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ly on their own resources. Despite their continued
efforts, the café has not turned a profit since the start
of the war, struggling to cover employee salaries and
exhausting all available resources to remain open
during these challenging times.
Volodymyr Zadiraka, the founder of One Love,
highlights the significant challenges faced by their
Gathering supplies business due to the conflict. “Large debts to product
for the people affected suppliers, landlords, and the inability to pay salary to
by the conflict. employees on time, these are the difficulties that we
face even nowadays. Many of our passionate, regular
Photo / One Love & guests moved to safer places, to western Ukraine or
Seven Seas Coffee
abroad. There are many migrants from eastern Ukraine
in Kyiv now, but they have no idea who One Love is
and that has caused a need to revamp our brand and
be more active on social media,” he explains.
In response to these challenges, Zadiraka empha-
sizes the need to revamp their brand and increase their
presence on social media platforms. He envisions re-
storing hope and unity within the Ukrainian commu-
nity, with a focus on prioritizing the safety of the team
and maintaining the business’s operations. Zadiraka
believes that only when people feel confident in their
safety will they start to return, bringing forth a new
era of tourism and providing much-needed respite for
struggling businesses.
Eric Dobbs reflects on the profound impact that
the closure of One Love would have, “It extends beyond
depriving 900 first responders and military personnel
of food and coffee—it also affects families and the
community, robbing them of a haven where they can
Facing Conflict Together truly connect. Despite the relentless war, One Love
continues to keep its doors open, serving as a sacred
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been ongoing place of love, joy, and connection. Community gath-
for a year and a half, leaving the tension in Ukraine at erings, chess tournaments, and music events are host-
a high level. Despite the challenging circumstances, ed by the café to inspire hope and sustain a sense of
Ukrainian citizens continue to face daily difficulties freedom, even in the face of adversity.” The story of
in their quest to protect their freedom and safety. In One Love showcases the resilience of small businesses
the midst of this conflict, small businesses have demon- in Ukraine and their ability to make a positive impact
strated resilience by maintaining their operations as on their community, even in the midst of a conflict
smoothly as possible. that has taken away their freedom.
One Love, a specialty coffee roaster with six coffee Eric Dobbs, the owner of Seven Seas, made a visit As I sit here reflecting on these stories of coffee
shop locations in Kyiv, has been serving the community to Kyiv in the fall of 2022. Bringing medical supplies and community, I am filled with a deep sense of
since the onset of Russia’s invasion. Partnering with and $10,000 raised by his company, Dobbs aimed to gratitude and hope. Gratitude for the experiences
Seven Seas Coffee Roasting, a veteran-owned coffee support Volodymyr Zadiraka, the founder of One Love. and connections that coffee has brought into my life,
roaster from San Diego, One Love has managed to keep His experience in Kyiv inspired him to establish the and hope for the potential it holds to bring people
its doors open. Entrepreneurs in Kyiv were forced to Seven Seas Foundation 501c3, a foundation dedicated from all walks of life together. These tales remind
adopt survival strategies when the Russian invasion be- to supporting the café’s ongoing operations. us that no matter where we come from or what chal-
gan, prioritizing the safety of their staff and the conti- Since the early days of the invasion, One Love lenges we face, there is always room to build strong,
nuity of their businesses. These measures included re- has been providing over 900 meals daily to hospitals, supportive communities through a shared love for
ducing expenses and scaling back product production. military personnel, and first responders, relying sole- this beloved beverage.

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