What began as an experiment in the kitchen has grown into Cheersecakes, a Curaçao-based cheesecake brand founded by Gayle and shaped by patience and precision.
Five years ago, this business didn’t exist. There was no plan, no logo, no storefront. Just a craving, a kitchen, and a moment in time that forced everything to slow down.
In 2020, Gayle was living in Costa Rica, studying, with a clear idea of how her life would unfold. Then COVID hit. Travel stopped. Plans paused. What was meant to be a temporary return to Curaçao stretched on longer than expected, leaving her questioning what made sense to do next.
Just before lockdown, she had gone on a girls’ trip and tried the Cheesecake Factory for the first time. Back home, she couldn’t find anything like it. So she decided to make one herself.
She bought ingredients, researched recipes, combined methods, and baked a strawberry cheesecake for her friends. They loved it. Asked for more. Bought ingredients so she could make another.
That’s when it clicked.
The Beginning
At first, Gayle didn’t plan on starting a business. She expected COVID to pass quickly. But as time went on, she made a simple flyer, shared it on her personal Instagram, and orders started coming in.
One flavor. One kitchen. No brand yet.
Within weeks, she was baking nonstop. Orders came in daily, but there was no name, no logo, no online presence. That’s when she realized she needed something to identify what she was building.
She created an Instagram page and chose a name that said exactly what she stood for. Cheesecakes. Carefully crafted. Perfected.
That’s how Cheersecakes was born.
Over time, her cheesecakes became known not just for their taste, but for their look. Clean, elegant, visually striking. Decoration became part of the signature. Each flavor went through trial and error, and nothing was added to the menu without her full approval.
Her personal favorite? Plain cheesecake. With crème brûlée close behind.
Growing Pains
As Cheersecakes grew, the reality of running a business set in.
Gayle did everything herself at first. She was hesitant to outsource, wanting full control over quality. Eventually, growth made that impossible. Today, she still bakes every cheesecake herself, but she’s supported by a small team that helps with preparation.
One area that quickly became a challenge was payments.
She offered cash, swipe, and bank transfers. That meant mistakes, follow-ups, and asking customers to send payment confirmations. It worked, but it wasn’t client-friendly. And it wasn’t sustainable.
Then she came across Sentoo.
After receiving an invoice with a Sentoo QR code and seeing how simple it was, she made a bold decision. She stopped accepting cash and fully integrated Sentoo as her payment method.
The Shift
With Sentoo, everything changed.
Payments became instant and confirmed automatically. No more checking bank accounts. No more chasing screenshots. No more guessing whether someone had paid.
When she later launched her website, Sentoo was integrated directly into the checkout flow. Payments became part of the experience, not a separate step.
"The confirmation comes in right away,” Gayle shares. “I don’t have to ask. I don’t have to check. I can just move forward."
While some older customers or RBC clients occasionally need guidance, they always find their way. And the simplicity has paid off in time saved and peace of mind.
What Changed
Clear administration
One payment flow. One confirmation. No confusion.
Better customer experience
No awkward follow-ups. No proof-of-payment messages.
More room to grow
With payments handled, Gayle can focus on creativity and planning what’s next.
Confidence in the process
Every order is confirmed before work begins.
Looking Ahead
For years, Gayle has been quietly building, learning, and refining her craft. Not rushing the process, but allowing Cheersecakes to grow in a way that felt right.
Now, the brand is entering a new phase. Something is taking shape behind the scenes. A next chapter that builds on everything that came before, while staying true to the care and quality Cheersecakes is known for.
Five years in, Gayle’s biggest achievement isn’t just the business itself, but the patience she developed along the way. She started from scratch, learned through trial and error, and let the journey unfold naturally.
From a single strawberry cheesecake during lockdown to what’s coming next, Cheersecakes is proof that the best things take time.
Crafted by hand. Built with patience.
Something sweet is coming soon.
