Our Story & Values

Mina™ was born from a single idea: swimwear should empower women to move freely, confidently, and beautifully — without compromise. Founder and CEO Laura M. Mackay combined her experience as a product designer, painter, and athlete to create a brand that bridges artistry, performance, and purpose. Mina’s values—sovereignty, innovation, and decisive action—are expressed at every level: in the architecture of the business, the movement of each suit on the body, and the way women feel in the water.

Sovereignty: I move freely—anywhere the water takes me, in whatever way feels true, even in the moment. 

Innovation: I design my life with intention, always reaching for my best self and letting purpose lead.

Decisive action: I know myself—or I am learning—and I choose with clarity, honoring the boundaries that shape my life. 

Founders Heart

Growing up in Detroit with three older brothers, Laura learned resilience, creativity, and grit early on. Health challenges, including a misdiagnosed thyroid condition and a heart rhythm disorder, once made swimming difficult. After corrective heart surgery, she returned to the water stronger than ever — completing open-water races, sprints, and ocean elements that tested her endurance. This personal journey inspired Mina™: a swimwear brand that gives women the freedom to reclaim movement, confidence, and joy in the water.

Our Philosophy

Every Mina™ suit begins with the question: what does a woman truly need to move with strength and grace? Using a product design approach inspired by Silicon Valley methodology, Laura tests each prototype in real conditions — in pools, oceans, and open water — refining straps, fabrics, and lines until every piece performs flawlessly. This dedication ensures Mina™ suits support the body where it needs lift, move fluidly, and look elegant while doing so.

Art Meets Function

Mina™ is also wearable art. Many suits feature prints taken directly from Laura’s original paintings, combining her visual creativity with functional design. Drawing inspiration from dance, figure skating, and athletic performance, the construction of each suit fuses precision with beauty — a balance few swimwear collections achieve.

Purpose & Impact

Mina™ is named after Laura's grandmother as a symbol of humanitarian commitment. Her grandmother was a fashion designer in her own right, but was a child bride and never got to actualize her profession. Mina operates as a for-profit, for-good company committed to supporting UNICEF’s initiative to end child marriage in 12 countries. Every suit becomes part of a movement advancing empowerment, autonomy, and opportunity for girls. Independence and creative sovereignty are central to the brand, allowing Mina™ to innovate without compromise while staying true to its mission.

Our Vision

Laura’s long-term vision is to redefine functional luxury in swimwear. Mina™ aims to become the leading luxury athletic brand. Swimming is one of the most effective forms of fitness in the world, and Mina™ is here to help women embrace that strength at every level.

Mina™ is more than swimwear. It’s a movement rooted in legacy, purpose, and the freedom to move.