The Beauty of Relationships: How Michelle Hardesty Is Carrying a Legacy Forward
Growing up in a family-owned cabinet shop in Yucaipa, Michelle Hardesty learned the value of craftsmanship and hard work from an early age. Her father, a skilled woodworker and cabinet maker, and her mother, who ran the finish department, instilled in her a strong work ethic that would later become the foundation of her successful real estate career.
Today, she maintains a unique synergy with her father's business, often bringing him in to consult on property renovations and improvements. Hardesty reflects, "We end up helping each other. He helps me with my clients, and I help him with his. It's been a symbiotic relationship where we've been able to flourish together."
Hardesty's journey into real estate wasn't immediate. Although she obtained her license right after high school and sold one house, she wasn't quite ready for the industry. It wasn't until after turning 30 that she found her true calling. "I was very intrigued by real estate. I always admired houses and architecture," she explains. "I would look at the homes and land magazines, and I would see Perrie Mundy’s ads with Berkshire Hathaway. I thought if I'm going to work for a real estate agent, I want to go to this office."
That decision led to a transformative partnership with Perrie, a veteran realtor with over 55 years of experience in the Redlands community. Starting as an assistant, Hardesty's role evolved into a full partnership about four years ago. "We needed each other," she says of their collaboration. "We're opposites in some ways, and I think we feed off of each other."
From Perrie, Hardesty learned that real estate isn't just about properties—it's about people. "It's not about real estate or houses. It's about the people," she emphasizes. "It's very important to actually be in front of them, look eye to eye. Perrie calls it 'belly to belly' so we can really dive in and have a meaningful conversation."
Now firmly established in Redlands, Hardesty's appreciation for the community runs deep. "I love the actual terrain of Redlands. There's Hills, orange groves, and these little spots where you have special Spanish and mid-century houses, these huge estates. There's a lot of history here, a lot of culture."
Her commitment to the community extends beyond real estate. She prides herself on being active in the community, such as her experience on the benefit committee for the Redlands Bowl, a historic summer festival that provides free entertainment to the community. "It's the only free space where all types of people can go whether you're young, old, rich, or poor," she explains with enthusiasm.
Looking ahead, Hardesty's vision is clear: to continue building on the legacy she's helped create. "I just want to continue what Perrie did the best I can. I'll never be Perrie, but I want to keep working, keep my head down, and try to spread my wings throughout this community on different levels."
In addition to the heart she pours into her work, she carries this notion through even her personal style. Her image through wardrobe and the details in between, showcases timeless sophistication, often incorporating vintage pieces passed down from family members. This connection to heritage, combined with her dedication to service and community, has helped establish Hardesty as a trusted name in Redlands real estate.
As Perrie simply puts it, "If you want to be successful, they become your family." It's a philosophy that has served both women well, creating a legacy that now spans generations of clients. "We are now dealing with grandkids of a lot of our original clientele," Perrie adds. In a world increasingly driven by digital transactions, Hardesty's journey reminds us that at the heart of real estate lies something technology can never replace—the genuine human connections that transform houses into homes and clients into family.
