Shear Structural

The owners of Shear Structural call their business a “force in structural engineering.” That’s not just because the firm has lent its services to 26 award-winning building projects, has committed to more diversity in the workplace, or made it a mission to donate a portion of profits back to the community.  

It’s because of the way they approach being the state’s only 100% women-owned and women-managed structural engineering firm.  

When co-founders and managing partners Karen Jenkins, Holly Jeffreys, and Malory Atkinson started the business in late 2017, they intentionally brought three different perspectives to a very male-dominated, high-tech industry.  

All three women come from a different generation and have had different career paths. All three are also mothers, two of them with young children. From the beginning the company’s culture was one of flexibility and empathy; the global pandemic affirmed this business approach.  

The diversity of Shear Structural’s managing partners translates to their employees, and in turn the type of projects Shear Structural takes on.  

“We see a value in having different backgrounds and perspectives at the company. These qualities just make us better because we’re designing environments for people of all shapes and sizes, so we are able to address and problem solve for a variety of clients and preferences,” Atkinson said.  

Shear Structural selects projects they feel will positively impact the community and the next generation. Their primary market sectors are education, healthcare, municipal work, and adaptive reuse. They are best-known for their work in adaptive reuse, which is taking a building that was designed for one use and adapting it for another purpose.  

“In our world, reusing existing building stock is important to a sustainable and resilient community,” Atkinson said.  

The food hall expansion at Ponce City Market and the Westside Paper redevelopment are two of the firm’s better-known adaptive reuse projects, among many others.

Shear Structural also gives back to the community with nonprofit work. As a “Go Beyond Profit” corporate pledge participant, the company pledges 10% of its profits back to the community every year, and as part of that pledge, does at least one completely free or pro-bono project. 

For example, in 2022 the company renovated the Boys and Girls Club in Chamblee at no cost, and in 2021 the company provided no-cost design services for the At-Promise Youth Center with the Atlanta Police Foundation. They have also worked with charities such as the Historic District Development Corporation, the Empty Stocking Fund, and Third Lense. 

With 15 employees and licenses to operate in 11 states, the Chamblee-based business has not only seen success in carving out a space for women in the industry, but financially as well.  

Of the 12.3 million women-owned companies in the United States, only 1.7% generate $1 million or more in annual revenue, a benchmark that most new businesses strive to hit as a signal of legitimacy and success. Shear Structural hit that milestone in its first year in business.  

Looking forward, sustainable growth is a priority. The next five years will be focused on making a positive impact and hiring people who are passionate about playing a role in Shear Structural’s work and mission. Their success will also demonstrate the range of opportunities for female entrepreneurs, no matter the sector.  

“Sometimes as women we tend to want everything to be perfect, and typically we’re more risk-averse, we’re like ‘what if we fail?’ But that’s why we want to show people, sure you could fail, but you could also be successful,” Atkinson said. “We need all kinds of diversity in the small business world. It makes all of us better.”  

For these reasons and more, Shear Structural is named a 2023 Small Business ROCK STAR.   

Every year in honor of Georgia Small Business Week, the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) and the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) team up to present a few outstanding small businesses with the title of Small Business ROCK STARS The awards salute the risks, innovations, outreach, and impact of the state’s small businesses. Each of this year’s winners have fewer than 300 full-time employees, make a positive impact in their community, and were founded in the State of Georgia. Learn more about the program and the rest of the 2023 ROCK STARS and nominate a company for the 2024 Small Business ROCK STAR Awards.