The definition of ‘home’ has evolved beyond mere structure—demanding purpose, quality, and a vision. Understanding this, Sean Sullivan (President at Living Stone Design + Build) is quietly transforming the way homes—and businesses—are built.
As the driving force behind The Sullivan Family of Companies, Sean is leading a revolution in the custom homebuilding industry. Beyond the structures his team creates, Sean’s influence is evident in the culture he fosters, the talent he mentors, and the vision he carries for the future of the industry. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability, Sean aims to ensure the future of homebuilding is not only brighter but built on a solid foundation of purpose and vision—emerging as one of the Most Influential Construction Business Leaders to Watch in 2025.
The Evolution of The Sullivan Family of Companies
The Sullivan Family of Companies has been shaped by evolution, opportunity, and a commitment to delivering more value. “Well,” began Sean, “as any successful company probably has, an evolution.” What started in 1997 as Living Stone Construction has grown into a vertically integrated group of businesses.
The turning point came during the Great Recession. “We identified a need to concentrate services and add more value to the client. So we became a design-build firm. So we became Living Stone Design + Build,” Sean Sullivan explained. From there, the company launched ID.ology Interiors & Design to streamline space planning, selections, and furnishings—all handled by Laura Sullivan’s team.
As the company continued working closely with in-house architects, another need emerged. “We were building certified homes, and the homes were getting tighter and tighter. So they were more energy efficient,” he said. That led to a deeper concern: indoor air quality. “Construction can be pretty toxic. So all of the materials and selections that are brought in during construction will off-gas,” Sean noted. Meaning clients had the possibility of being exposed to chemicals inside sealed, energy-efficient homes.
To counteract this, the team began specifying “low or no VOC selections and specifications for the home.” They adopted a holistic mindset: designing green and building green. But Sean quickly realized that wasn’t enough. “We weren’t teaching our clients to live green,” he said. When clients moved in, they often brought in new furniture that would off-gas into their otherwise clean and tightly sealed homes.
They began to source non-toxic, healthy furniture options—eventually connecting with like-minded manufacturers and offering these furnishings to clients. “It was very well received,” Sean Sullivan said. Their approach spanned the entire lifestyle: designing green, building green, and teaching clients to live green—a philosophy they began calling Whole Living.
But they didn’t want to keep the knowledge and resources to themselves. “We began to feel guilty that we were keeping this to ourselves,” Sean admitted. That desire to share led to the launch of Atelier Maison & Co., a healthy furniture store created not just for their clients but for builders, designers, architects, and realtors lacking similar resources.
As the company structure expanded, it became clear that operations like marketing, HR, and administration needed to be centralized. “That’s what ultimately led us to establish the separate company of The Sullivan Family of Companies,” he explained. “The SFC is that consistent and common thread between all of the companies.”
One of their latest ventures, Living Stone Restorations, emerged from their work following Hurricane Helene. “Even though we’ve always done the reconstruction side of restorations for 30 years, we realized that we didn’t know the insurance language,” Sean Sullivan shared. The new company allowed them to efficiently handle mitigation, reconstruction, and insurance processes with dedicated systems and expertise.
In addition to their business ventures, the Sullivans created a nonprofit organization called the Asheville Design District. “That is the geographic footprint that we operate in just outside of Biltmore Village, where there is a concentration of businesses that are focused on designing and building,” Sean said.
Building Happier, Healthier Lives
From the very beginning, Sean made it clear that purpose wasn’t just a buzzword—it was the foundation of every company under the Sullivan Family umbrella. “ Our mission in all the companies is to build happier, healthier lives,” Sean said.
The leadership team recognized that their impact could—and should—extend beyond clients. “We really realized that we had a second audience, which was our teams,” Sean Sullivan said. This internal shift meant ensuring that employees also benefited from a culture of wellness and happiness.
About a decade ago, that mission took on a third dimension: the broader community. “If we’re building happier, healthier lives for our clients and for our teams, we also need to do that for our community,” Sean said.
This realization gave birth to First Fridays, a company-wide volunteer initiative. “The first Friday of every month, we volunteer at one of three charities that we partner with and we raise funds for them and we do service projects for them,” he explained. It’s a tradition that reflects not just a sense of corporate responsibility, but a deep-rooted belief that true success is measured in service and impact.
