ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.
Lindzi Shanks is not thrilled about the prospect of TikTok’s impending ban.
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Shanks co-owns colorful specialty marshmallow brand XO Marshmallow, which makes over seven figures on TikTok Shop alone. That Chicago-based business was among the many that contributed to TikTok’s $24 billion boost to U.S. gross domestic product in 2024. Shanks has spoken about her business and its use of TikTok previously with The Playbook.
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“The ban would be completely devastating to so many small businesses and creators who rely on the income,” Shanks said in an email, adding XO Marshmallow has worked to diversify its marketing to not be reliant on one single channel. It also has a brick-and-mortar retail space. “We are fortunate in that we are not in a position where we need to panic,” she added.
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