We were lucky to catch up with Katrina Kelley recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Katrina, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
My optimism comes from experience—both the hard lessons and the beautiful surprises along the way. Building a business like Cigar Bella from the ground up, especially in a niche like live cigar rolling, has taught me that things do fall into place when you’re consistent, present, and open to growth.
It also comes from watching the women on my team show up with strength, grace, and purpose every day. Knowing we’re creating something truly special—offering cigar rollers for weddings and events in a luxurious, intentional way—keeps me hopeful and excited for what’s ahead. Even when things get tough, I choose to see possibilities instead of problems. That mindset has carried me through so much.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m the founder of Cigar Bella, a luxury cigar experience brand that brings something fresh and elevated to events through live cigar rolling. What makes it special is not just the experience itself, but how we deliver it—with an all-women team of master cigar rollers who bring elegance, skill, and genuine presence to every event.
We specialize in creating standout moments for weddings, corporate events, private parties, and brand activations. Our clients aren’t just hiring a cigar roller for a wedding or party—they’re bringing in a curated, luxury experience that guests will remember.
Right now, we’re focused on expanding into new markets and continuing to build relationships with planners, luxury venues, and high-end clients. We’re proud to now serve cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Miami, New York City, Newport Beach, and Scottsdale.
What’s next? We’re working on more curated brand collaborations, launching new packaging for custom cigar favors, and continuing to grow a presence in the luxury wedding and events world. But no matter how much we grow, the heart of the brand stays the same: excellence, authenticity, and meaningful experiences.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three key qualities have had the biggest impact on my journey with Cigar Bella: **resilience**, **vision**, and **relationship-building**.
1. **Resilience**
Starting and growing a luxury brand in a niche space like **live cigar rolling** comes with challenges—everything from logistics to stereotypes about what cigar rollers “should” look like. Resilience helped me push forward, especially on the hard days when things didn’t go as planned. My advice: expect bumps in the road, but don’t let them stop you. Learn from them, adapt, and keep moving.
2. **Vision**
From day one, I knew I didn’t want to just offer cigar rollers for weddings or events—I wanted to create an *experience*. Having a clear vision helped guide every decision, from branding to the type of team I built (all women, by design). For those just starting out: don’t be afraid to dream big, but also take time to define what sets your brand apart. That clarity will help you stay grounded and focused.
3. **Relationship-Building**
This business thrives on relationships—with planners, venues, clients, and vendors. People remember how you make them feel. We’ve been able to grow because we care about delivering more than just a service—we offer something memorable. My advice here: show up with authenticity and follow through on your word. Trust is everything.
If you can nurture these three areas, the rest becomes a lot more manageable. And remember: progress over perfection—always.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I try to slow everything down—mentally and physically. I’ve learned that taking even a few quiet minutes can shift everything. I’ll pause, make some green tea, breathe deeply, and do a quick 10-minute yoga stretch or get on my vibration plates. That movement and mindfulness helps ground me.
One thing that helps a lot is focusing on *just one task*. As a business owner managing a growing team of cigar rollers and luxury events, it’s easy to get pulled in too many directions. But I remind myself that things don’t need to be perfect—they just need to keep moving.
My advice: don’t be afraid to unplug for a bit. You’re not a machine, and your energy is your most important asset. Create small, realistic routines that bring you back to yourself. It makes all the difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cigarbella.com
- Instagram: https://cigarbella.com/cigarbella
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@cigarbella
Image Credits
Evolve Photography
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