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Redefining Rich: Achieving True Wealth With Small Business, Side Hustles, and Smart Living; Library Edition
In our dysfunctional economy, “success” often comes at great personal cost . . . we’re tired, we’re stressed out, and we have no time for family and friends. It’s time to redefine “rich.”
From a third-generation farmer and successful entrepreneur, Redefining Rich is an entrepreneur’s guide to balancing work and family with the pleasures of the good life, with simple exercises and important lessons to serve everyone from the new sole proprietor to a seasoned CEO.
Shannon Hayes was in the final months of her PhD program, recently engaged, and beginning to plan her future. Having grown up on a northern Appalachian sheep farm, she had two advantages: a hard-won education and hillbilly pragmatism. But when it came time to enter the job market, Hayes made a tough discovery: the economy just doesn’t work. It doesn’t work for women, for free thinkers, for the working class, or for white-collar professionals. It doesn’t work in rural America, much less in the cities and the suburbs. It forces us to choose between career and family, profit and creativity.
So, Hayes and her husband walked away from their career paths and chose to forge a life on her family’s frost-plagued mountain farm, starting up a small café in town. Together, they found their sweet spot: a place where the Appalachian farm culture and sensibilities she and her community have lived by helped them thrive, even in a tough economic environment. Against the odds, the Hayes family built a business that lets them live abundantly, spend time with family, and enjoy the gifts of nature. And the business even helped reinvigorate their chronically economically depressed town.
But the journey to this point was rife with challenges, tumbles, and mistakes. With humor, lively stories, and assurance, Hayes reveals the best lessons she’s learned for taking an alternate path, whether it lies in rural America, in the ‘burbs, or the heart of the city. She outlines the fundamentals of sustainable wealth, how to develop income streams, get organized, bring family into the business, ask for fair prices and market efficiently, and—the most important lesson of all—set personal boundaries and say “no” even while sustaining relationships. Hayes shows entrepreneurship is the means to build sustainable communities, keep families together, and foster great creative fulfillment.
Redefining Rich will comfort, instruct, amuse, and inspire those of us who are trying to make our lives work in untraditional ways.
From a third-generation farmer and successful entrepreneur, Redefining Rich is an entrepreneur’s guide to balancing work and family with the pleasures of the good life, with simple exercises and important lessons to serve everyone from the new sole proprietor to a seasoned CEO.
Shannon Hayes was in the final months of her PhD program, recently engaged, and beginning to plan her future. Having grown up on a northern Appalachian sheep farm, she had two advantages: a hard-won education and hillbilly pragmatism. But when it came time to enter the job market, Hayes made a tough discovery: the economy just doesn’t work. It doesn’t work for women, for free thinkers, for the working class, or for white-collar professionals. It doesn’t work in rural America, much less in the cities and the suburbs. It forces us to choose between career and family, profit and creativity.
So, Hayes and her husband walked away from their career paths and chose to forge a life on her family’s frost-plagued mountain farm, starting up a small café in town. Together, they found their sweet spot: a place where the Appalachian farm culture and sensibilities she and her community have lived by helped them thrive, even in a tough economic environment. Against the odds, the Hayes family built a business that lets them live abundantly, spend time with family, and enjoy the gifts of nature. And the business even helped reinvigorate their chronically economically depressed town.
But the journey to this point was rife with challenges, tumbles, and mistakes. With humor, lively stories, and assurance, Hayes reveals the best lessons she’s learned for taking an alternate path, whether it lies in rural America, in the ‘burbs, or the heart of the city. She outlines the fundamentals of sustainable wealth, how to develop income streams, get organized, bring family into the business, ask for fair prices and market efficiently, and—the most important lesson of all—set personal boundaries and say “no” even while sustaining relationships. Hayes shows entrepreneurship is the means to build sustainable communities, keep families together, and foster great creative fulfillment.
Redefining Rich will comfort, instruct, amuse, and inspire those of us who are trying to make our lives work in untraditional ways.
