Meet Andrey Deyneka

We recently connected with Andrey Deyneka and have shared our conversation below.

Andrey , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

[Andrey Deyneka’s perspective:]

Resilience? That’s a good question. I think… I was born into it. Growing up in Tolyatti, during the collapse of the Soviet Union, life was not soft. My parents worked in the car factories—hard labor, long hours, low pay. But they survived. Everyone around us did what they had to do. There was no other option.

I remember watching my parents get up every day and go to work without complaint, even when there was barely anything in the fridge. They taught me that no one is coming to save you—you show up, you keep moving, and you make something out of what you have.

When I came to America, I didn’t speak the language. I had no money, no connections—just a dream and a dictionary. My first job was selling ice cream on the boardwalk in Ocean City. I taped American bills to the side of the cart with Russian translations just to understand the money. That’s resilience—not because I wanted to be tough, but because I had no choice.

Then came the real challenge—immigration. Eleven years, three lawyers, and a lot of heartbreak. I was lied to, stolen from, told “no” more times than I can count. But I didn’t stop. I kept showing up, like my parents did.

So where do I get it from? My roots. My people. The belief that if you keep showing up, something good will come. And now, here I am—a citizen, a father, a husband, a business owner. Still showing up.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Professionally, I wear a few hats. I’m the General Manager at Sweetspot Garden in Coney Island, which is this beautiful little lounge we’ve built into a cozy, elevated space. It’s more than a job to me—it’s a place where people feel taken care of, where details matter. I treat every plate, every cocktail, every guest like they’re part of something special, because they are. That hospitality mindset is what I bring into Homestead’s Hot Sauce too.

At Homestead’s, I’m one half of the creative team, along with my partner—who is also my partner in life. She’s the founder, the vision, the fire. I bring the structure, the aesthetic, and a lot of heart. I help with operations, sourcing, vendor relationships, product presentation, and anything that involves elevating the brand. We work well together because we believe in the mission—real food, real ingredients, made with love and intention.

As for the future? I dream big. I would love to see Homestead’s evolve into something more than just a sauce on the shelf. A farm-to-table restaurant? Absolutely. Picture this: a place where we grow our own peppers, herbs, vegetables—everything fresh, everything clean. A kitchen where the sauce is on the table and in the food. A space that feels like home, rooted in the values we built this brand on—honesty, simplicity, and joy.

I want people to walk into that space and feel the story—immigrant hustle, love for the land, passion for food. That’s the dream. And every day, we’re getting closer.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

When I look back, there are definitely three things that kept me moving forward, even when the path made no sense.

1. Adaptability.
When I came to America, I didn’t know the language, the customs, or even how to count change in dollars. But I adapted. I listened. I watched. I made mistakes, sure—but I stayed flexible. The world won’t wait for you to catch up, so you have to learn to pivot fast.
Advice: Don’t be afraid to be a beginner. Say yes to things you don’t feel ready for. That’s how you grow.

2. Resourcefulness.
I didn’t have much—no connections, no family here, no fancy degrees. But I knew how to figure things out. When a lawyer failed me, I found another. When I didn’t know English, I made flashcards, watched cartoons, and practiced every chance I got. When we started Homestead’s Hot Sauce, we didn’t have investors—we had grit.
Advice: If you don’t have the tools, build your own. Google is free. Your network is only one kind conversation away. Be scrappy. Ask questions. Never be too proud to learn.

3. Faith—in yourself and in the vision.
This one is hard to teach. But you have to believe it’s possible, even when there’s no proof. For years, I had no guarantee I’d ever become a citizen. But I kept showing up, paperwork in hand, because I saw the life I wanted.
Advice: Protect your vision. Write it down. Talk about it out loud. Surround yourself with people who remind you why you started. And when it gets hard—and it will get hard—remember that persistence beats talent when talent gives up.

To anyone starting out: You don’t have to know everything. You just have to keep going. Learn as you go. And don’t wait to be “ready.” Just start.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

We’re building something real at Homestead’s Hot Sauce, and that means we’re always keeping the door open for people who believe in the mission as much as we do.

We’re not just selling sauce—we’re telling a story. It’s about heritage, hard work, fresh ingredients, and flavor that means something. So when it comes to partners, employees, or collaborators, we’re not just looking for skills—we’re looking for heart.

Brand partnerships? Definitely on the horizon. We’ve already started some exciting collaborations with like-minded food businesses—people who care about farm-to-table practices, sustainability, and real connection to the consumer. I could absolutely see future collabs with farm markets, boutique restaurants, health-conscious grocery stores, and even chefs who want to co-create a signature flavor with us.

Sales Associates or Reps? Yes. We’re building that team. But we don’t want just any rep—we want people who live this. Who light up when they talk about clean food. Who get excited walking into a local market and introducing a product they genuinely believe in. We’ll train you on the brand—what we can’t teach is passion. That has to come from within.

If someone wants to work with us? Come ready to build. Come with ideas. Come with initiative. This isn’t a corporate machine—it’s a growing, living thing. And there’s room to grow with us if you’re ready to show up, work hard, and have a little fun along the way.

At the end of the day, Homestead’s Hot Sauce isn’t just a job. It’s a mission. If that resonates with you—we’d love to talk.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @andrey_deyneka13 @homesteadshotsauce
• Other: TikTok @Homesteads