Local TikTok creators across Central Illinois feeling nervous ahead of potential ban

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The clock is ticking for local TikTok creators. Across Central Illinois, many local businesses and small shops rely on short form videos to attract a wider audience. The potential ban in place, could cause their accounts to take a hit. 

"It felt like this idea of TikTok getting banned was just kind of a looming idea to where there wasn't much action behind it for a while..." explains Olivia Moffitt, a content creator in Champaign-Urbana. Moffitt runs 'A Girl About CU' to advertise and showcase local restaurants, coffee shops, and retail. 

She says, her platform on TikTok reaches 30,000 to 50,000 UIUC students monthly. "To lose that momentum kind of makes me sad! And I'm worried!"

For others, they use TikTok to market their salon services. Sheen Beauty Spa in Forsyth celebrated their grand opening this past December, and estheticians have taken to the app to showcase their work. 

Carly Reeder, one of the estheticians, shares how important TikTok has been for them since opening. "Being a new spa and salon in this area, it's important for us to build clientele and show the audience what we have to offer!"

The team at Sheen Beauty Spa offer wax services, facials, lashes, and eyebrow services that they feel meet the audience on TikTok. 

"I've reached so many clients through TikTok already..." shares Katie Stith, an esthetician who posts facial content to her followers. "TikTok is a great community! It's a way to reach multiple different age groups and different types of people. It makes me so sad."

The anxiety continues to grow for many who utilize the app for business. The ban, these creators feel, will heavily disrupt their flow of customers and followers. 

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