Meet Justin Drury

We recently connected with Justin Drury and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Justin, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I’ve built multiple businesses from the ground up, everything from owning and operating record labels to creating a CPG food brand that I’ve sold into Whole Foods Market and other major retailers. I’ve never worked a traditional 9 to 5 or had normal corporate hours, so I had to create my own structure and momentum. That meant working whenever the work needed to get done, sometimes 14+ hour days, seven days a week.

That grind of building something from nothing is what shaped my work ethic.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a Southern California native, raised on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and my story has always been rooted in creativity, community, and building something from the ground up. I’ve lived throughout Los Angeles, but the South Bay and Beach Cities have always been home. I went to grade school in Palos Verdes, moved to Hermosa Beach during high school, attended both Peninsula High and Mira Costa, and ultimately transferred back to Peninsula to finish. I later graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts.

While I was in school, I was also building a career in music. I spent many of my adult school years as a traveling musician, DJ, and artist, and I was fortunate to collaborate with and share stages alongside incredible talent, including artists like Bruno Mars and Kaskade. Touring and producing music took me around the world and taught me a lot about discipline, performance under pressure, and how to connect with people through energy and experience.

Eventually, I decided to slow down the nightlife and channel that same creative drive into entrepreneurship. I founded a CPG food brand called Spicy Mo’s, which is now sold in Whole Foods Market and other major retailers throughout the Southern Pacific region. Building a product brand from scratch sharpened my skills in branding, negotiation, operations, and customer experience, and it reinforced something I’ve always believed: details matter and relationships are everything.

Today, I bring all of that into my work in real estate. I’m a real estate agent with Strand Hill and Forbes Global Properties in Manhattan Beach, and my focus is helping people buy and sell their next home with professional elegance and an entrepreneurial work ethic. The areas I work in most are Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes, and San Pedro. I live in the South Bay, so I know the micro markets and what makes each specific area exceptional, from lifestyle and schools to street-by-street nuances that impact value.

If you’re thinking of making a move in the South Bay, I’d love to be a resource.

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, the three most impactful things in my journey were discipline, brand building, and relationship skills. Consistency and work ethic created momentum, learning how to market and tell a clear story helped people understand my value, and emotional intelligence plus strong communication built trust and opened doors. For anyone early in their journey, focus on simple daily habits you can repeat, get clear on what you stand for and share your work, and invest in people by listening well, following up, and adding value before you expect anything in return.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My ideal client is someone who trusts my professional experience and values honest guidance. They listen, communicate clearly, and trust the process, even when things get fast or emotional. I view my work as a true partnership with my clients, but having trust in the professional behind the steering wheel makes a huge impact and ultimately leads to the best results for everyone.

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