Lada Sadovnyk shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Lada, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
The most surprising thing I’ve learned about our customers is how people in the U.S. naturally build communities around a brand they love. They keep supporting you, coming back, and actively telling others about you. I think this is a uniquely American phenomenon, and it’s an amazing feeling to have that kind of backing behind you.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Lada, and two years ago my family and I relocated from Ukraine due to the war.
I started our small business as a home-based pop-up, and we quickly began to gain momentum. Just a year and a half later, we now operate a commercial kitchen, produce an average of 800 cheesecakes per month, and have two new locations currently under construction.
Our story was featured as a Facebook Success Story, and San Diego Magazine included us in both their Must-Try list for August 2024 and their Best of 2024 awards.
We are a mono-product bakery — our one and only signature product is the Spanish Basque cheesecake. Why only this? Because we truly believe that consistent, exceptional quality is only achievable when you focus on doing one thing, and doing it professionally. We are thrilled that our customers value us for exactly that, and know exactly where to go when they want this particular style of cheesecake.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The war in our own home — without a doubt.
It gave me a much sharper understanding that the world isn’t always kind, and that things can end through no fault of your own. In a single moment, you can lose your job, your business, your family, and everything you’ve built. It’s a devastating reality that has changed millions of lives for the worse and shaped new behaviors in everyone who has been touched by it.
At the same time, our move to the United States helped us cope with this trauma. We deeply value the honesty and support we’ve found here. That kind of human decency means so much — I believe it’s what truly restored my faith in people.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I think every business owner has moments when giving up feels like an option — sometimes weekly. Over time, you learn to step over that feeling and keep moving forward.
In our case, there were many such moments. As refugee business owners, we’ve faced rejection after rejection — with financing, paperwork, visa processes, and even securing the right locations. The list could go on, but the truth is: this period passes.
We are now approaching two full years in business, and things have improved dramatically. The most important lesson? Never lose heart. Keep moving toward your goal with confidence. For those who are determined, the U.S. truly offers everything needed to succeed.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes — absolutely.
We truly believe that in today’s world, people connect more with authenticity and with the real person behind the brand. We’ve never tried to create a polished mask or an “ideal” version of ourselves for the public. What you see is what you get — our real story, our real challenges, and our real passion.
From the very beginning, we’ve shared both the joyful and the difficult moments of running our business with our audience — now over 117,000 people from all over the world — and we have never regretted it. Even a simple question from a customer about how things are going means more to us than many material things. It’s a heartfelt recognition of our work.
We appreciate the growing trend of brands revealing more of the people and stories behind them. It creates space for genuine connections with customers and builds relationships that go far beyond simple transactions.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
For sure. That’s the only real way to succeed — to give your best regardless of recognition, because true achievement comes from commitment, not applause. And if you consistently do things well, the praise, kind words, and great reviews will come in time. In the food & beverage industry, that means a lot.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.musecheesecakes.us
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muse.cheesecake?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
