At Inspire Brands, our greatest resource is our people. Guided by our values and behaviors, we strive to be a company that embraces inclusion and diversity in gender, race, background, thinking, and perspective.
In 2021, we rolled out People First @ Inspire, an initiative to ensure we attract, develop, and retain the best possible talent. Part of the People First initiative is Upward Mobility in Restaurant Operations, which involves showcasing team member success stories across our family of brands.
First up is Kiera Shahan, District Manager at Buffalo Wild Wings in Denver, CO.
Did you ever envision your career as it is today?
I would have never guessed I’d be here today, and I can’t imagine my life any other way. I started working at Buffalo Wild Wings my senior year of college with dreams of becoming a nurse. What I didn’t know was this job that I thought was just getting me through school would become my career and change my goals, values, and life forever!
What do you love most about your job?
Anybody that knows me knows that I bleed Buffalo Wild Wings! Starting out as a bartender, I was given the development and motivation to build on my skills and advance through our thriving pipeline of leaders. We are a company that celebrates diversity and recognizes hard work above seniority, which gives inexperienced, ambitious team members an environment to not only thrive, but foster an entire career.
Tell us about one of your greatest Buffalo Wild Wings memories of all time?
My wedding day! My husband and I got married in Las Vegas so of course, we had our reception at no other than Buffalo Wild Wings. It was the best day of our lives and I even got to pour some beer and shake some wings in my wedding dress.
How has Buffalo Wild Wings influenced your personal and professional growth?
Buffalo Wild Wings changed my life through and through. Looking back, it has been a whirlwind of a ride and it just keeps getting better. I’ve become passionate about our core values, particularly ‘Community’ – all that we’ve been encouraged to do across the country and our local communities is incredible. Not to mention, I’ve been empowered to open a regional Champions of Women Leaders chapter that now supports the development of more than 45 active members. I’m surrounded by inspiring mentors and mentees every day, and there is never a dull moment.
“This company feels like home, as I’ve never had the pleasure of having such a giant family,” Kiera shared. “It’s been a rollercoaster throughout the years, reaching extreme highs and lows, from exciting achievements to fighting thought the pandemic struggles together. The people I’ve met and the relationships I’ve grown will be in my heart for the rest of my life.”
This story is part of an ongoing series that highlights the stories of our team members and their career growth as part of People First @ Inspire.
