Shannon Richards doesn’t just build homes—she builds possibilities. The founder of Hay Runner, a real estate, architecture, and construction firm, Richards is redefining what it means to own and maintain property in Maine. With a commitment to simplifying homeownership and fostering a strong creative workforce, she has become a force for innovation in an industry often burdened by complexity.
Growing up along the Maine coast, Richards was shaped by a deep sense of place and community. “Being from Maine, you feel pretty close to the ground,” she says. “Everyone pitches in. If you’re on an island and there’s a flood, everyone grabs a shovel. It’s all hands on deck.” That mentality—of collaboration, resilience, and thinking big—has been a guiding force in her career.
Richards began her professional journey in furniture and fixture design before transitioning into housing. As she worked within different facets of the industry, she saw firsthand the need for a more integrated approach to homeownership. “At some point, I realized if I was going to do this again, I was going to do it for myself,” she recalls. And so, Hay Runner was born.
Hay Runner is not your typical design and construction firm. It offers a full spectrum of services—buying, designing, building, maintaining, and selling properties—eliminating the need for homeowners to juggle multiple contractors and vendors. “Construction is hard. It’s stressful,” Richards explains. “By integrating these services, we reduce stress, cut costs, and clear up confusion for our clients.”
Her team also provides add-on services like interior design, millwork, and personal concierge support. For some clients, Hay Runner even maintains properties when they are away. One recent project for a client with residences on both coasts, exemplifies this approach. “We helped them find the property, designed and built it, and now we’ll manage it while they’re on the West Coast,” she says. “It’s not just about building homes—it’s about making life easier for homeowners.”
Beyond Hay Runner, Richards is actively shaping Maine’s real estate and creative communities. As the president of the Maine Real Estate and Development Association (MEREDA) and a leader within the Maine Crafts Association, she is deeply involved in economic development and arts advocacy. “You get out what you put in,” she says of her work with these organizations. “I put in a lot, and I get even more back. It keeps me connected to my peers and helps me make better business decisions.”
As a woman in a male-dominated field, Richards has faced her share of challenges—but she sees them as opportunities. “People underestimate you,” she admits. “But that’s also an advantage because when you succeed, you surprise them.” She envisions a future where more women enter the design and construction industries, leveraging technology and attention to detail to excel in areas historically dominated by men. “There’s room for everyone,” she says. “And we’re seeing more and more women stepping into leadership roles. At Hay Runner, it’s not even a conversation—it’s just how things are.”
Despite her demanding career, Richards is intentional about finding balance. “It’s hard,” she acknowledges. “Going on a trip last week was hard. Making time for family and friends is hard. But if you’re not incredibly intentional about it, it won’t happen.” For her, a perfect day off in Maine involves cruising around the islands on her old wooden boat, eating fresh seafood, fishing, and hiking—simple joys that reconnect her to the landscape she loves.
While Richards takes pride in what Hay Runner has accomplished, she sees it as just the beginning. “This is a beta test,” she says. “There’s a real opportunity to change how we think about design and construction, and I want to be at the forefront of that shift.”
"I realized if I was going to do this again, I was going to do it for myself."
"There’s room for everyone."