Crystal Elliott and Atterberry Auction and Realty Company, LLC

Crystal and her husband, Tim, purchased Atterberry Auction and Realty Company, LLC, from Larry Atterberry Jr. and his wife, Marla, in July 2019. Crystal is a 1998 graduate of Hickman High School and 2002 graduate of Columbia College, where she received her bachelor of science in business administration with emphasis in management and finance. Crystal and Tim have four daughters and enjoy attending sporting events and traveling in their free time. Crystal is well known around the community as a loyal supporter of Mizzou Athletics, Columbia College and Columbia College Athletics, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Our Lady of Lourdes Interparish School, Father Tolton Catholic High School and various other charities and organizations. 

“Tim and I were actively looking to purchase a business we could work together in and still have time to attend school events and mass with our four children,” Crystal shared. “During the process of working with our business broker, Jeff Guinn at LGI Business Brokers, Tim met Larry Atterberry Jr. at an auction fundraiser meeting for our girls’ school. During their conversation, Tim and Larry spoke about our current situation at the time and a bit about our backgrounds. The two of them felt like our family might be a great fit to help carry on the Atterberry Auction name and way of doing business. Over the next two months we spent time learning more about the business, talking with Larry Jr. and his wife, Marla, and evaluating with Jeff Guinn. Through God’s grace, everything fell right into place and we were able purchase the business three months later, in July 2019.”

Crystal’s formal education and lengthy experience in the insurance industry prepared her to act as the accounting and human resources departments of Atterberry Auction and Realty Company. A Missouri native and long-time resident of Columbia, Crystal is proud to be a local business owner and Columbia Chamber of Commerce member. “I really enjoy meeting new people and seeing the smiles we bring them when completing a successful auction or helping them solve a problem they may have had,” she related.

“We have our first year of business under our belt, and I’m proud of our growth and success, even with COVID-19 in our way,” she continued. “Our team at Atterberry Auction rallied together for us to continue to do business through these trying times and coming out strong as new business owners.”

The learning curve that accompanies being a business owner has been a challenge. “We face new challenges every day,” she said. “Tim and I are taking time to work side by side with our team in an effort to streamline operational procedures and exploring opportunities to enhance the way we do business.

“Our goals for the future are to continue growing the business and to stay innovative and ahead of the curve with technology. Through this we hope to reach new potential buyers and sellers and, in turn, help our sellers obtain the greatest values for their personal items and real estate. In addition, we hope to pave the way for one of our children to carry forward the business should they have the desire to do so.”

What’s her advice to the next generation of female entrepreneurs? “Shoot for the stars and always keep a positive attitude,” Crystal affirmed. “Go after whatever your dreams lead you to do. Life will not always be fair or fun, but with a strong heart, faith in God, and determination, you will be able to achieve anything!” ■

Atterberry Auction and Realty Company is located at 7912 I-70 Drive SE, Columbia, Missouri. To learn more, visit atterberryauction.com or call 573-474-9295.