Tackling Industry-Wide Challenges with Innovation and Intent
As the construction industry continues to evolve, so do the challenges that come with it. Sean breaks it down simply: “There will probably be three things.” For The Sullivan Family of Companies, those three critical areas are people, growth, and scalability—and each one is being addressed with thoughtful strategy.
1. Finding and Keeping Great People
“People. So how do you find the best people?” Sean Sullivan asked rhetorically, highlighting what remains one of the most pressing challenges in construction. For Sullivan’s team, the solution starts with a commitment to recruiting, hiring, and empowering talent. Building up strong employer reviews, refining their interview process, and creating clear opportunities for growth are all part of that effort.
One standout initiative is the SFC Learning Institute, where classes are offered throughout the year to foster professional development. At the end of each year, top participants are recognized for their learning achievements—a powerful way to build a learning culture within the company.
2. Growing the Footprint
Growth is another major challenge. “How do we continue to grow and build, increasing in volume?” Sean posed. The answer lies in geographic expansion. From its roots in Asheville, the company has moved into South Carolina, Cashiers (NC), and now Charlotte (NC)—strategically tapping into new markets while maintaining its core values.
3. Scaling with Technology
Finally, there’s the issue of scalability. “We scale with automation,” Sean shared. By leveraging software solutions and APIs, the company is enhancing efficiency, and maintaining quality at scale. “Becoming more efficient has been a central focus for our teams,” he emphasized.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
In competitive and constantly evolving industries like construction, staying ahead of trends is crucial, not just for innovation’s sake, but for maintaining long-term relevance. For The Sullivan Family of Companies, the approach is both proactive and deeply embedded in professional development.
“We join professional affiliations,” said Sean, noting the value of being involved with organizations such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Through the NAHB, the team accesses educational programs, service opportunities, and design trend studies. Sean previously chaired the organization’s Design Committee and served for five years, while Laura Sullivan also contributed during her five-year tenure.
However, their involvement goes far beyond membership. The Sullivans make the most of industry data and insights, including those from realtors and economic analysts. They regularly attend forecasting events and conferences, such as those organized by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)—a key source for emerging interior design trends and consumer preferences.
Another cornerstone of their approach is Sean’s work with the North Carolina Builder Institute, where he serves as both a trustee and instructor. “I write classes for the building industry and I teach them to other builders,” he explained. “By being forced to write classes and teach them, it forces me to stay sharp and stay ahead of the curve.”
From education and data to thought leadership and active engagement in the builder community, the Sullivan Family of Companies exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose and foresight.
Cultivating Talent and Lasting Relationships
At the core of The Sullivan Family of Companies’ success lies a dual commitment: investing in its people and nurturing long-standing client relationships. For Sean Sullivan, fostering employee growth and retention begins with a simple yet powerful philosophy rooted in the Japanese concept of Kaizen—continuous improvement. “It’s about never accepting the status quo, always trying to better ourselves,” he explained.
To support that ideal, the company has taken a two-pronged approach. First, it significantly enhanced its interview and onboarding process. New hires go through a detailed series of assessments designed to uncover not just their technical abilities, but also how they find joy in their work. “We want to make sure their whole person—not just their resume—is a good fit,” said Sean. The goal is clear: align employees with a culture of lifelong learning and growth.
Second, the company founded the SFC Learning Institute, where professionals are empowered and equipped through continuous education. “We call it ‘professionals building professionals’—and that’s what we do, day in and day out,” he added.
This internal focus naturally extends outward into client relationships. Sean compares selecting a custom home builder to entering a long-term relationship. “It’s really like a marriage,” he said. “You’re in it for the long haul—from preconstruction to move-in and beyond.”
Each client journey includes 19 carefully planned meetings, covering everything from design and permitting to material selection and scheduling. Once the home is complete, the support doesn’t stop. The company offers a Preventive Maintenance Program with an 88-point checklist to ensure each home continues to perform optimally over time. “These are high-performing homes built on mountainsides—we want them running comfortably and efficiently for decades,” Sean Sullivan noted.
The result of this client-first approach? Many homeowners stay with The Sullivan Family of Companies for life—returning for additional projects or recommending them to friends and family years down the road. It’s a testament to a company that values relationships as much as results.
