How it Began

At 13 years old, CEO and founder Niaka traveled to visit her extended family in Liberia, West Africa for the first time. She was amazed to see lush beaches, a bustling metropolis, and high-end restaurants, images that were not often portrayed when learning about countries in Africa. It truly saddened her that the continued depiction of Africa in the West seemed to only show poverty and safaris. With her love of baking, Niaka wanted to display the immense value that countries across Africa offer by showcasing her family's recipe for ricebread, a gluten-free traditional Liberian dessert better known as banana bread.

At Drexel University, she would provide samples of her homemade muffins and loaves at pop-up shops, and people could not get enough of it. While eager to continue baking, the pandemic hit and like many small business owners she had to adjust to the unexpected changes. Rather than solely selling baked goods, Niaka decided to pivot by formulating a gluten free, vegan, & allergy friendly baking mix.

Thus, Sasas Mix was created. Sasas Mix is the first company to showcase this Liberian delicacy in a baking mix. Niaka is dedicated to providing delicious African inspired foods with simple ingredients to those with dietary restrictions and simple enjoyment to those without. Her vision is to share her culture's delicious cuisine so consumers can make authentic recipes that creates warm memories filled with love and joy as such feelings she resonated with while first coming home to Liberia.