Yaya placed her first post on Instagram just 7 weeks ago, and yesterday, she hit 10,000 followers; her wholesome reaction to her business taking off is everything you need to see today!
Parkhurst, South Africa (10 June 2025) – What started as a simple Instagram account to help Yaya earn some additional income selling rusks has turned into Yaya becoming a rusk influencer. Support poured in for the baking nanny and today, she has hit over 10,000 followers!
Behind every small business is a human being just trying to make ends meet and support their family. We often forget this, but social media is helping bridge the gap as businesses share heartfelt insights into their operations, allowing us to connect on a deeper level.
For Yaya, the hope was to tap into a new market to sell her delicious muesli rusks, and within 7 weeks, she had hit a golden number. Not only will 10,000 followers boost her business, but it’s a testament to the hard work she has put into her baking over the past decade.
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Now, that is as wholesome as sitting down with a warm cup of your choice and dipping in your favourite rusk! Rusks aren’t just eaten; they’re dunked. Into tea. Into coffee. At dawn. On the stoep. After a hike. Before a road trip. It’s less about the rusk and more about the moment. These iconic South African treats have a long history.
Whether it’s buttermilk, aniseed, condensed milk, or wholewheat with raisins, rusk recipes are often heirlooms passed from gran to mom to cousin or to anyone who asks, “Can I get that recipe?”. Yaya has grand plans for recipe sharing, too. So stay tuned.
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Yaya learned to make her rusks when working for another family where Granny Jill taught her the skill. She has since taken the recipe and baked it for all the families in her care. With the help of her current employer, she has been able to get Yaya’s Rusks off the ground, turning her skill into a business that will hopefully grow beyond 10,000.
“For 16 years, I’ve looked after children like they were my own. Nine little ones have grown up with me and along the way I started making rusks.
I used to bake them for moms doing midnight feeds, school lunchboxes and hungry little tummies. Now, I’m sharing them with more families” – Yaya
If you would love to support Yaya, be sure to give her Instagram a follow and order if you are able.
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