A pastry or a cake might seem like one of the most ordinary things to order online. But Yuliia Velychko believes that people first place their trust in the person — and only then in the recipe.

That is why a single Instagram post about her move to Switzerland brought her first clients within just a few days and later led to her first wedding order in the new country. She had no local network and no established reputation in the community — only her work, which she was willing to share openly.

In this interview, Yuliia explains why the restrained minimalism favoured in Switzerland has turned out to suit her signature style so well, which details local clients value most, and why she believes women should not wait for the perfect moment before speaking openly about themselves and their work.

Moving to another country is always a challenge. What was your first day in Switzerland like, and what do you remember most clearly?

I remember my first day in Switzerland very well. I was experiencing so many different emotions: excitement, uncertainty and, at the same time, a sense of wonder at the country and its beauty.

I understood that a new chapter in our lives was beginning. There were many questions ahead of us: how we would adapt, how everything would work out and whether I would be able to build my business again.

But it was not the first time I had started from scratch, so I knew that much would depend on the actions I took.

When did you realise that cake making would become your path in Switzerland rather than simply a hobby?

I never really considered it just a hobby. I have been doing this for seven years, so it has long been an important part of my life.

I started my business in Ukraine, then worked as a pastry chef in Germany. After returning to Ukraine, I continued developing my work there, and now I have started again in Switzerland. This is the fourth time I have built everything from the ground up.

Every new beginning confirms that this is where I belong. Wherever I live, I always return to cake making because it is what I love and the profession in which I see my future.

You not only create cakes but also teach others. When did you decide that you wanted to share your experience?

The desire to teach came when I realised how much time I had spent searching for information, studying and learning through my own mistakes. Over seven years, I have gained a great deal of experience that I can now share with others.

I know what it is like to doubt yourself, to be afraid to begin or to believe that you are still not good enough. That is why I want to help other women follow this path more quickly, with greater confidence and fewer difficulties.

I believe every woman should have the opportunity to fulfil her potential. Cake making is a profession that can offer women this opportunity even when they have young children.

You can plan your own day, work from home, stay close to your children, and avoid having to ask someone else for a day off or a holiday. You are not dependent on another person’s schedule. You manage your own time and gradually build a business of your own.

For me, cake making is not only about cakes. It is about fulfilment, freedom, creativity and the opportunity to earn a living from something you love, rather than spending your entire life working for someone else. That is what I want to show the women who come to study with me.

For Yuliia Velychko, pastry is more than a profession — it is a way to create beauty and build new opportunities in a new country.

Source: Courtesy of Yuliia Velychko.

How have your dreams changed since moving to Switzerland? Have they become more ambitious?

Yes, my dreams have definitely become more ambitious. In the past, I focused mainly on orders and on developing my skills and reputation as a pastry chef. Now I see a much bigger picture.

I want to open my own cake studio in Switzerland, build a strong personal brand, specialise in wedding cakes and expand my online training for pastry chefs.

I want not only to create beautiful cakes, but also to help other women realise their potential, start their own businesses and earn money doing something they love.

What was the most difficult part at the beginning: the language, finding clients, believing in yourself or something else?

In fact, clients began contacting me almost immediately. I was very active on Instagram: I shared my work, talked about myself and was not afraid to make myself visible.

After moving, I published a post saying that I was now living in Switzerland. The post went viral and reached a large number of people. That was how my first clients and orders began to arrive.

Finding clients was therefore not the greatest difficulty for me. The hardest part was adapting to a new country, a different language, unfamiliar rules and countless practical aspects of everyday life.

But the experience reminded me once again how important it is to maintain an online presence, show your work and not be afraid to talk about what you do. People do not simply order a cake. They first get to know the person behind it and begin to trust them.

You create sweet memories for people during some of the most important moments of their lives. Which order holds the most special place in your heart?

The first wedding cake I made in Switzerland definitely holds a special place in my heart. It was a two-tier cake weighing approximately four and a half kilograms.

For someone else, it may have been simply another order. For me, however, it meant something much more. It was proof that I had once again managed to restart my business in a new country, find clients and earn their trust for such an important occasion.

I had already made wedding cakes in Germany, but my first wedding cake in Switzerland marked the beginning of a new chapter for me.

In your experience, how do Ukrainian and Swiss clients differ?

I cannot draw any broad conclusions yet, as I am only at the beginning of my journey in Switzerland. However, I have already noticed that people here place great value on quality, punctuality, precision and clear agreements.

I am naturally drawn to a modern, minimalist style, so I believe my work is well suited to the preferences of Swiss clients.

Ukrainian clients are often more open to vibrant decoration, experimentation and emotionally expressive ideas. Ultimately, however, every client wants a cake that is not only beautiful, but also delicious and made to a high standard.

Was there ever a moment when you wanted to give everything up? What helped you keep going?

Of course. Everyone experiences moments of doubt, especially when they have had to start over many times, invest their energy, time and money in learning, and do not immediately see significant results.