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First published August 10, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 22, 2022
Really happy I read this when I did, and I’ll definitely be rereading it! I’m sort of allergic to business advice literature but this is a horse of a different colour. It was emotional and liberating to hear someone in the farming/cafe/hospitality universe say that overwork is performative and short sighted. There’s a lot of tangible advice on efficiency and process, and a thoughtful nudge to look around yourself and truly appreciate how much you already have.
December 8, 2021
3.5 stars. I sort of felt the same about this book as I did her first. There were things I really liked, and things I didn’t. I felt that some of the research was weak, with obscure statistics that didn’t give a well-rounded views, or assumptions about “types of people”.
I liked the chapters about reclaiming your time and treating time as non-monetary income. I liked the tips on creating routines and simplifying processes. I appreciate any woman that encourages others to say NO.
Overall, I think a lot of the ideas in this book are oversimplified, but I do also think there is a lot here to consider and possibly implement for a fuller life. It gave me a lot to think about despite its flaws.
I liked the chapters about reclaiming your time and treating time as non-monetary income. I liked the tips on creating routines and simplifying processes. I appreciate any woman that encourages others to say NO.
Overall, I think a lot of the ideas in this book are oversimplified, but I do also think there is a lot here to consider and possibly implement for a fuller life. It gave me a lot to think about despite its flaws.
June 12, 2022
An inspirational, practical manual for entrepreneurs looking to start a local business in the sustainable economy. Could help many find courage to start, and start now, so deserves an audience. Chapter 4 on "Income" is especially suscinct with baseline financial wisdom for everyone, an update and upgrade on Rich Dad Poor Dad and Your Money of Your Life.
P3 “well, that economy never worked for me” re daughter’s q on the climate crisis. Glad she is jumping right in with the hardest issues, and this is indeed a most helpful and diplomatic answer to give a child: fear is a bad motivator, and the message delivery must improve.
P48 Alongside the Quality of Life Statement (QOLS): “How do you know if you’re doing well if no one is there to hand you a diploma, or a promotion, or an evaluation?”
P72 Having a small business is financially beneficial and it also releases fear, for ”an entrepreneur sees nonstop opportunity right in their own backyard”.
P177 “ Whatever you’re meant to do, do it now. The conditions are always impossible.” -Doris Lessing. Many of the chapter leading quotations are meaningful and most appropriate. Also p184, the closing quote: “Believing takes practice” – Madeleine L’Engle, from A Wrinkle in Time.
P182 “if you’re not growing, you’re dying” .. claimed as true if looking a whole lived life, not as a business top line number.
Seems like I have one decade on Shannon, so I’ll bleat my largest complaint: she writes unabashedly only from her own perspective, inviting readers to emulate her journey. She remains judgemental of the dominant global economy, and especially dubious of the Farm Bill, which supports cheap commodities for overprocessed foods. As a highly educated thought leader which a professor father and family/neighbors with deep farming roots, she kind of feels herself superior to industrial farming and unsustainable agrobusiness. She is probably that her ecologically and humanely superior ways are better, but they are price most people out. And she unabashedly reserves the right to her high prices, which value her time appropriately. She says we must move being the scarcity mindset in the market economy. These abstractions don't scale, even if we as a society did wisely reclaim half of our healthcare spending by instead shifting that 5-10% of GDP to organic, local, nutrious foods. Society needs to become local and sustainable, and thereby anti-fragile, but it isn't this way today, and her advice needs to work during the decades long transition.
Shannon advocates gratitude to customers, and to the support government give to people like her who live with very little formal income close to the poverty line, eg medicaid and scholarships. Yet the same fossil fuel underpinned corporate globalized impersonal economy she battles, it keeps >50% of our boomed global population alive, as we migrate to 70%+ urbanized lifestyles. She should remain grateful that people who are not her customers remain alive by the societal institutions and low price producers who keep the dominant economy moving, so that she can exist at the top, comfortable end of it. Most of humanity, along with her own multi-generational business and "global middle class" aspirations like education, would perish without the modern economy.. we learned what are essential workers.
