Maks Isakov arrived in the U.S. last August with his family as Ukrainian refugees under the United for Ukraine program. He plans to establish elements of the branded coffee business he lost in Ukraine and to ensure that some of the profits from that business are returned to Ukraine to provide food and necessities for those in greatest need.

Maks Isakov was pursuing his passion for the coffee business in Vinnytsya, Ukraine, when the Russian invasion put an end to it. With no income, and fearing for his family’s safety, he left his businesses behind and fled the country with his wife and kids, returning to a familiar small town in the United States that he’d once visited as a young man, with hopes of rebuilding his dream.

After collaborating with a nearby coffee roaster, Isakov has created Kavka Coffee, headquartered in Camden, Maine. Kavka is the diminutive form of the word coffee in Ukraine. It’s what Isakov’s great-grandmother used to call it when offering an ordinary cup of coffee to her loved ones, and that he describes as “the best cup of coffee I ever had, because she always put a piece of her soul and love into every cup.” Isakov’s passion for coffee is an outgrowth of this particular feeling, and he intends to bring that same heart and soul to Kavka.

Having run several successful coffee shops in Ukraine, Isakov is well-versed in the business, and feels that his exclusive coffee blends will be a perfect match for Americans who appreciate hard work, quality goods, and authentic character. For those who may not be able to tell one cup of coffee from another, he explains, “Kavka will use the finest coffee beans and roast them with care and love. That’s what makes our coffee more than just a coffee. It’s nourishment for your body and soul, and will make your day special from the first sip.” His initial collaboration has yielded a unique blend with “complex depth and superior drinkability,” that Isakov says matches up well with the coffee he served in his home country.