A Commitment to Sustainability
Sustainability isn’t just a feature in the homes built by The Sullivan Family of Companies—it’s a foundational principle. From day one, the company has prioritized green building practices, reducing environmental impact while enhancing home performance and occupant health.
“Every home we build is certified Energy Star and NC Green Built,” said Sean Sullivan. These certifications ensure that the homes meet rigorous energy efficiency standards and promote sustainable construction practices. But the commitment doesn’t stop there.
For clients who want to go further, many homes also qualify for Indoor airPLUS, a certification that focuses on improved indoor air quality—a growing concern for today’s homeowners. Living Stone Design + Build also offers a fourth option called Wellness Within Your Walls, which goes 10 layers deep and addresses everything from materials to air systems to chemical safety.
Perhaps most impressive is that every home is built to be net-zero-ready. “All of our clients get net-zero-ready homes, which means that their home is gonna be super tight, super energy efficient. But anytime in the future, they could add a renewable resource like solar energy and take it to net zero,” Sean Sullivan explained.
Each home is assigned a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score, where a score of 100 represents a standard code-built home and zero represents a fully net-zero home. When it comes to energy performance, Sullivan prioritizes long-term value: “Every home gets assigned a HERS score when we certify it… A zero would be net zero. That means the home produces as much electricity as it consumes.”
This forward-thinking approach ensures that clients receive homes that are beautiful and functional yet environmentally responsible, making a lasting difference for both homeowners and the planet.
The Role of Technology in Modern Homebuilding
Similar to other industries, staying ahead in the modern homebuilding business means embracing innovation, and for The Sullivan Family of Companies, technology is not just a tool; it’s a catalyst for growth and excellence.
“Without implementing new technology on a regular basis, we’re not able to scale, so we have to implement new technology to improve efficiency, improve communication, improve documentation, and become more efficient,” said Sean.
From project management software that streamlines construction schedules to digital tools that enhance client collaboration and transparency, the company has built a strong foundation of tech-enabled systems. These tools ensure that each project runs smoothly, on time, and with full visibility for everyone involved—from the design team to the client.
By making technology a central focus, The Sullivan Family of Companies has been able to scale operations while maintaining the personalized, high-touch service that sets them apart. Whether it’s through virtual design meetings, cloud-based document sharing, or data-driven performance tracking, technology enables the team to deliver exceptional results with precision and consistency.
Building a Stronger Tomorrow
As The Sullivan Family of Companies looks ahead, its path is shaped by a philosophy that has always been central to its operations—Kaizen, the principle of continuous improvement. “One long-term goal would always be the Kaizen, to improve,” Sean Sullivan said. “More than what we’re doing now, how can we become more efficient with less?”
A key priority over the next five years is strengthening horizontal integration. One area of focus is expanding Living Stone Restorations, which enhances the company’s ability to provide full-spectrum services—from custom new builds to renovation and maintenance projects.
Building homes with a commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and care, The Sullivan Family of Companies continues to build a legacy that is rooted in purpose, performance, and the people they serve.
5 Key Takeaways from Sean Sullivan’s Leadership Journey
1. Lead with Purpose, Build with Intention
Sean Sullivan views custom homebuilding not just as a profession but as a responsibility. His leadership is grounded in the belief that homes should enhance the lives of the people who live in them—through thoughtful design, sustainability, and lasting quality.
2. Kaizen as a Core Value
The principle of Kaizen, or continuous improvement, is deeply woven into the company culture. For Sean, it’s not about doing more of the same—it’s about doing better, smarter, and more intentionally every single day.
3. Invest in People, Not Just Projects
From hiring based on whole-person assessments to empowering team members through ongoing education at the SFC Building Institute, Sean fosters an environment where growth, learning, and alignment with company values are essential.
4. Prioritize the Client Relationship
Sean compares the custom homebuilding process to a long-term partnership—like a marriage. With 19 touchpoints from design to delivery, he ensures the client experience is transparent, collaborative, and deeply personalized.
5. Sustainability Isn’t a Feature—It’s a Foundation
Under Sean Sullivan’s leadership, every home built by The Sullivan Family of Companies is Energy Star Certified, NC GreenBuilt, and Net Zero Ready. His commitment to health-forward materials and high-performance construction reflects a forward-thinking approach to environmental impact.
