Today we’d like to introduce you to Catalina Mellado
Catalina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My “aha” moment to pursue the boutique of my dreams came while shopping for a wedding guest dress for a wedding in Greece in the summer of 2023. As I scrolled through various boutique websites, I couldn’t help but fall in love with the beautiful dresses and thought, “If I had my boutique, these are exactly the kinds of styles I’d want to curate.” I found myself daydreaming about everything—how I would style the pieces, take the photos, and how good it would feel to have women feel confident wearing the items I selected.
During the trip, I kept sharing my vision with my best friend, romanticizing the idea of owning my boutique. I confidently told her I’d start once we returned from our trip, and true to my word, that’s exactly what I did.
After the trip, I realized that I had spent about $2,500 on the experience, and while it was worth every penny, I began to think about how far that same amount could go in launching a business. The wheels started turning. I researched the cost of starting an LLC, obtaining a wholesale license, building a website, and acquiring inventory for a launch. Surprisingly, it was all within reach for the same price as my trip. That was the turning point—if I could invest in an unforgettable trip, why not invest in building the business of my dreams?
Owning a boutique may seem trivial to some, but to me, it’s so much more. Fashion isn’t just about clothes—it’s about helping women feel confident and empowered. In the midst of life’s stressors, I want my boutique to be a space where women can treat themselves, feel good, and reclaim a bit of joy in their day. Helping someone feel beautiful is, in its own way, as impactful as any other form of care.
I launched Tan & Linen, Co back in April of 2024. I had my first official launch party where I invited all of my friends, and it was such a success. To hear that reassurance, and seeing my friends fight over pieces they wanted in their size showed me that maybe I do have a talent beyond working in corporate. Maybe I can have something more for myself. In the same year, I also got engaged to the love of my life in one of my dresses from my boutique, which I then named after the winery I got proposed.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
So far, it’s been a pretty smooth process. I made sure not to have unrealistic expectations with myself and to start on a pace that I know I could manage and handle. The hardest part is balancing my full-time job and my online boutique. I would love to have more time to plan photoshoots and create more content, but I know this is just the beginning.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As the Director of Social Media Growth at a Miami-based marketing agency, my expertise lies in all things content related, and staying ahead of emerging trends. I’m passionate about crafting social media strategies that drive brand growth, and I take pride in seeing the results of the pillars I establish for each client.
My love for the digital space naturally led me to start my own online boutique. Although I haven’t been able to dedicate as much time to my personal social media presence as I’d like, I’m excited about the journey and know I’ll eventually find that balance.
What I’m most proud of is finally getting out of my head, putting the doubts aside, and taking the leap of launching my business. I’ve had ideas to launch a business many times, but this is the first time I found the courage to move forward.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I have to give a lot of credit to the incredible people in my life who have supported me along the way. My parents have always been my biggest cheerleaders, encouraging me to pursue my dreams. My former boss, who has since become a close friend and life mentor, has also played a huge role in my personal and professional growth. And of course, my friends have been there every step of the way.
I’ll never forget my first launch party—my friends all showed up, even though they had important commitments the next day. Their excitement was contagious, and they each bought multiple items. Watching them excitedly try on my designs and genuinely love the pieces confirmed for me that I was on the right path. Their support gave me the confidence to keep moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tanandlinenco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanandlinen/
