Small Businesses Face Uncertain Future as TikTok Ban May Be Imminent

News Summary

The potential TikTok ban raises concerns for small business owners who rely on the platform for marketing and customer engagement. Successful businesses like Crown’s Corner Mechanic and Mommy and Me: The Listers face an uncertain future as they depend heavily on TikTok to attract customers and generate revenue. Alternative platforms may not provide the same level of engagement, prompting anxiety and organizing efforts among business owners.

Small Businesses Face Uncertain Future as TikTok Ban May Be Imminent

As whispers of a potential ban on TikTok swirl through the business community, many small business owners are starting to worry about how this change could impact their livelihoods. Since its launch in 2016, TikTok has rapidly grown into a powerful tool for customer acquisition, advertising, marketing, and even direct sales for millions of businesses across the U.S.

The Success Story of a Small Business

Take the example of Desiree Hill, owner of Crown’s Corner Mechanic in Conyers, Georgia. Hill’s shop has blossomed, thanks in part to her savvy use of TikTok. The app has allowed her to promote her services effectively, and it’s paid off significantly — allowing her to move into a larger, brick-and-mortar location.

According to Hill, she sees two to three customers daily who found her through her TikTok videos. It’s been a game-changer for her small business. Now, with the potential ban looming large, she feels understandably anxious about what the future holds.

The Potential Fallout

The looming TikTok ban isn’t just a concern for Hill; it could reverberate throughout the small business community nationwide. Experts estimate that a ban could lead to over $1 billion in lost revenue for small businesses in just the first month alone.

The U.S. Justice Department has pushed for TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app or face a ban by January 19th due to ongoing security worries. To add fuel to the fire, the Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on the TikTok issue, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and concern. President Trump has even asked the Supreme Court for a delay regarding this anticipated ban.

Alternative Platforms Can’t Match TikTok’s Impact

If TikTok does get banned, small business owners will have to pivot and explore alternative platforms such as Instagram Reels, SnapChat, and YouTube Shorts. While some businesses may already use these platforms, many owners, like Hill, worry they won’t be able to achieve the same level of reach or engagement.

Crystal Lister, who runs Mommy and Me: The Listers in Cypress, Texas, shares this concern. She finds TikTok’s video creation tools and reach much easier to navigate compared to its alternatives. “I just feel more connected with my audience through TikTok,” she explains. Losing that functionality could hinder her business’s growth.

Building Connections and Looking to the Future

Experts recommend that small businesses start building a robust database of customer contacts to help with direct marketing efforts, regardless of where they end up. However, business owners like Hill and Lister remain cautious about other platforms’ limitations, fearing they won’t have the same audience engagement that they’ve enjoyed on TikTok.

National Security Versus Free Speech

On top of all that, there’s a heated debate about whether TikTok poses security risks, as it may allow user data to be accessed by the Chinese government. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has made this point clear, underscoring the need to consider national security steps regarding the app.

A recent bill that passed in the House with strong bipartisan support (with a vote of 352 to 65) points to serious political momentum toward a TikTok ban unless ByteDance agrees to divest from it. Yet TikTok argues that this proposed ban represents an attack on constitutional rights and could set a dangerous precedent for free speech.

The Broad User Base and Community Impact

With over 150 million users in the U.S., TikTok has become a central hub for connection and marketing. Interestingly, Louisiana ranks among the top five states for TikTok downloads, signaling how embedded the platform has become in people’s daily lives, including numerous small businesses.

As the clock ticks down to the January deadline, small business owners like Hill and Lister are holding their breath, hoping to retain the tool that has been pivotal in their growth. In the face of potential disruption, they know that adaptability will be key, but there remains an immense sense of unease about what might come next.

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Additional Resources

• The Associated Press
• Wikipedia: TikTok
• CBS News
• Google Search: TikTok ban 2025
• BBC News
• Google Scholar: TikTok bans impacts on business
• Encyclopedia Britannica: TikTok
• Google News: TikTok ban impact on small businesses