TikTok Ban Leaves Small Business Owners in Limbo: One Entrepreneur’s Story

As the deadline for TikTok’s ban in the US looms, small business owners like Brandon Hurst are left uncertain about what to do. The owner of a plant delivery business, Hurst credits TikTok with transforming his life by allowing him to share his personality and easily connect with customers to make sales. Since venturing into selling plants on TikTok a year ago, Hurst has seen his business grow threefold.

The potential ban could have significant consequences for Hurst and the estimated seven million small businesses on TikTok. Hurst’s company employs eight people, and their livelihoods would be at risk if TikTok is banned in the US. The ban was recently signed into law as part of a foreign aid package, giving ByteDance, TikTok’s owner, a limited time frame to sell the platform to an American company.

If ByteDance fails to sell the platform or if no suitable buyer is found, it could lead to uncertainty for many entrepreneurs who rely on TikTok for their businesses. While TikTok has stated its intention to challenge the ban through legal means, it sets the stage for further disputes between China and the US over trade and technology issues.

Analysts predict that platforms like Instagram Reels could potentially benefit from a TikTok ban but acknowledge that replicating its unique culture and impact may be challenging. In these rapidly evolving circumstances, small business owners like Hurst must remain focused on their businesses while weighing their options carefully. While there are other platforms available, none can replace the live selling aspect that TikTok offers so seamlessly.