For the past 25 years, Kristine Short, CEO, along with her husband, Steve, has worked to make Atlasta one of Phoenix’s preeminent special event catering companies. With an eye on sustainability, Atlasta operates its facilities and events through a complex zero-waste system. Learn about Kristine Short…
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
First Job: Barro’s Pizza, in the neighborhood I still live in, when I was 15 years old. My husband used to come in and flirt with me while I worked at the counter!
Favorite ways to spend your free time in AZ: My husband and I work together, work a lot and our kids both to go to school out of state, so our free time is often spent talking at conference table drinking coffee. Outside of work, we like to walk, enjoy the weather and–every now and then–actually cook at home.
Biggest accomplishment and why: My husband and I have been married 25 years, raised two amazing young adults, work together every single day and absolutely love each other.
Biggest obstacle you overcame: Managing the business through the pandemic which was at times fraught and downright scary. The uncertainty was painful but a mantra of patience, persistence, perseverance, resilience, resolve, fortitude and strength combined with my husband’s undying optimism and grounding determination allowed for remarkable opportunity and growth.
Someone who inspires you and why: My husband. He knows who is, what he believes in and he works harder than anyone I’ve ever met. He continually studies his own behavior in an effort to get better.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Take it seriously, don’t get enamored by drama, stay humble, get up early, go to bed on time, understand what you don’t know, read, it is harder than it looks.
Favorite quote: “If you are going through hell, keep going.”
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I can be inordinately shy and every day push myself to overcome this. Also, I drink a tremendous amount of coffee and it typically startles people.
What makes someone fabulous: The ability to see challenges as opportunities, to be persistent in the face of adversity and the ability to see humor in the dark times.