We’re looking forward to introducing you to Katrina Kelley. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Katrina, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are all about setting the tone—mentally, physically, and energetically. I start by putting on my red light face mask while sipping on a warm cup of green tea. It’s a peaceful, grounding way to wake up. After that, I spend a few minutes on my vibration plates to get my circulation going and shake off any stiffness from the night. Then I roll out my mat and do a 10-minute yoga stretch to wake up my body and breathe with intention. It’s a simple routine, but it helps me show up with clarity and calm before diving into the fast-paced world of business and events.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Katrina Kelley, the founder of Cigar Bella—a luxury cigar rolling experience led entirely by women. We specialize in bringing hand-rolled elegance to upscale events, private parties, weddings, and brand activations through the art of cigar rolling. What makes us unique isn’t just the quality of our cigars or the aesthetics of our setups—it’s the energy, detail, and hospitality we bring to each event.
Our team of professional cigar rollers creates an engaging and elevated atmosphere, whether we’re rolling live at a rooftop wedding or a Fortune 500 corporate event. From our custom displays to our branded cigar bands, everything is tailored for the moment. You won’t just find a cigar roller at a table in the corner—you’ll find an interactive experience that becomes the highlight of the night.
What I’m most proud of is how we’ve redefined expectations around cigar rollers for weddings and events, showing that luxury can be approachable, and tradition can be modern. We operate nationally and continue to grow in cities like Los Angeles, Miami, Austin, and New York, always with a focus on quality, connection, and creating a vibe that guests remember.
At Cigar Bella, we’re not just in the cigar business—we’re in the business of unforgettable experiences. And we’re just getting started.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when I realized I could turn a creative spark into a real experience people remembered. Before I ever launched Cigar Bella, I hand-rolled cigars at a small private party as a favor—and something just clicked. Guests were mesmerized, asking questions, gathering around, engaging with the process. That moment of live cigar rolling, when people stopped what they were doing just to watch and connect, made me feel seen and valued in a way that was completely new.
That was the seed that grew into this business: knowing that as a cigar roller, I wasn’t just offering a product—I was creating a moment. It’s where I first felt the blend of creativity, control, and connection that would eventually define Cigar Bella. Now, when I see our all-women team of cigar rollers doing the same thing—owning their space and commanding the room—I’m reminded that power doesn’t always come from scale. Sometimes, it starts with the spark of being seen doing what you love.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me something that success never could: resilience without applause.
Success often comes with recognition, validation, and momentum. But suffering? That’s silent. It taught me to keep going when no one’s watching, when there’s no instant win, and when you feel like giving up but still show up anyway. It was during the hardest personal and financial times—when I doubted whether I could grow Cigar Bella—that I learned what I was really made of.
Cigar Bella wasn’t built overnight. There were events where things went wrong, logistics fell apart, or I had to roll up my sleeves (literally) and be the cigar roller when others bailed. But in those moments of struggle, I learned how to refine the brand, strengthen my systems, and lead with purpose. I also learned the power of community—how women supporting women, even in small ways, became the backbone of this business.
Now, when people see our team of cigar rollers at a glamorous wedding or luxury brand activation, they see the success. But what they don’t see are the nights I questioned everything, or the hustle it took to go from idea to industry leader. That quiet endurance? That’s what suffering taught me—and it’s made the success that much more meaningful.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say that what matters most to me is creating meaningful experiences and making people feel seen. Whether it’s through business or in personal moments, I lead with heart and intention.
They’d also say I care deeply about empowerment—especially for women. That’s why Cigar Bella exists: to
carve out space in an industry where women cigar rollers are almost unheard of, and to turn cigar rolling into an elegant, interactive, and luxurious experience.
Beyond that, they’d mention how much pride I take in showing up for people—clients, my team, friends. Loyalty, presence, and making memories matter to me, whether I’m organizing a cigar rolling event for a wedding or just being there with tea and real talk on a hard day.
So yes, they’d probably say I care about connection, beauty, and the kind of bold presence that turns heads—but always with warmth and intention.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If immortality were real, what would you build?
If immortality were real, I would build a global legacy brand centered around intentional luxury experiences—starting with Cigar Bella and evolving it into a multi-sensory lifestyle empire.
I’d take the art of cigar rolling—especially with female cigar rollers front and center—and transform it into something immortal in its own right. Think immersive cigar lounges in design-forward cities, cultural hubs where craftsmanship meets storytelling. Not just events, but permanent spaces where people come to connect, celebrate, and honor tradition with a modern, elegant twist.
I’d also build mentorship programs for women in unconventional industries—starting with our team of cigar rollers, of course. Immortality would give me the time to scale globally while never compromising on the quality, intimacy, and luxury that defines us.
And I’d document it all—every launch, lesson, and transformation—so the story lives long beyond even me. Because if time were unlimited, I wouldn’t just build a business. I’d build something unforgettable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cigarbella.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/cigarbella
- Other: https:/tiktok.com/@cigarbella
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