By Emily Robertson
Born and raised right here in Warren County, Rylan Shea headed to Western Kentucky University after high school graduation, but after two semesters, he realized he had his sights set on a different kind of school and a unique profession.
“After I finished up my time at Western, I ran into an auctioneer who suggested I give the career a try,” Shea says. “Just a few months later, I was off to auction school. Similar to a trade school, the things you learn at auction school can change your life, like it did mine.”
Shea learned quickly how auctions work and how as an auctioneer, you have the ability to help everyday people with real world problems. He went on to start 6S Auction Company, which specializes in the auction method of marketing to sell assets such as luxury real estate, farmland, land with timber and real estate rental portfolios.
Shea says he chose the name 6S Auction Company because of a family brand that his father created many years ago to symbolize the six members of the Shea family: the four sons and Shea’s parents, Robin and Greg Shea. His parents, along with other family members have been important forces for him his entire life.
“The biggest influences in my life have been my mother and father, my uncle, Brad Cross, and my pops, Bob Burr,” Shea says. “These men showed me what it means to work and to do the right thing when no one is watching. These two lessons mean more to me than they will ever know. My mother taught me about loving people. She impressed on me that regardless of background appearance or behavior, we should just love. I have taken all of these lessons and applied it to my work as an auctioneer. It is my mission to always work hard, do what is right and love people.”
That mantra has led Shea to see immense success in Kentucky and Tennessee. “The years 2022 and 2023 were quite literally banner years for us and it is not over yet,” Shea says. “In November 2022, I received the honor of Tennessee State Reserve Grand Champion Auctioneer and this past January, I was crowned the Kentucky State Champion Auctioneer, a title I will carry with me forever. This coming July, I will be representing the state of Kentucky in Oklahoma City at the International Auctioneering Championships, which is the largest stage in the auction industry. Simply having the opportunity to go is incredible.”
Shea also uses his skills as an auctioneer to help fundraise for more than 40 organizations’ galas around the country under the 6S Auction Company fundraising umbrella.
“This is something I am incredibly passionate about,” Shea says. “When you have the opportunity to sit down with people from all walks of life and hear their stories, it truly does shape how you see the world.”
Away from auctioneering, Shea is passionate about two things, his fiance and his faith. He has had the opportunity to share his professional success with his fiancé, Baylor Winger, after reconnecting with her when he moved back to the area. The pair started dating in 2021, and they are planning a summer 2023 wedding. But, Shea says he wouldn’t have stood a chance in winning his fiancé over had he not made a personal commitment to his faith in 2021.
“My greatest accomplishment in my life as a whole was realizing that I was a flawed person and accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior changed the trajectory of my life forever,” Shea says. “I wandered the earth for many years never knowing what salvation was until September 2021 when I was baptized at Nolin Lake with my friends and family there to see.”
Now, as Shea looks toward the future, he hopes to see growth, both personally and professionally.
“As far as 6S Auction Company, we are here to stay,” Shea says. “Since we have a footprint in multiple states, I very much look forward to assisting sellers all across the states of Kentucky and Tennessee. And, for Baylor and I, we hope to be blessed to have children in the coming years and right now we are simply trying to make it to the wedding.”