STAFF FOCUS: Dagny Dye

Dagny Dye, Concierge Manager

Two years ago, I sat behind the desk at Common House where Dagny Dye was working and got a glimpse of a day in her life as the Concierge Manager. Members and guests streamed in through the front door. Some people were new to the House and had questions about the space or an upcoming program. Others were regulars or staff members, like me, who wanted to chat with Dagny and be around her. (She has that effect on people, making them feel seen, supported, and understood.) Meanwhile, the phone rang, Slack messages pinged, a voice talked in her headset, and I sat amazed how she was able to navigate it all without breaking a sweat. Later, I asked Dagny how she was able to juggle so many things, and she said, "My job keeps me on my toes, but I love it. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Dagny didn't always know she wanted to be in hospitality. A Fluvanna native, she grew up going to Fridays After Five with friends and thought she wanted to enter the music industry. But after graduating with her Bachelor's in Music Business from Middle Tennessee State University, Dagny moved back to the Charlottesville area and got a job as a server at Zocalo, which is where she first fell in love with hospitality. She enjoyed the fast pace, the people she met, the camaraderie between front and back of house. "I started serving as a way to have steady income, but the work became so much more rewarding than that."

In December 2018, her coworker from Zocalo, Kate Sale, brought Dagny into Common House Charlottesville for drinks. Immediately, Dagny was captivated by the space, the design, the people, and the food and beverage. She was hooked by all things Common House. When she heard there was an opening for a server position, she applied, interviewed with GM Joe Scala, and was hired. She excelled as a server, and it also became clear that her skill sets perfectly align with the qualities that make a great Concierge; Dagny stays calm under pressure, she is an expert multitasker and communicator, and she is someone that people naturally gravitate toward. By mid 2019, Dagny started at the front desk and worked her way up to be the lead Concierge Manager. Now, she oversees the Concierge Teams at all three locations and was instrumental in Common House Richmond and Common House Chattanooga's grand openings. 

Last year, she moved from Charlottesville to Richmond to help out with opening and to begin a new chapter in her life. Dagny reflects on how members and staff have supported her during her transition: "There have been a lot of memorable moments at Common House but something that really stands out is when I came back to help at Common House Charlottesville during the pandemic. I was at the front desk and got to visit with long-time members, like Zikki Munyao and Vinnie Mascia. We had such great conversations. And when I saw Chef Greene, the first thing he said was,’Welcome Home.' It may sound cheesy, but this community really does feel like home to me." 

A home is only as good as the people who fill it, and Dagny has been a driving force in setting Common House’s welcoming, down-home culture. Oftentimes, I look back to that day at the front desk when I saw her in action (balancing phone calls, checks in, questions, and more), and am continually inspired by how she always treats every person with kindness and handles every situation with dignity and grace. Next time you're in Common House Richmond, swing by Concierge and give Dagny a shout; you will likely leave with a pep in your step and a new best friend.