Meet Karina Castillo

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Karina Castillo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Karina below.

Karina, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

I developed my confidence and self-esteem by growing up in an environment where expression was seen as the best way to be your best self. I was encouraged to be creative, to explore who I am, and to never hold back from showing it. That mindset shaped everything — it taught me that confidence doesn’t come from perfection, it comes from authenticity. The more I embraced my individuality through art and fashion, the more grounded and confident I became in who I am.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Hey, I’m Karina Castillo, founder of Castillo by Karina (CBK). I create fashion pieces that tells a story and lets people make it their own. Right now, I’m working on my next collection, the upcoming CBK Magazine, and some exciting collaborations. For me, it’s all about creativity, joy, and turning art into something personal and fun.

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, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been creativity, resilience, and a commitment to self-expression. Creativity has allowed me to see possibilities where others see limits. Resilience has helped me push through the challenges and doubts that naturally come with building something from scratch. And self-expression — staying true to my vision and voice — has shaped everything I create.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is simple: practice your craft every day, don’t be afraid to fail, and always stay true to yourself. Take risks, embrace challenges as learning opportunities, and surround yourself with people who inspire you. Growth comes from both hard work and curiosity, so stay open, stay consistent, and trust your process

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

Over the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been discipline and holding myself accountable. Running a creative brand like CBK requires balancing endless ideas with the focus to see them through. I’ve learned to set clear goals, stick to my process, and push myself even when it’s challenging or I don’t feel “ready.” That accountability has not only helped me execute my vision more effectively but has also strengthened my confidence in my ability to bring projects to life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.CastilloByKarina.com
• Instagram: @CastilloByKarina
• Facebook: @CastilloByKarina
• Twitter: @CastilloBKarina

Image Credits

Yano
Jose Alvarado
AZFashion Week Media