{"id":597,"date":"2025-07-20T06:35:25","date_gmt":"2025-07-20T06:35:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yicatalogue.collectiveroutes.org\/?p=597"},"modified":"2025-07-21T08:02:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T08:02:06","slug":"sweet-biscuit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yicatalogue.collectiveroutes.org\/?p=597","title":{"rendered":"Sweet Biscuit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Problem and Motivation Behind<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI had always dreamed of baking not just for my family, but for others \u2026 I wanted to give people joy and high-quality products\u2014cakes, sweets, carved fruits, decorated tables.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Olga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olga Rogovska (35-year-old) is a trained social worker and university lecturer who was forced to flee her home because of the war, leaving behind her career and sense of stability. In Georgia, she faced the challenges of displacement and uncertainty. To cope and rebuild, Olga turned to a long-held dream\u2014opening a bakery. She began baking from home under the name Sweet Biscuit<\/em>, combining her love for baking with a deeper mission: to reconnect with her community and regain a sense of purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Innovative Solution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I didn\u2019t just want to sell food. I wanted to give people the feeling of home. \u2026 I started getting messages from people saying my cake reminded them of their mother\u2019s kitchen, or a birthday back home \u2026 That gave me shivers. I never imagined that something as simple as a cookie could mean so much.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Olga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Olga joined the Youth Innovation Lab, Olga chose to act upon her dream, opening her bakery. She designed her business around what her community missed most\u2014 traditional Ukrainian pastries that had familiar tastes and emotional connection for her displaced community of Ukrainians. Her bakeries quickly grew a loyal client base, including both Ukrainians and local Georgians. It also became a point of connection\u2014people gathered not just to place orders, but to talk, share traditions, and organise cultural events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Olga and her family, Sweet Biscuit<\/em> has been a source of healing. \u201cIt helped us come together. We stopped focusing on what we had lost and started building something new,\u201d<\/em> she said.  Today, Sweet Biscuit<\/em> is more than a bakery. It is a hub of emotional support and cultural exchange, bringing people together. Ukrainian families gather at her events, exchange tips, and celebrate national holidays with Olga\u2019s bakeries on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lessons Learned and Addressing Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBefore joining the Lab, I had never heard of business models or Canvas \u2026. The most important thing wasn\u2019t the grant\u2014it was the knowledge, support, and constant encouragement from my mentors. Without them, I wouldn\u2019t have been able to launch it at this level.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Olga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Youth Innovation Lab provided Olga with a seed grant, training, and ongoing mentorship. Through this support, she learned how to develop business strategies, manage her finances, and promote her brand effectively. The mentorship played a particularly meaningful role in her journey. \u201cThe mentor was more than a coach\u2014she was like a psychologist. She helped me open up and start thinking about the future again,\u201d<\/em> Olga said, reflecting on the support she received from one of mentors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on her experience, Olga identified two major lessons learned:<\/p>\n\n\n\n