P3 “well, that economy never worked for me” re daughter’s q on the climate crisis. Glad she is jumping right in with the hardest issues, and this is indeed a most helpful and diplomatic answer to give a child: fear is a bad motivator, and the message delivery must improve.
P48 Alongside the Quality of Life Statement (QOLS): “How do you know if you’re doing well if no one is there to hand you a diploma, or a promotion, or an evaluation?”
P72 Having a small business is financially beneficial and it also releases fear, for ”an entrepreneur sees nonstop opportunity right in their own backyard”.
P177 “ Whatever you’re meant to do, do it now. The conditions are always impossible.” -Doris Lessing. Many of the chapter leading quotations are meaningful and most appropriate. Also p184, the closing quote: “Believing takes practice” – Madeleine L’Engle, from A Wrinkle in Time.
P182 “if you’re not growing, you’re dying” .. claimed as true if looking a whole lived life, not as a business top line number.
Seems like I have one decade on Shannon, so I’ll bleat my largest complaint: she writes unabashedly only from her own perspective, inviting readers to emulate her journey. She remains judgemental of the dominant global economy, and especially dubious of the Farm Bill, which supports cheap commodities for overprocessed foods. As a highly educated thought leader which a professor father and family/neighbors with deep farming roots, she kind of feels herself superior to industrial farming and unsustainable agrobusiness. She is probably that her ecologically and humanely superior ways are better, but they are price most people out. And she unabashedly reserves the right to her high prices, which value her time appropriately. She says we must move being the scarcity mindset in the market economy. These abstractions don't scale, even if we as a society did wisely reclaim half of our healthcare spending by instead shifting that 5-10% of GDP to organic, local, nutrious foods. Society needs to become local and sustainable, and thereby anti-fragile, but it isn't this way today, and her advice needs to work during the decades long transition.
Shannon advocates gratitude to customers, and to the support government give to people like her who live with very little formal income close to the poverty line, eg medicaid and scholarships. Yet the same fossil fuel underpinned corporate globalized impersonal economy she battles, it keeps >50% of our boomed global population alive, as we migrate to 70%+ urbanized lifestyles. She should remain grateful that people who are not her customers remain alive by the societal institutions and low price producers who keep the dominant economy moving, so that she can exist at the top, comfortable end of it. Most of humanity, along with her own multi-generational business and "global middle class" aspirations like education, would perish without the modern economy.. we learned what are essential workers.
July 6, 2023
Shannon Hayes' first book, "Radical Homemaker" was memorable. It had surprised me that this author, who had a PhD, questioned whether she would even encourage a university experience for her children. My hope in purchasing this book was that she would expound on those thoughts that would now be in light of her life experiences as a 'Radical Homemaker' with two children. But those thoughts were not expressed in this book. However, the chapter on income had gems in it. My favorite: "...employment income is the most expensive to bring home."
Today I feel I should participate in our state's political quagmire: another insanely ridiculous corporate funding enterprise designed to further mar our beautiful land (a CO2 pipeline). This latest fiasco will be much like a derailed train continuing to rumble.
She shares her thoughts on working against the already-corporate-captured government operations: "Fighting policy puts us in a mental frame of mind to focus on all that is unfair and stacked against us. She goes on to recommend "life serving economics" with 1) meaningful employment, 2) business income, 3) non-monitary income, and 4) passive income. She suggests using any three, keeping quality of life issues as a focus. The non-monitary income spreadsheet is definitely worth a look.
Today I feel I should participate in our state's political quagmire: another insanely ridiculous corporate funding enterprise designed to further mar our beautiful land (a CO2 pipeline). This latest fiasco will be much like a derailed train continuing to rumble.
