LAS VEGAS — We asked CEO and Speaker Krista Whitley some questions to get to know her just a little better.
What is that thing that nags you at 3 a.m. when you can’t sleep?
Krista: If I’m awake at 3 a.m., it’s because of the overweight, snoring old man I sleep with — Nacho, the Chihuahua. He’s 11-and-a-half now. And, I have to beat him to sleep or his little snore will keep me up all night.
In general, I work really hard to get at least 9 to 10 hours of sleep each night. It took me years to establish a routine and stick to it. But, getting to bed early (8 p.m. most nights) helps fuel my natural tendency to be an early morning person. And, it makes it easier for me to start my day by 5 a.m. Starting my day earlier means I get to have dinner with my daughters most nights, and I get a jump on the tasks for the day.
What’s your favorite food?
Krista: In Las Vegas, we have an award-winning, farm-to-table restaurant called El Dorado Cantina. They have a fajita bowl that I adore. It has everything I love about Mexican food in one dish: fresh avocado with perfectly sautéed vegetables. And, if it is served with a Prickly Pear margarita, it’s the perfect dish.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Growing up, we had a fish pond at our house. I always wished it had been a pool, because I love the water. So, ever since I’ve lived in Las Vegas, we have always had a pool. And, my favorite guilty pleasure is just floating around the pool with a good book.
I could spend ten hours a day just listening to music and reading.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Growing up, we spent a lot of time on Kauai visiting my mom’s family. (Kauai is a Hawaiian Island that doesn’t have a complete road all the way around it.) At one end of the road, is the beginning of the Na Pali coast. The beach is called Ke’e Beach. And, it has this incredible reef where the sea turtles sometimes feed in the late afternoon.
With the sun setting, the turtles feeding and the cool breeze blowing, it is my favorite place.