Meet Kristina Gambarian
We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristina Gambarian and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kristina, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Over time, my approach to work-life balance has shifted significantly. Early in my career, I believed success required constant hustle: long hours, no days off, and always being available. While that helped me build momentum, I eventually realized it wasn’t sustainable or healthy. Burnout taught me that productivity and well-being go hand in hand.
Now, I think of balance less as an even split and more as a dynamic rhythm. There are seasons when work demands more, like during a launch or opening, and that’s okay, as long as I’m intentional about creating space to recover afterward. I prioritize routines that keep me grounded, like daily movement, quality time with loved ones, and mental breaks, even if brief.
Ultimately, I believe balance is about boundaries and being fully present, at work when I’m working, and in life when I’m not. It’s a continuous process of checking in and adjusting, rather than striving for a perfect formula.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At ESO, pasta isn’t just food, it’s our passion. We make it fresh every day, by hand, using ingredients sourced straight from Italy. That’s what sets us apart: real, honest flavors rooted in tradition but made for today.
Getting here wasn’t easy. We started during COVID with big dreams and limited resources. We faced roadblocks, tough decisions, and a steep learning curve. But we stayed focused, worked nonstop, and leaned on each other through it all.
Now, we’re incredibly proud and excited to be opening our first fast-casual restaurant in Optimist Hall in Charlotte. It’s a huge milestone for us and a chance to share our food and our story with even more people.
ESO is about more than pasta, it’s about bringing people together through food that feels like home. We want the world to know that behind every dish is a story, and behind our brand is a lot of soul.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We just moved to Charlotte from Jersey in December, so we’re still exploring, but we’ve already found some favorites! For a quick bite, we love Azul Tacos. For something sweet, it’s Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, and Albertine is our go-to for dinner. On weekends, we take our dog to the park at Lake Norman and shop at the Davidson Farmers Market on Saturdays.
If our best friend came to visit for a week, we’d show them the best of Charlotte: tacos at Azul, a walk through Optimist Hall, ice cream at Jeni’s, dinner at Albertine, a brewery crawl in NoDa, and a relaxing afternoon at Freedom Park or Camp North End. We’d definitely take them to Davidson Farmers Market, then wrap it up with pasta at ESO. Charlotte’s been a warm, exciting new home and we can’t wait to keep discovering it.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There is no question that my shoutout goes to AJ, my husband, partner, and constant source of strength. From the very beginning, he’s believed in every crazy idea, stood by through the long nights, and pushed me to keep going even when I doubted myself. His work ethic, creativity, and passion inspire me daily, and the way he shows up, not just in our business, but in our life, is something I’ll always be grateful for.
Website: https://www.esoartisanalpasta.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esopastaclt?igsh=N3Uyb3hwMGFrdmRn&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
2bMedia LLC Burnell Branch
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