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How Val's Cheesecakes Reached $971K and Took a $50K Equipment Deal

Val Jean-Bart explains his cheesecake margins, classes and consulting revenue, and accepts a $50K equipment loan from Nathan Latka.

Val Jean-Bart · Val's Cheesecakes

Published May 6, 2026
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What you’ll learn

Val Jean-Bart, founder of Val's Cheesecakes in Dallas, explains how he went from a $6 first sale at a farmers market in 2013 to a peak of $971K in 2019, before COVID closed three of his five shops. Nathan Latka offers a $50,000 equipment-backed loan at 1.3x over two years to fund a combi oven and refrigeration, and Val accepts.

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Key moments

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First farmers market sale

“I didn't know what I was doing, so I went to the Dallas Farmer Market, applied for one day at $50, and I sold one cheesecake jar.”
Watch at 02:19

First year beat the target

“I told myself, if I can make $40,000 for the year, I think I'm good. And I made $96,000.”
Watch at 03:48

COVID cut five shops to one

“So, we're left with just one location. So we had about five. COVID killed three.”
Watch at 04:33

Instagram drives limited drops

“Based on the sale for this Elvis cheesecake, Most of them are seeing, the post online, and they're calling here, and they're reserving.”
Watch at 10:04

Equipment-backed $50K offer

“I'd be willing to write a $50,000 check where the use of funds would be for the oven that you want, the refrigeration that you need, and the power upgrade that you really want”
Watch at 14:05

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About the speaker

Val Jean-Bart

Founder · Val's Cheesecakes

Company revenue
$971K

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