Hi Manya, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always been fascinated by how spaces come to life. From the start, my goal in college was to build a strong technical foundation in how buildings come together. I earned my master’s degree in structural engineering from the University of California, San Diego, and spent ten years in consulting, earning my structural engineering license along the way. While that work was rewarding, I knew it wasn’t my ultimate goal. I craved something more hands-on, something that allowed me to actually build the spaces I imagined, not just design them.

To accomplish this, I obtained my real estate license and launched a company where I began purchasing, redesigning, and renovating homes for resale. Managing multiple projects gave me hands-on construction experience and a deep understanding of the craft, knowledge that has been critical in helping homeowners determine which upgrades will truly add value to their homes. Combined with my technical engineering background, this experience gave me a unique perspective on how a project comes together from concept to completion. While this work was invaluable, it was not my final destination.

As I was studying for my general contractor’s license, I reconnected with a longtime friend, Arsineh Eskandari, who coincidentally was pursuing her license at the same time. Arsineh’s path was quite different from mine. She grew up immersed in construction, learning the trade from her father from a young age. After earning her bachelor’s degree from CSUN, she built a successful career in finance and sales, but construction always pulled her back. Her experience, intuition, and natural eye for project flow and management have made her an incredible partner.

The timing couldn’t have been better. Together, we launched ZAN Construction, Inc. in 2024, a female-owned and operated construction company built on complementary strengths, shared values, and a genuine passion for what we do.

Today, we combine our expertise, vision, and hands-on experience to create spaces that are beautiful, functional, and deeply personal. It’s incredibly fulfilling to be shaping the industry as women leaders while doing the work we love every day.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As anyone in construction knows, the path is rarely smooth. The last two decades have been a continuous evolution – learning, growing, and expanding through every season of life. Balancing motherhood while running a full-time business demanded resilience and focus, but I’ve never shied away from hard work. Each challenge sharpened my skills and strengthened my mindset. I made the intentional choice to pursue a career that fulfills me, not just one that pays the bills, and that decision is exactly what led me to where I am today.

Professionally, we’ve been fortunate to work with incredible people and to have a mentor whose guidance helped us avoid many common early pitfalls. Being women in a male-dominated industry does present challenges, but we’ve never viewed that as a setback. We let our knowledge, work ethic, and results speak for themselves. Today, clients consistently tell us how much they love the finished product, as well as how much they appreciated our communication, clarity, and approachability during the process. Hearing that we make the construction process easier and more enjoyable is one of the most rewarding affirmations that our perspective truly sets us apart.

As you know, we’re big fans of Zan Construction Inc.. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
ZAN Construction, Inc. is a female-owned and operated construction company dedicated to creating spaces that are both beautiful and enduring. Our name, ZAN, means “woman” in Farsi, a tribute to the fact that we are both women building a company in a male-dominated industry, and a reminder of the perspective and voice we bring to every project. We specialize in high-quality residential renovations, custom home projects, and property transformations, with a focus on thoughtful design, attention to detail, and exceptional craftsmanship.

What sets us apart is not just our approach, but the technical depth behind it. With a structural engineering background, I bring a level of precision and understanding that ensures our projects are built correctly, safely, and efficiently from day one. That technical foundation allows us to anticipate challenges before they arise, communicate clearly with architects and engineers, and make informed decisions that protect both the design and the homeowner’s investment.

Combined with Arsineh’s hands-on construction experience, intuitive understanding of project flow, and her background in finance and sales, we’re able to approach every job from multiple angles; structural, functional, aesthetic, and financial. Her expertise helps us stay on budget, track progress, and ensuring projects run smoothly and efficiently. Because we prioritize educating and informing our clients, we take the time to explain the “why” behind decisions, materials, and processes so they feel confident and empowered throughout the project. Many clients have shared that they value how patient, communicative, and transparent we are; qualities that make the construction experience far less stressful and much more enjoyable.

We’re especially proud to be part of fire rebuild projects, having kicked off our first one in Altadena this week. We’re looking forward to helping more fire victims rebuild their homes, restore their sense of security, and move back into the communities they love. Being part of that rebuilding journey is an honor and a responsibility we take to heart.

As a brand, we are most proud of our ability to transform visions into reality while maintaining integrity, quality, and a commitment to collaboration. ZAN Construction is about more than building structures, it’s about building long-term relationships, creating spaces where life happens, memories are made, and design meets function. Whether it’s a full-scale remodel or a custom upgrade, we bring passion, expertise, and care to every project.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Having worked as a project manager and engineer on a wide range of projects, from single-family homes to schools, hospitals, and high-rises, I gained a solid foundation in how design and construction come together. That experience has been invaluable in our current endeavor. One of the biggest qualities contributing to our success is the combination of technical expertise and hands-on experience we bring to every project. With a structural engineering background and years of building and renovating properties myself, I understand construction from both the technical and the homeowner’s perspective. That dual viewpoint allows me to anticipate concerns, communicate clearly, and guide clients through decisions in a way that feels collaborative and empowering.

Beyond the technical side, adaptability has been essential to our growth. Construction moves quickly, and being willing to learn, adjust, and evolve has allowed us to stay ahead and deliver work we’re proud of. Multitasking is at the heart of what we do, managing timelines, coordinating multiple trades, and keeping projects moving requires strong organization and the ability to juggle many moving parts at once. On a lighter note, Arsineh and I are personable, approachable, and fun, even if I say so myself. Many of our clients end up becoming repeat clients who also refer us to their friends and family, which speaks to the relationships we build alongside the spaces we create. For us, it’s about more than construction; it’s about creating homes, experiences, and partnerships that last.

Pricing:

• We provide free consultations and estimates.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.zanconstruction.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zanconstructiongroup/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zanconstructiongroup
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zanconstructioninc
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/zan-construction-glendale?osq=Zan+Construction