From Firefighting to Leading a $30 Billion TikTok Mission

From Firefighting to Leading a $30 Billion TikTok Mission

More than a decade ago, I was working long 24-hour shifts with CalFire, driving my old Corolla to the station while shaping dreams of creating something significant. Fast forward to today, I find myself at the helm of a group of American investors eager to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations. Life can change rapidly, doesn’t it?

This venture extends beyond mere business dealings. It reflects our commitment to safeguarding what countless Americans have built on TikTok, ensuring it remains a reflection of American values. As someone who transformed a vision into reality through hard work and resilience, I understand the importance of protecting what we cherish.

When I embarked on the journey that grew into employer.com, it started with just me, my laptop, and copious amounts of coffee at the local Temple Coffee Roasters in downtown Sacramento. I had no influential venture capitalists backing me or safety nets to catch me if I fell. Instead, I was a firefighter determined to connect talented individuals with fulfilling job opportunities. This experience resonates with many creators and small business owners currently thriving on TikTok.

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I still drive that trusty Corolla. Even after building employer.com into a respected entity, I choose to stay grounded. True success is not measured by luxury cars or elegant offices; it stems from staying authentic to one’s values and recalling our origins. It is essential to recognize that TikTok embodies a platform where everyday individuals share their lives, aspirations, and ideas with a global audience.

Understanding the apprehensions surrounding the platform’s Chinese ownership is crucial. I run a company that aids numerous small businesses in managing employee information, so I deeply value privacy and security. However, an outright ban on TikTok seems akin to using a fire hose to extinguish a birthday candle. While it may address the immediate concern, it risks causing extensive collateral damage.

In my firefighting days, I learned that sometimes the best way to protect something is to take charge of the situation rather than shutting it down entirely. We urgently need American ownership of TikTok to safeguard both national interests and a platform that millions of entrepreneurs and creators rely on.

That is why I am joined by a dedicated group of fellow business leaders and investors. Unlike the tech giants of Silicon Valley with vast financial resources, we are entrepreneurs who have built our businesses from the ground up. We appreciate the value of hard work and the opportunities it presents. Our goal now is to preserve the platform that supports countless Americans in their journey to economic success while facilitating connections and self-expression.

I have witnessed firsthand how TikTok serves as a vital resource for small businesses. A restaurant owner in Oak Park expanded her customer base significantly due to engaging TikTok videos. Similarly, a man in Roseville left his corporate job to follow his passion for woodworking, building his customer base entirely on the platform. These stories reflect real people with genuine aspirations creating thriving businesses.

During my early career, I understood the struggle of odds stacked against me and the skepticism directed towards my potential. I often heard doubts about not being influential or sophisticated enough to succeed. What I learned is this: with sufficient determination and the right opportunities, anyone can accomplish extraordinary feats.

This is the crux of our mission. TikTok transcends being just another app; it is an opportunity platform for millions of Americans. Yes, we must address the issues surrounding its Chinese ownership and prioritize protecting American users’ data. However, we must approach this in a manner that preserves the platform that countless hardworking individuals depend on.

I continue to operate out of Sacramento, frequently returning to Temple Coffee for a familiar routine. Ultimately, it is not about being the largest or most prestigious – it is about doing what is right and facilitating opportunities for others. That is why we have decided to step forward. Often, the best guardians of something valuable are those who remember the hard work it took to create it.

Yes, we must work towards preserving TikTok. This effort is not about algorithms, data, or technology. It is about the millions of everyday Americans who have built their dreams upon this platform. If a firefighter from Sacramento can establish a company that now supports over 10,000 small businesses, imagine the immense potential that the next generation of innovators and dreamers could unleash if provided with the appropriate opportunities and platforms.

It is essential to recognize that where you start does not determine your destiny; it is about the aspirations you hold and the resilience to pursue them. Right now, we are passionate about keeping this platform alive for every American using it to fulfill their dreams, just as I pursued mine.

I express my gratitude to President Donald Trump for granting us the time and opportunity to work towards saving TikTok for American creators. We firmly believe that our proposal aligns with the president’s objectives to protect national interests, secure user data, and uphold TikTok as a safe space for free speech to flourish.

Let us rally together to accomplish this endeavor. Not for Wall Street or Silicon Valley, but for the spirit of Main Street, USA. That is where we originate, who we are, and for whom we are fighting.