She shares her thoughts on working against the already-corporate-captured government operations: "Fighting policy puts us in a mental frame of mind to focus on all that is unfair and stacked against us. She goes on to recommend "life serving economics" with 1) meaningful employment, 2) business income, 3) non-monitary income, and 4) passive income. She suggests using any three, keeping quality of life issues as a focus. The non-monitary income spreadsheet is definitely worth a look.
November 30, 2021
Redefining Rich is a fabulous resource for thinking outside the cultural norm of wealth, jobs, and income. It not only outlines a fresh perspective on smart living, but also includes questions and Reflection Challenges to help readers learn and apply the principles in their lives. It is a breath of fresh air amid the fumes of the hustle and consumer culture to be more and buy more. It gives hope and encouragement for our young family and the future. I found it to be the perfect companion to her book Radical Homemakers as it breaks the concepts down further into bite sized chunks that can be applied to all walks of life.
November 27, 2021
Being “rich” is often defined as how much wealth you have. But what if being rich was defined by engaging work, financial security, time for family, community, nature and a better world. Often times in a scarcity or extractive economy the desire to attain wealth requires you to sacrifice true wealth. True wealth being defined in many different ways, but more time with family and loved ones, time to laugh around a meal, nourishing food, time to explore and rest. This book has left me with a lot to think about.
October 18, 2021
Shannon got me thinking with her book The Radical Homemaker. I listened to her talk at MOFGA years ago. Long Way on a Little hurled us into raising our own meat. Her blog is inspiring and in step with all those is this new book. She has distilled her long time business, family, farm, and community wisdom and put it all in this book. Her practical and well thought out tips are spot on for new and not-so-new business owners that want to have a 'rich' family life. Bravo!
March 26, 2022
I won a copy of this book.
Invention is the mother of necessity. When Shannon Hayes and her husband realized the corporate American thing wasn't for them, they decided to do something different. In this book, Hayes helps to walk the reader through how she and her family have built a business that is capable of sustaining her family and helping the community she resides in.
Invention is the mother of necessity. When Shannon Hayes and her husband realized the corporate American thing wasn't for them, they decided to do something different. In this book, Hayes helps to walk the reader through how she and her family have built a business that is capable of sustaining her family and helping the community she resides in.
March 29, 2022
This wasn’t what I expected. There are ideas here applicable to all but many things here that will never become universally agreed upon. I tend to agree with the author. I found this book thought provoking and even challenging to me. I want to be forced to think and be challenged in these areas. Definitely not a book that will be a bestseller, but one that probably should be.
May 7, 2025
Great book for those just starting out in small business. Some of the reviews found it to be oversimplified and, while I can see where they are coming from, this felt more geared towards someone about to make the leap- not classic “business advice.” Shifting focus to community building and quality of life, rather than profitability, was refreshing.
September 29, 2021
Enjoyable reflections
We may not find ourselves on the same road as others in the way we plan our lives, and yet we all strive to be happy, healthy and live in abundance.Shannon explains how it works for her.
We may not find ourselves on the same road as others in the way we plan our lives, and yet we all strive to be happy, healthy and live in abundance.Shannon explains how it works for her.
December 22, 2021
Great book for people looking for an alternative to the dominant paradigm about how to live life. Now to put some suggestions into practice!
March 7, 2022
I love Shannon Hayes and this book was a great read . Definitely would recommend to someone wanting to start a business .
September 2, 2022
Much needed follow up to Radical Homemakers. More practical information in this one. Succinct.
October 24, 2022
WOW! This book is abso-frickin-lutely fantastic.
August 1, 2023
AMAZING! This book was a great balance of offering advice, encouraging me to pause and reflect, and dream. Plus it's really funny!
September 18, 2024
Shannon Hayes speaks directly to my soul 🫶🏼
August 24, 2025
Had a hard time receiving the basically correct and admirable messages through the overwhelming sense of being in the audience at a TEDx Talk.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews