Every day is “Tuesday Morning” for Stacie Shirley ’90, who since January 2016 has served as executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer of the national retail chain.
“I wear a lot of hats, but all my roles meld together,” Shirley said. “I love that I get to be involved with so many different aspects of the company. It makes the job exciting and dynamic.”
A firm believer in working hard and enjoying the fruits of your labor, Shirley typically arrives at her office off Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway in Dallas earlier than most of her team members to focus on and prioritize the day’s projects, as well as address some of the hundreds of emails she receives daily.
Upon entering the building, employees and guests are greeted by Tuesday Morning’s teal color palette, which is reflected in their products around the room, including vases, throw pillows and decorative signs. Two banners in the lobby’s center serve as a reminder of the company’s vision, mission and values. The entry also reminds everyone that Tuesday Morning associates “share a passion for finding incredible deals.”
Known for its “no-frills” shopping experience, Tuesday Morning began in 1974. Founder Lloyd Ross, who was working with big-name manufacturers, realized there was potential to sell closeout inventory at lower prices. Soon, Ross hosted his first pop-up store in a warehouse in Dallas on a Tuesday morning. Ross’ success prompted him to open Tuesday Morning stores, which are named after the “first positive day of the week.”
With more than 700 stores in about 40 states across the nation, Tuesday Morning specializes in offering domestic and international closeouts of medium- to high-end name brand gifts, luxury home textiles, home furnishings, housewares and seasonal decor.
Much like the variety of merchandise at Tuesday Morning, Shirley has myriad responsibilities, including financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and analysis, accounting, internal auditing, cash management, capital budgeting and analysis, investor relations, and strategic leadership.
“Given my role, I am involved in all investment decisions we make, which can range from information technology enhancements to real estate strategy to merchandise plans,” Shirley said. “One of my favorite aspects of the job is building both internal and external partnerships because I’m a people person.”
Deal of a lifetime
As a well-established businesswoman in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Shirley said she wasn’t looking for a new job, but when the position opened at Tuesday Morning, it was an opportunity she could not resist.
“The timing was attractive. The company was going through a transformation, and it was exciting for me to come in and be a part of taking the company to the next level,” Shirley said.
Before joining the Tuesday Morning team, Shirley worked for 14 years at Neiman Marcus and eight years at CompUSA. Her friend and assistant Shawn Pierce began working with Shirley at CompUSA and has been with her for almost 20 years. The two said they are like family.
“Stacie is firm but fair in her interactions with people. She doesn’t pull any punches; basically, what you see is what you get,” Pierce said. “Since this is Stacie’s first job as a CFO for a major retailer, I think she transitioned beautifully into the role. I admire all she has accomplished.”
The majority of Shirley’s workday is characterized by team meetings and meetings regarding current business, financial updates and strategic initiatives.
At one of the corporation’s newest locations in Allen, Texas, visitors can see the company’s new branding and vision. A bold teal Tuesday Morning sign is centered on the tan building’s façade. Inside the store, aisles of treasures, from garden decor and ceramic vases to beauty products and wooden furniture, await shoppers hunting for a deal.
“I can’t imagine not working in retail because you have that tangible proof of your work,” Shirley said. “There’s satisfaction in being able to go into one of our stores to see and feel the environment that you’re impacting every day.”
Always a numbers person
A numbers person and problem-solver, Shirley was destined to major in accounting. In high school, the Wylie, Texas, native enrolled in an accounting course and with little surprise did well in the class. Her knack for numbers and general interest in the field led her to enroll at SFA.
“SFA had a reputation as a university with a great accounting program,” she said. “The size of the school and city was appealing to me.”
After growing up in a small town, Shirley felt at home at SFA with its tightknit student body and smaller student-to-faculty ratio. Shirley and her husband of 27 years, Todd, met when she was 12 years old, and the high school sweethearts attended SFA together.
As a Lumberjack, Shirley was a determined and dedicated student who finished her degree in accounting early.
“The university created an environment that allowed and encouraged questions,” she recalled. “Not being afraid to ask questions is still important to me in my career every day because I’m not going to know everything.”
She also remembers professors who had a lasting impact.
“I feel very fortunate to have had strong accounting professors during my college experience. They were there to help me learn and develop skills that would assist me later in my career,” Shirley said. “Dr. Jack Ethridge is the professor I remember the most because he loved his profession and had a passion for it.”
Ethridge, who has taught at SFA for 35 years, remembers Shirley as an excellent student.
“Stacie was highly motivated and showed a strong desire to learn, which is what makes teaching fun and why I like to teach,” Ethridge said. “Through her work ethic in class, I knew she would be very successful in her career.”
As one who seeks to “never lose sight of her purpose,” Shirley works to ensure her team is supporting the company in ways that will help it achieve its mission.
“I think it is important to have a passion for whatever industry you choose to work in,” Shirley said. “I have a passion for my job, my people and my company.”
While there is no such thing as a typical day for Shirley, her passion for business is constant. Whether she is meeting with potential investors or strategizing with her team, her work ethic seems to mirror Tuesday Morning’s values: passionate about the deal, open and honest, driven to continuously improve, resourceful, and welcoming.