For much of her career, Shayanne Currie has worked in loud, colorful environments. So, when she came into the corporate office life, it was a bit daunting. Shay left behind the decorated bulletin boards and high energy lifestyle of an early childhood educator and stepped into the browns and grays of the 9-5 lifestyle. Only seven months into this new position, she has already left a permanent mark on not only everyone around her, but the structure and routines of the business as well. As we launch our new segment, The Heart Behind Happy Day, we found it only fitting to begin with the first face you see here at Happy Day’s corporate office.
Shay took interest in Happy Day when she began volunteering at local events with her sister-in-law and Southway on Thain manager, Karlee Claunch. She noted the energy and dynamics among office staff, and Karlee eagerly introduced her. Shortly after, Shay applied to be the Administrative Assistant and was welcomed happily into the corporation. In the first few weeks, it was challenging to go through such a drastic career change. She recalled feeling intimidated by the emptier walls and the almost stoic demeanor that typically inhabits an office. This often drives away employees, but Shay saw it as an opportunity. After learning the basics of the job, she began instinctually finding ways to make things brighter.
This unique approach is exactly why Shay’s impact is already felt in every corner of the office. On a typical day, her job is crucial and tedious. On Monday mornings, she comes into work only to be surrounded by tasks that people rely on her for. She runs weekly reports on every restaurant to ensure everything is correct and accurate before sending it off to accounting. Shay coordinates everything from office supplies to employee uniforms, ensuring each store gets what it needs. She individually stamps hundreds of birthday cards every month for our Kid’s Club and Club 55 program, and answers questions about every possible thing you could ask questions about. Her work seems to be nonstop, but when down time presents itself, she utilizes it in the best way possible.
Shay’s Canva account honestly says it all. Typical black and white management shift logs have become colorful, decorated forms with elements unique to the manager’s personalities. Store bought birthday cards are now unheard of here, Shay creates them individually, making sure to include things about each person that would typically go unnoticed. When new employees join our teams, managers expect to see white envelopes come in containing lunch cards, name tags, and new hire paperwork. Now? It’s something people look forward to. The envelopes still come, but now they’re adorned with hand drawn pictures, jokes, and fancy cursive, always in a variety of colors. “Work is something we have to do, all the time. Everybody has to work, so why does everything need to be so professional all the time?” Shay stated as she shared her philosophy. If the manager or staff are the only ones seeing it, why does it have to be just black and white? If there’s an opportunity to make someone smile, always take it.
Beyond the little things, Shay is widely recognized as a ray of light. Each month, Happy Day recognizes employees through SHINE, the company’s core values. Servant leaders, Heart, Inspired, Network, Excellence. Every month, a person is chosen based on their reflection of the SHINE motto. Shay is the first office employee to receive the honor which is typically reserved for restaurant employees. I asked Pat Rogers why he chose her, and he explained that everything she does adds a little shine. Things that used to be ordinary now have a flair, and she treats everyone who walks through our doors as a friend. Shay once said, “I always try to talk to everybody at least once a day, so they know they’re thought about.” and this small action makes a noticeable difference in everyone’s day. For Valentine’s Day this year, Shay organized a card exchange for the office, complete with handmade mailboxes left out on desks. It might be the preschool teacher in her, but the corporate life is starting to change.
Seven months ago, Shayanne Currie stepped into an unfamiliar world of spreadsheets, reports, and office walls that felt a bit too plain. Leaving the classroom for a corporate office wasn’t an easy transition. Instead of adapting to the environment, Shay has slowly changed it. The reports, supply orders, and administrative work remain a vital part of her role, but it’s the extra mile that makes Shay so memorable. She has shown everyone that even the tiniest acts of kindness make a difference.
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