Leila Bedoian, the owner of The Local St. Augustine, a retro-style motel in Anastasia Island, is expressing her concerns after President Joe Biden signed a bill that could potentially lead to a nationwide TikTok ban. According to Bedoian, TikTok plays an integral role in her business as she uses the platform to showcase her hotel 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. The transformation of the motel from rundown to vibrant has 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.
Should TikTok be banned in the U.S., Bedoian worries about the impact it will 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.
Bedoian believes that banning TikTok could have disastrous consequences for businesses like hers that have invested time and resources into creating content for the platform. She argues that such a ban would not only stifle creativity but also limit opportunities for small businesses looking to expand their reach.
In conclusion, Bedoian’s concerns highlight the importance of considering how technology policies may impact small businesses when making decisions about national security matters. While there may be legitimate concerns around data privacy and security, these should not come at the expense of limiting innovation and entrepreneurship in our communities.
Furthermore, as we continue to navigate this digital age where social media has become an essential tool for many businesses, policymakers must work towards finding solutions that balance national security interests with economic growth opportunities for entrepreneurs like Leila Bedoian at The Local St