Man Shares Journey From Selling at Taxi Ranks to Baking School Founder
- A TikTok video went viral after detailing a young man’s rise from selling baked goods at taxi ranks to success
- He started by teaching himself recipes through YouTube and renting community halls for lessons before expanding
- His success story has inspired many because he now hires his students, provides equipment to help them start businesses
- Briefly News reached out to Didi, a home baker and founder of Everything Dough Eatery, and Thabiso from Daveyton, who owns Ramies Home Bake, for insight on what it takes to transform a passion for baking into a sustainable business
South Africans were uplifted by the viral TikTok of a self-taught baker who went from selling treats at taxi ranks to creating an accredited baking school that empowers others.
Source: TikTok
A young South African baker’s journey from selling treats at taxi ranks to opening his own accredited baking school has left TikTok users inspired. A video shared by user @siscondhlovu on 19 August 2025 quickly went viral, reaching more than 200,000 likes and over 4,000 comments in just two days. The post detailed a story of resilience, creativity, and building opportunities from almost nothing.
Growing up, he dreamed of becoming a professional baker, but when his parents could not afford culinary school, it seemed like the end of the road. Instead of giving up, he turned to YouTube tutorials and taught himself how to bake luxury cakes and pastries. With determination, he began selling at taxi ranks, visiting tuck shops and garages with his goods. Many turned him away, but those who gave him a chance became stepping stones to something greater.
Turning struggles into success
After two years of hustling at taxi ranks, he saved enough to open his first cake and coffee shop. It was a small business started on a shoestring budget, but it gave him a platform to share his passion. By the age of 20, he had already begun teaching others, hiring out community halls to run his first informal baking classes.
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What started as a side hustle has since grown into a fully accredited baking school. More than 400 people have been trained so far, with many of them going on to start their own small businesses. To ensure his students do not face the same struggles he once did, he even provides baking equipment to those ready to take the next step.
As his business continues to expand, he prioritises hiring graduates from his own classes, creating jobs while giving young bakers a chance to grow. To reach even more people, he has started recording online courses for those who live far away and cannot attend in person.
Didi explained to Briefly News that starting small is common, especially in South Africa, and having a support system can make a big difference.
“It’s quite common, especially in South Africa, where many of us start small to create income opportunities. I started baking from my family's home kitchen while staying with my parents, and that support system really helped because starting isn’t easy. There are days when you feel like nothing is working, but passion keeps you going. One big challenge is being self-taught; you don’t know everything at the beginning, so mistakes happen, and you learn as you go. Getting funding is another struggle (which I’m still facing even after registering my business), as well as affording quality equipment and managing everything alone, from baking to marketing and deliveries. Pricing is also tricky because you want to stay affordable while making a profit.”
Didi also shared advice for aspiring bakers:
“First, you need to be passionate about it and truly want it to work, because this journey takes commitment. There will be long days and late nights, so your passion has to push you through the tough times. You also need to invest in your business, not just financially, but with your time and energy. When I started Everything Dough Eatery, I didn’t have much, but I made sure to reinvest any profit back into improving my ingredients, tools, and packaging."
"Another key part is talking about your business and promoting it every chance you get. A lot of my orders came from social media and word of mouth, so being active and sharing your work really matters. Finally, consistency and quality are non-negotiable, because that’s what brings customers back.”
Beyond financial gains, Didi believes entrepreneurship in baking creates hope and inspires communities:
“It creates opportunities and inspires others to believe they can start from nothing. For me, starting in my parents’ kitchen and slowly building up gave me confidence and showed people around me that it’s possible. Entrepreneurship in baking doesn’t just create income; it builds hope and community.”
Thabiso highlighted both the challenges and essential skills for turning baking into a career.
“In my experience, it’s possible but uncommon; roughly 2 out of 10 people succeed. The biggest challenges are strong competition from established bakeries, local rules demanding permits and fees, lack of steady clientele, last-minute order cancellations, and tight cash flow because you schedule ingredients and labour around orders that can be dropped at the last minute.”
Thabiso stressed that practical skills and attention to detail are vital:
“Time management, attention to detail, technical baking skills, equipment knowledge, clear communication, and attractive presentation and packaging are crucial. Clients often bring specific designs, and executing them perfectly builds trust and repeat business.”
He added that baking entrepreneurship can have a wider community impact:
“Baking businesses uplift the local economy by creating jobs, stimulating small supplier networks, and inspiring other young people to pursue their skills. Successful micro-bakeries can reduce unemployment and build community pride, showing others that small beginnings can grow into real opportunities.”
Source: TikTok
Mzansi reacted to the video
Tsepo said:
"Never been so proud of a stranger."
Shavhi0 said:
"Your story deserves to go into the books of history. 👌"
Sizakelesithole said:
"God qualifies the unqualified! Congratulations, stranger. 🥳❤️"
mphosello said:
“'I crawled so they could walk,' and that’s why God trusted you! Congratulations. 🙌🏿"
Okuhle Pearl Shinga said:
"God basically said that you won’t go to Culinary School, you will become the culinary School. 😭 Indeed, our God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we can think or ask of him. What a beautiful testimony!"
Kgosigadi said:
"Jeremiah 29:11: 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'😌✨✨"
My leadership said:
"How do I like this a thousand times!"
noniii said:
"God doesn’t call the qualified; he calls to qualify. 🥺🤍🤍"
Check out the TikTok post below:
3 Briefly News stories related to baked goods
- A woman posted a video of the cake she baked, which looked like one from a popular supermarket.
- A woman living in Pretoria, Gauteng, plugged social media users with an establishment that lets people design their cakes.
- A woman showcased an online purchase of a baked goods bundle containing a generous selection of treats.
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Source: Briefly News
