Today we’d like to introduce you to Karina Conner.
Karina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Royalty Event Rentals really started from my love of bringing people together and creating experiences that people remember. I’ve always loved parties, events, decorating, and all of the little details that can turn a regular day into something special. I saw an opportunity to take that passion and build something that could make celebrating easier and more exciting for other families.
Like most small businesses, we didn’t start with everything we have today. We started small, learned as we went, listened to what our customers were asking for, and continued reinvesting back into the business. Over time, we were able to expand our inventory and services to include bounce houses, water slides, tables and chairs, photo booth experiences, our inflatable nightclub, décor, and event planning.
Getting to where we are today has taken a lot of hard work, late nights, trial and error, and constantly figuring out what we can do better. I think one of the biggest reasons Royalty has continued to grow is that I’ve never wanted us to just be a company that drops off a rental. I want people to feel like we are helping them create a memory.
I’m also someone who is always thinking about what’s next. I love coming up with new ideas and finding ways to make events more fun, interactive, and unique. As our community has supported us, we’ve been able to keep growing, adding new experiences, and expanding what Royalty Event Rentals can offer.
When I look back at where we started compared to where we are now, I’m incredibly proud. We’ve built more than an event rental business — we’ve become part of birthdays, celebrations, family gatherings, community events, and some really special moments in people’s lives. And I still feel like we’re just getting started.
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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. There have been a lot of moments where I questioned myself, questioned decisions I made, and had to figure things out as I went.
When you own a small business, people usually see the fun side — the parties, the setups, the pictures, the new inventory — but they don’t always see what happens behind the scenes. There have been long days, late nights, unexpected expenses, equipment issues, weather ruining plans, cancellations, and times where I’ve put everything I had back into the business just hoping it would continue to grow.
One of the hardest things for me has been learning that you cannot please everyone. I’m naturally someone who wants people to be happy, so learning to set boundaries, stand firm on policies, charge what our time and services are actually worth, and sometimes say no has been a huge part of my growth as a business owner.
There have also been times when I’ve compared where we were to other businesses and wondered if I was doing enough or growing fast enough. I’ve had ideas that worked really well and ideas that completely flopped. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve trusted the wrong people. I’ve learned lessons the hard way. But every single one of those experiences has taught me something.
I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is that owning a business is not about having everything figured out. It’s about being willing to keep going, keep learning, and keep adjusting. There were definitely moments when quitting would have been easier, but I knew I had built something I believed in.
Looking back now, I’m thankful for the hard parts too, because they made me more confident, more resilient, and a much better business owner. Royalty Event Rentals is where it is today because we kept showing up, even during the seasons when things were hard.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
By day, I work in corporate America, so a huge part of my life is spreadsheets, deadlines, structure, and doing things by the book. I’m very thankful for my career, but I’ve also always had this creative side of me that corporate life just doesn’t give me enough room to use.
That’s where Royalty Event Rentals comes in.
Royalty is basically where my organized corporate brain meets my “let’s make this bigger, cuter, more fun, and completely unforgettable” personality.
We specialize in event rentals and experiences — bounce houses, water slides, tables and chairs, photo booths, our inflatable nightclub, décor, party planning, and whatever fun idea I decide we need to figure out next. I’ve never wanted Royalty to just be a company that drops off equipment and leaves. I want us to help create the whole feeling of an event.
I think what we’re known for is being willing to do things a little differently. I love over-the-top ideas, interactive experiences, unique setups, and finding ways to make an event feel like something guests haven’t seen a hundred times before. If someone comes to me with a wild idea, I’m usually the person saying, “Okay… how can we make that happen?”
What sets us apart is that I care about the details beyond just the rental. I’m thinking about how the setup looks, how people are going to experience it, where they’re going to take pictures, what they’re going to remember, and how we can make the entire event feel special.
I’m most proud that I’ve built something that allows me to be both sides of myself. I can be the corporate professional during the week and still have this completely creative, entrepreneurial outlet where I get to dream big, take chances, and make things happen.
And doing both has actually made me better at each one. Corporate America taught me how to be organized, solve problems, manage responsibilities, and think like a business owner. Royalty has taught me to trust my creativity, take risks, and not be afraid to stand out.
I’m also incredibly proud every time someone chooses Royalty to be part of an important day in their life. We get invited into birthdays, family celebrations, milestones, and community events, and I never want to lose sight of how special that is.
At the end of the day, I’m corporate by day, creative chaos by night — and somehow the combination works. Royalty Event Rentals gives me a place to take all of the ideas floating around in my head and turn them into real experiences that people get to enjoy.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that you have to be willing to grow, change, and trust yourself.
When I first started, I thought success meant saying yes to everything, keeping everyone happy, and trying to do everything perfectly. I’ve learned that none of that is realistic. You’re going to make mistakes. Some ideas are going to be amazing, and some are going to completely flop. Some people are going to support you, and some people simply won’t understand what you’re building.
You cannot let every setback make you question the entire journey.
I’ve also learned how important it is to know your worth. That means valuing your time, setting boundaries, charging appropriately, and understanding that not every customer, opportunity, or idea is meant for you. Saying no can sometimes be just as important as saying yes.
Probably the biggest shift for me has been realizing that I don’t have to have everything figured out before I move forward. I’m naturally a planner, and my corporate side loves structure, spreadsheets, and having all the answers. Entrepreneurship does not always work that way. Sometimes you have to take the chance, figure it out as you go, and trust that you’ll handle whatever comes next.
I’ve learned to give myself permission to be creative, to pivot when something isn’t working, and to stop comparing my chapter to someone else’s.
More than anything, I’ve learned that consistency matters more than perfection. Keep showing up. Keep learning. Keep trying new things. Keep believing in what you’re building, even during the seasons when it feels like nobody else sees the vision yet.
That mindset has probably shaped me just as much personally as it has as a business owner.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @royaltyeventrentals
- Facebook: Royalty Event Rentals
