The Sullivan Family of Companies is far more than a group of custom homebuilders – it’s a mission-driven family of brands shaping the way people live in Western North Carolina. Founded by Sean Sullivan, the company has grown from a vision to deliver high-quality construction into a nationally recognized leader in sustainable, whole-living design. With a vertically integrated structure – including ID.ology Interiors & Design and Atelier Maison & Co. – the Sullivan Family of Companies offers an end-to-end experience: designing green, building green, and furnishing green.
While they’ve received accolades such as the NAHB Custom Home Builder of the Year, what truly sets them apart is their commitment to building happier, healthier lives – not just for clients, but for employees and the community. Each month, the company invites its extended network to give back through volunteering, donations, and community service. Rooted in the Japanese principle of Kaizen – continuous improvement – The Sullivan Family of Companies isn’t just shaping beautiful homes; they’re building a better future.
Tell us about your business and the role you play in it.
I’m Sean Sullivan, founder of The Sullivan Family of Companies, an award-winning group of brands that designs, builds, and furnishes custom sustainable homes across Western North Carolina. Our vertically integrated companies work together to deliver an experience that supports whole living – designing green, building green, and furnishing green.
We’re proud to offer custom homes that blend aesthetics, sustainability, and health, and we’re passionate about making a meaningful impact through the spaces we create and the communities we serve.
Where did your vision begin, and how has it grown?
Like many small businesses, our early vision was simply to deliver a high-quality service. Over time, that evolved into a broader mission: to become the most respected name in custom home building.
Our core purpose now is to build happier, healthier lives – not just homes. Every decision, partnership, and policy is built around that guiding principle.
What made you choose the Asheville area?
After graduating college, I visited Asheville – and I knew immediately that I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. The natural beauty and the community here made it the perfect place to grow both personally and professionally.
Who are your key partners?
On any custom home project, we work with 40 to 50 trades – from electricians to framers. But our strongest and most consistent partners are within our own organization: ID.ology Interiors & Design and Atelier Maison & Co. Their support allows us to offer truly cohesive design and build services, rooted in our whole-living approach.
What has been your greatest challenge? Your greatest victory?
Our biggest challenge has been educating both the public and the trades on the dangers of indoor air pollution and the importance of building healthier homes.
Our greatest victory? Being named Custom Home Builder of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) – a recognition of the quality, integrity, and innovation that defines our work.
What is a little-known fact about your organization?
We operate under the philosophy of Kaizen – a Japanese term meaning continuous improvement. It’s part of our daily culture and helps us ensure we’re always growing, refining, and striving for excellence.
If you had to give one piece of advice to someone just starting out in your field, what would it be?
Don’t try to please everyone. Stick to your convictions, build Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for consistency, and trust in your process. People may falter – but well-designed systems won’t.
What does the word “community” mean to you?
To us, community includes three core audiences:
On the first Friday of each month, we invite everyone – clients and team members alike – to give back by donating money, materials, or time to one of three local charities. It’s one of the ways we live our mission of building happier, healthier lives – together.
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Learn more about The Sullivan Family of Companies by visiting TheSFC.co and following along on Instagram at @ateliermaisonco, @id.ologyinteriorsdesign, and @livingstonedesignbuild.