Today we’d like to introduce you to Homa Snorek.
Hi Homa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Shields Lake Cheesecake was born from a love of baking and a desire to bring something truly special to the dessert table.
It all started in Faribault, Minnesota, where Homa—our founder, a full-time eCommerce Specialist by day and passionate baker by night—began crafting cheesecakes from scratch in her home kitchen. What started as a hobby quickly turned into something more when family and friends couldn’t get enough.
One of the first to believe in our cheesecake was Smoke in Lonsdale, MN and its owner Andrew Rasmussen. Andrew gave us our very first chance to serve the public, offering our signature cheesecakes on their menu. His support helped introduce Shields Lake Cheesecake to a wider audience and played a key role in turning our passion into a business. It is a great honor to be partnered with such a supportive restaurant owner. We highly recommend heading over to Smoke to try their amazing food!
With her husband and son now part of the team, Shields Lake Cheesecake has become a true family business. Together, we continue to make every cheesecake from scratch, using quality ingredients and a whole lot of heart.
From our family kitchen to restaurant tables and special events, we’re proud to bring handcrafted cheesecake to Minnesota.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not exactly—but every bump along the way has shaped who we are.
Starting Shields Lake Cheesecake wasn’t without its challenges. Balancing Russ and Homa both having a full-time career while building a food business from the ground up was no easy feat. There were late nights, recipe fails and learning curves. Getting into our first restaurant, Smoke, was a milestone.
Then came the logistics—retail licensing, food safety manager certificates, website design, finding a commercial kitchen to cook out of, MN dept of Ag approvals, and building a brand from scratch. It was overwhelming at times. But through it all our passion never wavered. The support of our family, friends and the community surrounding us reminded us why we started in the first place.
Every struggle taught us something. Every step forward—no matter how small—fueled the dream.
Today, we’re proud of how far we’ve come, and even more excited for what’s ahead. Shields Lake Cheesecake is still growing, still learning, and still baking with heart.
We’ve been impressed with Shields Lake Cheesecake LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Shields Lake Cheesecake, we specialize in handcrafted, made-from-scratch cheesecakes that are as memorable as the moments they’re served at. We’re a family-owned business/husband and wife team, known for our rich, creamy texture, bold flavors, and beautiful presentation.
We offer a wide variety of cheesecake flavors and sizes—perfect for weddings, events, restaurant menus, and special celebrations. Each cheesecake is baked with care using quality ingredients and time-honored techniques.
What sets us apart? Our cheesecakes aren’t mass-produced—they’re made with intention. Every order is fresh, customizable, and created in small batches. We’re proud of our partnership with local restaurants like Smoke, and of the reputation we’ve earned for both flavor and reliability.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud of staying true to our roots: family, flavor, and quality. Shields Lake Cheesecake isn’t just dessert—it’s a personal touch at your event, a standout on your menu, or a gift that leaves a lasting impression.
If you’re looking for cheesecakes that taste homemade but look and feel high-end, we’d love to be part of your next celebration.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What We Love About Faribault & Lonsdale
Faribault and Lonsdale are both filled with hardworking, supportive people who truly value small businesses. In Faribault, we love the historic charm, tight-knit community, and the pride residents take in supporting local. It’s where our story began, and it continues to be the heart of our operations.
Lonsdale, just down the road, has also embraced us with open arms. The community there is growing, vibrant, and full of families and local businesses who believe in shopping small and celebrating local talent. We’re grateful for every order, every event, and every kind word shared in both cities.
What We Like Least
If there’s one challenge we’ve faced, it’s the limited access to commercial kitchen space and startup-friendly infrastructure in both Faribault and Lonsdale. For food-based businesses like ours, it can be difficult to find affordable space and navigate permitting as we grow. Still, these challenges have made us more resourceful and determined. We are currently in process of building our own commercial kitchen, with a store front opening in the future in downtown Faribault!
We’re proud to be part of two communities that cheer on small businesses—and we look forward to continuing to sweeten tables across Minnesota.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shieldslakecheesecake.com
- Instagram: @shieldslakecheesecake
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shieldslakecheesecake
