Meet Karina Torres | Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karina Torres and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karina, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
Determining whether to persist or give up in a business venture hinges on assessing both your passion and the tangible progress made. Failure is an inevitable part of any entrepreneurial journey, and the key lies in how you respond to it. If you learn from each mistake and adapt your strategies, success can eventually follow. Passion and dedication are critical: if your love for what you do remains strong, perseverance can lead to eventual triumph.
However, if continual efforts leave you feeling drained and your initial drive has faded, it may be time to reconsider your path. Letting go doesn’t equate to failure- it can be a strategic decision to open yourself to new opportunities better suited to your skills and aspirations.
Ultimately, whether you decide to persist or pivot, stay true to your dreams and maintain faith in your journey.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
BellaLina’s began with the vision of renting luxury dresses at affordable prices, and it has grown rapidly over the past four years. The journey has been challenging, with many ups and downs from which I have continuously learned. Mental health has played a significant role in this journey, but my faith in God and the support from my family, friends and clients have left me going.
At BellaLina’s, I cater to women of all shapes and sizes, focusing on uplifting and empowering them. Each piece in the collection is thoughtfully selected to make women feel confident in front of the camera. My mission is to impact women positively and remind them that we are all in this together.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh goodness, this is a tough one! I highly recommend taking a stroll through any of Houston’s beautiful parks. For sports fans, catching a baseball game at Minute Maid Park or a basketball game at the Toyota Center is a must. Houston is also famous for its Sunday brunch spots, so enjoying a Sunday Funday brunch is an absolute must.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I attribute my success to God. I also owe immense gratitude to my husband, who has stood by me through every high and low, provided the initial funding to this venture, and has been my biggest supporter from day one- Victor, I love you (@Krspyvic). My family, including my children and in-laws, deserve recognition for their unwavering support and assistance whenever I needed it.
I also want to acknowledge my fellow photographers; your stunning work with my dresses brings me immense joy and has been instrumental in this journey. Your contributions are deeply appreciated.
Finally, to all of my clients, thank you for making me a part of your lives. Your stories and the impact my business has on you are incredibly inspiring. We are women, mothers, wives, entrepreneurs, and so much more-never forget to let your light shine.

Website: https://www.bellalinascouture.com

Instagram: @bellalinas_

Facebook: @bellalinas_

Other: TikTok @Bellalinas_

Image Credits
@kanisphotography