San Diego welcomes a delightful addition to its culinary landscape with the emergence of a new dessert business Muse Cheesecake, specializing in Basque cheesecakes. In this feature, we delve into the origins of this charming company and its journey from a war-torn country to sweet success in America's Finest City.
Nestled between Ukraine and Moldova lies a town often overlooked on world maps, Tiraspol. It's from this unassuming village that Lada Sadovnyk hails, a woman whose journey has been as extraordinary as it has been challenging. For the past decade, Lada's life has been intertwined with Ukraine, a country she fell in love with and where she carved out a career as a content creator, model, and influencer. But amidst the turmoil of war, Lada found herself uprooted, seeking solace and opportunity across the ocean in the United States.
In Ukraine, Lada's career trajectory was markedly different from the path she would later embark upon. Despite her affinity for cheesecakes, which she lovingly baked for family gatherings, her professional focus lay in the fashion industry. However, the ravages of war forced her hand, compelling her to seek refuge in America alongside her husband and son.
To place an order and savor the magic of Muse Cheesecake, simply reach out to Lada on Instagram and prepare for a taste sensation unlike any other.
In Ukraine, Lada's career trajectory was markedly different from the path she would later embark upon. Despite her affinity for cheesecakes, which she lovingly baked for family gatherings, her professional focus lay in the fashion industry. However, the ravages of war forced her hand, compelling her to seek refuge in America alongside her husband and son.
"The reason for my move to America seems obvious - it's war," explained Lada. "It was a terribly frightening period that is impossible to forget. Daily air raids day and night, constant danger of missile strikes, explosions just a few blocks away, the fear of losing my husband and son. You never know if you'll wake up tomorrow. We tried our best to continue living our lives, but when the aggressor side began actively targeting Ukraine's infrastructure with missiles, we were left without electricity, water, and heating. And, of course, without a business. We lost everything. We urgently needed to figure out what to do next."
Arriving in San Diego, Lada found herself grappling with a sense of loss and identity crisis. She wanted to continue her career as a content creator in America, but she also needed to make money to support the increased costs of living in America’s Finest City. From the depths of her despair emerged a newfound purpose. With resilience as her compass, she turned to her passion for baking, igniting the flame that would lead to the creation of Muse Cheesecake. Armed with just $100 and an unwavering determination, Lada embarked on her entrepreneurial journey.
"I remember buying three molds at Walmart, ingredients for one cheesecake, and launching a $10 ad (which seemed like a lot of money at the time)," detailed Lada. "On January 20th, I received my first order. It was a Oreo basque cheesecake purchased by two incredibly kind young girls, Tiana and Caley. From the very first moment, they enveloped me in warmth, gratitude, and incredible support! They even took beautiful pictures of the cheesecake and shared it with their friends!"
But success did not come without sacrifice. Lada's days blur into nights as she tirelessly bakes, delivers, and manages the burgeoning business. Yet, in the midst of chaos, she finds strength in the unwavering support of her husband, who stands by her side, sharing in the triumphs and trials of their shared enterprise.
"When the moment came that I had so many orders I couldn't handle them all, my husband stepped in to help. Despite building a career in a completely different field, from Thursday to Saturday, he bakes cheesecakes with me from night until morning (I couldn't handle such a volume of orders alone). He also took on the operational part of the business, helping with paperwork, invoices, and purchasing equipment for our new workspace."
For Lada, Muse Cheesecake is more than just a business; it's a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of community. Each decadent creation is a labor of love, meticulously crafted to bring joy to her customers and honor to her craft.
For Lada, Muse Cheesecake is more than just a business; it's a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of community. Each decadent creation is a labor of love, meticulously crafted to bring joy to her customers and honor to her craft.
Muse Cheesecake specializes in Burnt Basque cheesecake, which stands in stark contrast to its American-style or New York counterparts. The cake thrives on high temperatures, daring to cook without the safety net of a water bath. Its ambition lies in achieving a golden-brown exterior, proudly displaying cracks as a badge of honor, rising tall only to gracefully deflate. Unlike its counterparts, it rejects the notion of a crust, opting instead to craft its own where heat and surface area intersect.
As Muse Cheesecake prepares to transition to a commercial kitchen, Lada's dreams expand, envisioning a future where her passion flourishes into a full-fledged bakery. She has already picked out a perfect space and hopes to launch a crown-funding campaign soon to help her realize her dreams. Despite the challenges that lie ahead, Lada remains undeterred, fueled by a vision of spreading sweetness and light in a world that sorely needs it.
From Tiraspol to San Diego, Lada's journey is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and the boundless possibilities that arise when passion meets purpose. As she continues to write the next chapter of her story, one thing remains certain: the sweet taste of success is best savored one cheesecake at a time.
As Muse Cheesecake prepares to transition to a commercial kitchen, Lada's dreams expand, envisioning a future where her passion flourishes into a full-fledged bakery. She has already picked out a perfect space and hopes to launch a crown-funding campaign soon to help her realize her dreams. Despite the challenges that lie ahead, Lada remains undeterred, fueled by a vision of spreading sweetness and light in a world that sorely needs it.
From Tiraspol to San Diego, Lada's journey is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and the boundless possibilities that arise when passion meets purpose. As she continues to write the next chapter of her story, one thing remains certain: the sweet taste of success is best savored one cheesecake at a time.
To place an order and savor the magic of Muse Cheesecake, simply reach out to Lada on Instagram and prepare for a taste sensation unlike any other.
