Meet Viktoriia Gorbachevska

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Viktoriia Gorbachevska a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Viktoriia, 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?

My resilience comes from responsibility — to myself, my children, and my family. The war forced us to leave everything behind and start over in the U.S., without knowing a single person. I didn’t have the option to give up. I had to keep going — for my kids, so they could live a better life, and for myself, to prove that we could rebuild from nothing.

Resilience, to me, isn’t about motivation or mindset. It’s about discipline. It’s showing up every single day — even when it’s hard, even when it’s lonely — and doing the next right thing. You keep moving forward. You don’t wait for perfect. You don’t stop to question whether you’re getting it all right. You just keep going.

That’s how you survive. That’s how you lead. And ultimately — that’s how you succeed.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m Viktoriia Gorbachevska — a mother of two, an immigrant, and the founder of Arti Bar, a wholesome snack company born from a place of deep care, necessity, and love.

My journey began when the war in Ukraine forced me to leave behind everything familiar. I arrived in the U.S. with my two boys, stepping into a world where everything was new — the language, the culture, even the food. I began searching for snacks I could feel good about giving to them and to myself — something clean, simple, and genuinely nourishing. But I couldn’t find anything I fully trusted. So, I started making my own.

That’s how Arti Bar began: at our kitchen table, with simple ingredients and a clear purpose. No additives, no fillers, no artificial flavors — just whole nuts, seeds, fruit, and real care in every bar.
I believe real food doesn’t need any flavoring — it’s complete as it is. When ingredients are truly whole and fresh, they don’t need to be covered up. They shine on their own. And our customers feel that. They taste the difference.

This summer, we’re launching our ninth flavor, along with an exciting new functional line made from whole foods — created to support energy, balance, and real-life nourishment. Just like everything we make, it’s crafted by hand, in small batches, with integrity.

Arti Bar isn’t just a snack. It’s a reminder that food can be real again. That simplicity can be powerful. And that even from a place of disruption and loss, something deeply beautiful — and deeply human — can be created.

I’m proud of where it started. And even more excited for where we’re going.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey were clarity, discipline, and trust in my own voice.

Clarity came from knowing why I was doing what I was doing. When you’re building something from nothing — especially in a new country, with children depending on you — you don’t have time to chase trends or second-guess yourself. You need to be clear about your values and your purpose. That clarity became my compass when everything else felt uncertain.

Discipline is what turned that clarity into action. I don’t believe in waiting for motivation. You can’t rely on inspiration when you’re exhausted or overwhelmed. You show up anyway. You do the next right thing. Discipline is what moves dreams forward, especially when no one is watching yet.

And finally, trusting my own voice — as a mother, as a woman, and as someone who was starting fresh in a new place — was a lesson I had to learn by doing. There were moments when I doubted whether anyone would care about what I was creating. But I’ve learned that the most powerful thing you can do is stay honest. When your work comes from a real place, people recognize it. They feel it.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is:
Don’t wait until it’s perfect. Don’t wait for permission. Be clear on why you’re doing it, stay consistent, and don’t silence yourself to fit into someone else’s idea of success. Your story — just as it is — might be the exact thing someone else needs to hear.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, I’m always open to meaningful collaborations — especially with people who share similar values.

At Arti Bar, we love working with local shops, coffee spots, wellness studios, creators, and anyone who’s building something thoughtful in their community. If you care about real food, honest connection, and creating things that actually help people — we’re probably already aligned.
We believe collaboration should feel natural, genuine, and mutually supportive. If you’re reading this and feel inspired, reach out. Let’s explore what we can build together. You can email me at viktoriia@artibars.com, send a message through www.artibar.com, or find me on Instagram @artibar_

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artibars.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artibar_/