APPLE NEWS: Shannon Richards Adds a Creative Flair to the Lifecycle of homeownership
Check out the Apple News deep dive into Shannon’s approach to design, construction and building community:
via Apple News
Shannon Richards Adds a Creative Flair to the Lifecycle of Home Ownership
By Jordan French for Gritdaily.com
The design, construction, and real estate sectors often operate in silos. Shannon Richards has crafted a dynamic intersection where these industries thrive together. As the founder of Hay Runner, a Maine-based firm launched in 2018, Richards brings a holistic approach to the life cycle of homeownership while empowering home buyers, sellers, remodelers, and investors to achieve their property dreams…
The Intersection of Art and Business
In 2000, Richards earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Syracuse University. While there, she honed her expertise in sculpture, metals, ceramics, and more. This multidisciplinary foundation influenced her approach to design and business. Early in her career, Richards carved a path as principal and designer at Custom House Property and Design LLC, where she developed a reputation for blending art and functionality.
Richards’ time as the director of business development at Woodhull equipped her with the tools to manage large-scale projects and complex client needs. Aside from her duties at Hay Runner, Richards also serves as the executive director of Outskirt Studios, which she co-founded, and a real estate advisor with Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty.
Beautiful Homes for More People
Building beautiful homes is just one aspect of Richard‘s work. She describes the mechanics of creating a successful plan for tricky and often restrictive waterfront homes as gratifying. However, she seeks to make these services more available to the average homeowner, not just the exceptionally wealthy, as is traditional. “What is special about what we’re doing, is that we are making these services simplified and accessible to clients of all types,” she shares.
Outside of her work life, Richards makes civic contributions. As the current president of the Maine Real Estate and Development Association, the most recent past president of the Maine Crafts Association, and member of the Next Wave Council’s communications committee for the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, she invests in giving back to her community.
Values That Drive Success
Richards attributes her success to her perseverance, networking, and the lessons learned from managing time-sensitive events. She believes in embracing challenges and thrives by juggling the demands of entrepreneurship.
“I’m hardworking, trustworthy, and not afraid to make mistakes and learn from them,” Richards says. These qualities and strong values have positioned her as a trusted leader in her field. However, her greatest achievement is personal. She is most proud of instilling a sense of civic duty in her three children and three stepchildren.
Growth and Advice for the Future
The industry is undergoing major changes. Richards points to the countless technological advances in artificial intelligence (AI), new materials being produced, and more products made from materials like timber. “There are new laminated timber products and new insulation products being developed locally from more sustainable processes, which come directly from wood,” she reveals.
Meanwhile, Richards aims to expand Hay Runner. “It’s a long game, not a sprint but a marathon,” she notes, emphasizing the importance of persistence and strategic growth.
Richards also has valuable advice for aspiring professionals. “Find your direction and walk toward it every day. Do what you say you’re going to do and listen more than you talk until you’ve truly hit your stride,” Richards shares.
A Deeper Mission
Richards is more than a creative business leader. She is a trailblazer who bridges art, construction, and community. Through her work with Hay Runner, she is building homes while promoting accessibility, innovation, and civic responsibility. As her footprint expands, so does her impact, making her a force to watch in home ownership.