Experience Muse

Owners Luis (right) and Lavan Odisho.

The new business offers signature drink creations such as Banana Caramel Iced Coffee and Matcha and Coconut Clouds.

Two brothers, one dream

By Jenna Abroo

It is no secret that the Chaldean community has long been home to small business owners, first-time entrepreneurs, and family-run ventures. Time and again, our community has demonstrated a deep commitment to hard work and a strong work ethic—taking risks in the diaspora, building businesses from the ground up, and making countless sacrifices to provide better opportunities for their families.

According to a 2024 Walsh College survey commissioned by the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce, the Chaldean community in Metro Detroit contributes $18 million annually to Michigan’s state economy, largely driven by high rates of small business ownership. With nearly 60% of households owning at least one business, the community significantly contributes to the state’s retail, food, and service industries.

Among those contributing to that impact are brothers Luis and Lavan Odisho, small business owners and members of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, who opened the café EXPERIENCE MUSE in May 2025 at 15 Mile and Ryan in Sterling Heights. I sat down with the brothers to hear their story.

Luis, 28, and Lavan, 22, began by reflecting on their journey to Michigan. Eleven years ago, they emigrated from Iraq to the United States with their family in search of greater opportunity and a better life.

Now adults, Luis and Lavan have partnered with their father to turn their passion into a family business. Lavan shared that their family has always had an interest in coffee, matcha, and entrepreneurship, making the café industry feel like a natural fit.

While the family has owned and operated other businesses over the past four years, their greatest success has come with EXPERIENCE MUSE. The brothers oversee the café’s day-to-day operations, including working closely with their marketing team to create fresh, dynamic menus, while their father manages the financial side of the business.

Lavan and Luis share a nearly equal role in the creative direction of the business, working closely with their team on everything from menu development and marketing to advertising and specialty coffee and matcha creations.

Since their grand opening in spring 2025, EXPERIENCE MUSE has gained major attention on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, thanks to eye-catching content showcasing the café’s signature drinks. Among their most popular creations is the “Cloud Matcha” —a unique drink featuring smooth matcha cold foam layered over refreshing coconut water, and one of my personal favorites.

When asked what they enjoy most about running a family-owned business, the brothers’ answers quickly began to mirror one another. Luis shared that his favorite part is “the trust of working with my brother every single day. We get to share ideas with each other and also share the same values and goals.”

Lavan added that, despite having opposite personalities, the brothers have strong working chemistry and “complete each other.” Together, they emphasized how working side by side each day has strengthened their bond as brothers, with their parents serving as their biggest supporters throughout the journey.

From the moment the business opened last spring, success came quickly. In just three months during the summer, the brothers surpassed all their financial goals and expectations, doubling their original projections.

Spending nearly every day together—from open to close, seven days a week—proved worthwhile. Lavan reflected that “the long days were absolutely worth the commitment,” while Luis added that “our hard work and sacrifice always pays off in the end; it is the best feeling of reward.”

As a regular customer myself, I was curious to learn what inspired the brothers to create a business like EXPERIENCE MUSE. Walking into the beautifully designed café, customers are consistently welcomed by a friendly and positive staff that goes above and beyond to create a memorable experience.

Lavan explained that both as individuals and as business owners, they approach everything with intention. Their commitment to using high-quality ingredients in their matcha, coffee, and food is reflected in every aspect of the business. Even the café’s name was chosen carefully, with the goal of giving customers the “best coffee experience” possible.

“By putting passion behind our menus and our space, we hoped to create a place where everyone feels welcome,” Lavan said. “That was our mission from the beginning — to create a collaborative space for people of all ages, backgrounds, and lifestyles. We want to connect with people from all walks of life in our community and make them feel comfortable while enjoying our drinks. Our business is meant for everyone.”

This level of thoughtfulness and attention to detail is what truly sets EXPERIENCE MUSE apart. Open 364 days a year, the brothers prioritize both the highest-quality ingredients and exceptional customer service—a commitment that has quickly built a loyal customer base. Many regulars visit multiple times a week, and some even stop by twice in a single day.

Since opening, the café has expanded its focus beyond coffee and matcha by creating curated experiences for customers, including private events that complement their seasonal menu offerings. Now, EXPERIENCE MUSE is celebrating its one-year anniversary, marking a major milestone for the growing family business.

Both brothers credit their strong work ethic to their Chaldean upbringing and cultural values. “As Iraqi people, we are known for our hospitality,” they shared. “We always go the extra step for our customers, and even for our staff, through generosity and attention to detail.”

One example of that philosophy is their commitment to personally serving drinks directly to customers at their tables rather than calling them to the counter, a small gesture that reflects the welcoming atmosphere they strive to create at EXPERIENCE MUSE.

During the interview, regular customer Raneen Allos, 27, stopped by to share that EXPERIENCE MUSE is her “favorite local coffee shop.” She said the café’s “creative and curated menus, friendly staff, and welcoming environment” are what keep her coming back regularly to enjoy its drinks, food, and sweet treats.

While the brothers are proud of their success, they also acknowledge the unique challenges that come with running a small, family-owned business. Their biggest piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to “have patience, start young, and give yourself time to make mistakes, while also recovering from them,” Luis said.

Lavan added that while their past experiences helped shape their growth, it is important to keep moving forward: “You should never look back. Once you put your trust in your family, and in our faith, God will carry you on your mission.”

The partnership, trust, and dedication between brothers Luis and Lavan Odisho is a true testament to their work ethic and passion as small business owners. As the saying goes, “blood is thicker than water,” and that sentiment rings especially true for owners who are so deeply committed not only to their family bond, but also to delivering the highest quality products, care, and customer experience.

The shop can be found on Instagram at EXPERIENCE_MUSE and on TikTok at EXPERIENCE.MUSE. The storefront is located at 2133 15 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48310, and is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.