Leila Bedoian, owner of The Local St. Augustine, a retro-style motel in Anastasia Island, has expressed her concerns after President Joe Biden signed a bill that could potentially lead to a nationwide TikTok ban. The hotel is known for its vibrant design and reliance on social media platforms like TikTok to showcase their property and promote the local St. Augustine community.
When designing the property, Bedoian and her team aimed to create a space that people would be excited to share on social media. Their efforts paid off as the transformation of the motel from rundown to vibrant garnered national recognition with USA Today naming it the number one roadside hotel in the country in 2022. Bedoian credits much of their success to the viral TikTok videos that have driven significant traffic to their website.
Small business owners like Bedoian rely on TikTok to reach new customers and increase brand awareness. The platform’s algorithm and search function have allowed her to consistently connect with a larger audience and drive organic growth for her business. Research from Oxford Economics shows that small businesses in Florida generated millions in tax revenue and supported numerous jobs through their use of TikTok in 2021.
Bedoian worries about the impact a potential ban on TikTok could have on her business and others like hers. Finding an alternative platform that provides a similar reach and engagement will prove challenging, especially for those with limited marketing budgets. Despite her concerns, Bedoian remains hopeful that lawmakers will consider the interests of small business owners who rely on platforms like TikTok for their success.
TikTok has become an essential tool for small businesses looking to expand their reach beyond traditional marketing methods. It has allowed them to connect with younger audiences who are more likely to engage with content shared on this platform than other social media platforms.
However, if TikTok were banned in the US, it would be devastating for many small businesses that heavily rely on it as part of their marketing strategy.
Bedoian’s concerns are not unique as many other small businesses are also worried about what a potential ban would mean for them.
Research from Oxford Economics shows that small businesses in Florida generated millions in tax revenue and supported numerous jobs through their use of TikTok in 2021.
If this trend continues, it could lead to significant losses for these companies and potentially even put them out of business altogether.
Bedoian hopes that lawmakers will consider the impact such a ban would have on these businesses before making any decisions regarding TikTok’s future in the US.