Meet Katrina Kelley

We recently connected with Katrina Kelley 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 believing in the purpose behind what I’m building. Cigar Bella isn’t just a business—it’s about elevating tradition, creating memorable experiences, and breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry.

Even when challenges come up, I stay focused on the bigger vision and the impact we’re making. Seeing our **cigar rollers** shine at events and hearing how much guests loved the experience reminds me that the work matters—and that keeps me moving forward with confidence and hope.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m Katrina Kelley, founder of **Cigar Bella**, a woman-owned luxury brand that specializes in **live cigar rolling experiences** for high-end events. What I do is rooted in tradition, but with a modern, elevated twist—we bring **master cigar rollers** to weddings, corporate events, brand launches, and private parties to create unforgettable moments that are interactive, elegant, and full of character.

What excites me most is how we’re changing perceptions. We’re not just offering cigars—we’re curating an experience that’s cultural, stylish, and inclusive. I love seeing guests light up (literally and figuratively) when they interact with our team, learn something new, or walk away with a keepsake from the night.

Right now, we’re in an exciting growth phase. We’ve expanded our services to cities including **Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Miami, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Newport Beach**, and **New York City**. We’re also exploring new partnerships with event planners, luxury brands, and venues to create more bespoke experiences—and yes, we’re working on some signature Cigar Bella-branded pieces for guests to enjoy and take home.

Cigar Bella is about storytelling through smoke, skill, and setting. It’s luxury entertainment with meaning behind it—and we’re just getting started.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

**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?**

For me, the three most impactful traits were **resourcefulness, relationship-building, and brand clarity**.

Being resourceful helped me stay calm and creative when things didn’t go as planned. Building strong relationships—especially with clients, planners, and our **cigar rollers**—has fueled Cigar Bella’s growth. And having a clear brand vision made every decision more intentional.

My advice? Start where you are, build real connections, and stay focused on your “why.” Consistency and clarity will take you far.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I pause, prioritize, and breathe. I’ve learned that trying to do everything at once only adds chaos, so I focus on what needs my attention *right now* and let the rest wait.

I also remind myself why I started—reconnecting with the mission behind Cigar Bella helps shift my energy from stress to purpose. Whether I’m managing logistics for an event or coordinating with our **cigar rollers**, I break things down into smaller, manageable steps.

My advice? Don’t be afraid to slow down. Take breaks, delegate when possible, and protect your energy—because you *are* your business’s most valuable resource.

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Epic Entertainment

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