But I always remind myself of how far I have already come. If I managed to start once, then a second and a third time, I know I can do it a fourth time as well.

My family also supports me. I want to set an example for my children and show them that they should not be afraid to change their lives or pursue their goals.

How does a new cake begin? Is it mainly about inspiration, experience or long hours of work?

It is a combination of all these things. It may begin with an idea or an image in my mind. I can find inspiration in nature, colours, interior design, travelling or even ordinary objects around me.

But inspiration alone is not enough. Behind every beautiful cake are technical knowledge, reliable recipes, experience and many hours of practice.

I want a cake to be more than simply beautiful. Everything should work together: contemporary decoration, carefully considered flavours, high-quality ingredients and precision in every detail.

What is the biggest mistake you have made as an entrepreneur in Switzerland, and what did it teach you?

I cannot say that I have already made one major mistake specifically in Switzerland, because I am only beginning my entrepreneurial journey here.

In fact, I arrived with experience and a clear understanding of how important it is to maintain an Instagram presence and share both my work and my journey. That is exactly why clients began approaching me almost immediately.

Over the years, however, I have learnt that simply making good cakes is not enough. You also need to calculate your true production costs properly, value your work, know how to sell and continue telling people about what you do.

The main lesson for me is not to underestimate my experience and not to be afraid of putting myself out there.

Every cake created by Yuliia Velychko combines contemporary design, meticulous craftsmanship and a bespoke approach to every commission.

Source: Courtesy of Yuliia Velychko.

You regularly attend Ukrainian community events. How important is it for you to remain part of the Ukrainian community?

It is very important to me. After moving to another country, you feel an especially strong need to be among people who understand your language, culture and experiences.

Ukrainian events are not only about socialising. They bring new connections, support, opportunities for collaboration and the chance to be useful to others.

I enjoy meeting people, talking to them, presenting my work and supporting other Ukrainian women who are also beginning new lives abroad.

Do you feel supported by Ukrainians in Switzerland? Are there any particular examples of mutual support that have stayed with you?

Yes, I do feel that support. Ukrainians were among my first clients in Switzerland. People saw my post about moving here, began messaging me, ordering cakes and recommending me to their friends.

That means a great deal to me. In a new country, every recommendation, message and order makes you feel that you are not alone and that there is a place for your work here.

I also try to support other Ukrainians by talking about their projects, attending events and sharing useful information.

How would you describe the modern Ukrainian woman entrepreneur living abroad?

To me, she is strong, hardworking and courageous. She may move to another country without knowing the language or having any local contacts, yet gradually adapt and build a new life.

At the same time, I do not want to speak only about strength. A woman has the right to feel tired, to experience doubt and to ask for help. What matters is not losing herself or forgetting her own aspirations.

A modern Ukrainian woman entrepreneur is not afraid to learn, make herself visible, try new things and create her own opportunities.

What advice would you give to Ukrainian women who dream of starting their own business but are afraid to take the first step?

Do not wait for the perfect moment, because it may never come. You do not need to have a large kitchen, expensive equipment, a perfect Instagram account or many clients from the very beginning.

Start with what you have now. Make your first cake, share it on Instagram Stories and tell people what you do.

Most importantly, do not be afraid to make yourself visible. My own experience has shown that Instagram and the post about my move helped me find my first clients in a new country.

Confidence does not always come before the first step. Very often, it develops only once you begin taking action.

Looking back, what would you say to yourself on the day you arrived in Switzerland?

I would tell myself: “Yuliia, do not worry. You have started over many times before, and each time you managed to succeed. Keep sharing your journey, keep showing your work, keep doing what you love, and people will find you.”

I would probably also tell myself not to expect everything from myself at once. Adaptation takes time. It is important not to compare the beginning of your journey with someone else’s major achievements, but simply to take at least one step every day.

Where do you see your business in five years?

In five years, I see myself as the owner of a modern cake studio in Switzerland. I want to create stylish cakes, particularly wedding cakes, and work with clients who appreciate quality, flavour and my creative vision.

I also want to develop and expand my online course, Pastry Chef from Scratch. I want it to help women do more than simply learn how to bake cakes. I want them to learn how to build their own businesses, develop an online presence, find clients and earn an income.

It is important to me to combine these two areas: continuing to grow as a pastry chef in Switzerland while passing my knowledge and experience on to others.

Finally, what does the word “home” mean to you today?

I used to think that home was a particular place. But after moving several times, I realised that home is first and foremost about people.

For me, home is wherever my family and my children are, where we are together and support one another. It is a place where I can be myself, do the work I love and build our future.

Ukraine will always remain my home in my heart. At the same time, we are now gradually creating a new home for ourselves in Switzerland.

More and more Ukrainians in Switzerland are building new lives based on their professional skills and previous experience. Every story of relocation unfolds differently, and sometimes the most valuable thing a person brings with them is not something packed in a suitcase, but a profession they can carry wherever they go.

We will continue introducing our readers to stories like these — diverse, personal and deeply human.

More information and Yulia Veluchko’s latest work can be found on her Instagram page.