My Great Day Story — Featuring Alex Grist

At Great Day Improvements, we believe that every employee has a unique story to tell, reflecting not just their personal growth but also the values and culture that make our company special. In our series, “My Great Day Story,” we are proud to feature the journeys of employees who have built their careers within our company and its many brands. Twice a month, we will highlight a different team member’s experiences, challenges, and triumphs, offering insights and lessons learned along the way.

Through these stories, we aim to inspire and support others on their career journeys, showcasing the diverse paths that can lead to success within our organization. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, we hope these stories resonate with you and provide valuable guidance as you navigate your own journey.

Alex started her home improvement career at Chamion Windows as a part-time brand ambassador and has since grown into the Director of Client Experience and Inside Sales, supporting Great Day’s Patio Enclosure brand.

Can you start by sharing a bit about your background and how you initially joined the company?

I have been in home improvement for years! My career started at Champion Windows as a part-time brand ambassador in their Field Marketing department. I went on to become a Regional Event Manager over the next couple of years. When Covid hit, and field marketing was put on pause, I worked in donor funding and event planning in the anti-human trafficking sector. I missed home improvement, though, and quickly got back to working with brands like Renewal by Andersen, Bath Planet, and more, covering everything from kitchens to flooring. During that time, I transitioned my focus to building Client Experience and Inside Sales teams. I had been watching what Great Day Improvements had been accomplishing and was impressed by the company’s healthy growth mindset. When the opportunity arose to join the Patio Enclosures team, it felt like an easy yes!

What motivated you to pursue a career within the company?

I have always been inspired by companies that prioritize the customer experience and work towards improving it. GDI and its leaders regularly exemplified that when I crossed paths with them. I had connected with Mike Moore years ago and really respected what he was doing within Patio Enclosures. Listening to his transparency and true care for the company really inspired me to want to be part of what was being built!

Can you share a pivotal moment or project that played a significant role in your early career development?

One of the most rewarding moments early in my time as a regional manager came when I was asked to let a manager go due to poor performance. Instead, I asked for a month to work with them. During that time, I focused on building a real connection and understanding what was holding them back. By the end of the month, they had turned things around and eventually became one of the top performers in the national department. They later told me no one had ever taken the time to truly listen to them. That feedback changed the way I approach every conversation with my team. Listening to learn, more often than not, leads to results you’ll never find by only looking at a spreadsheet.

How did you navigate challenges during your early career, and what did you employ to overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges I had to overcome when I first got started was getting tools to work with Executive Dysfunction. Processing information can be tough for people who struggle with that, and it took me time to figure out how to navigate those moments and find solutions to work around them. Some days, I have to give myself more grace when I’m dealing with stressful moments, but once I implemented different resources to help, it was a game-changer!

As you progressed in your career, were there specific skills that you worked on to enhance your professional profile?

I was lucky enough, early on, to have mentors who took time to pour into me. One of the best things I learned was the importance of learning about and connecting with other departments. For instance, sales needs operations, and the call center needs marketing. No job should be beneath you. I’ve taken customer service calls, generated leads, helped with warehouse inventory, and even helped build a small-scale sunroom! Everyone plays a vital role in the company’s success. It behooves us all to learn about every part of the business and to call out greatness when we see it!

Tell us about the transition from your initial role to a new position. How did you identify this opportunity, and what steps did you take to make the move successfully?

My initial role, years ago, was supposed to be part-time in lead generating. The opportunity came about to apply for an Event Manager role. I loved connecting with customers and being part of a team, so it seemed like a natural progression to step into that position. I took time to study what I thought the “successful” people in that department were doing and began trying to adopt that behavior within myself before I led anyone.

Were there specific mentors or role models who played a significant role in your career advancement? How did they influence your professional development?

I have been lucky enough to have so many wonderful mentors in my life over the years, but the one that always sticks out is a sales leader named Skyler Talbott. Skyler was the first person in my professional life to ever call greatness out in me. I had no real direction in my career before I met him. When other people had told me why I couldn’t do something, he asked me why not and pushed me to have big goals. Having him pour into me and show me how to navigate difficult situations while keeping an even keel was massively impactful on my career.

Looking ahead, what are your future career goals, and how do you plan to continue your professional development within the company?

My future goals revolve around growing and maximizing the impact of our Client Experience and Inside Sales team at Patio Enclosures! I want the team to help make Great Day one of the most referable companies in the nation by creating some of the best possible experiences they could ask for. As far as my professional growth, I want to keep surrounding myself with people who are smarter than I am. I want to learn as much as I can about every element that goes into our designs, processes, etc.

Any advice for colleagues or individuals aspiring to advance their careers within the organization?

Listen to learn! Get in the trenches with your team and lose the phrase, “that’s not my job!” Become a solution finder. Check in with yourself regularly to make sure you are still doing things that bring you joy. Be open to constructive feedback, so you can improve and be the best version of you. Lastly, if you struggle with imposter syndrome, which so many of us do, remind yourself that you are here for a reason. The company needs the strengths you bring!