Son Shares Photo Of His Dad, Sad That No One Is Coming To His New Donut Shop, It Goes Viral And People Flood The Shop
Starting a new business is a commitment that comes with a certain amount of risk. No matter how hard-working, passionate and skilled you are, the customers are never just guaranteed to come and it is estimated that some 20% of small businesses will fail in their first year.
Image credits: BillysDonutsHTX
Billy By, from Missouri City, Texas, was heartbroken to find that his dad’s brand-new donut store, Billy’s Donuts, wasn’t getting any customers at its grand opening. The donuts looked delicious (they are donuts after all), the shop was bright and sparkling new, everything was ready for a successful start to Billy’s Donuts. All that was missing were the people.
Billy’s dad, being from an older generation, perhaps didn’t know the importance of social media for marketing in this day and age. Billy does though, and he took to Twitter to share a pic of his dad looking ‘sad’ about his predicament.
Now, social media gets a lot of stick at times, bringing out the very worst in us as we shout at each other obnoxiously and say things to each other that we never would in real life. But it definitely has its good side too, as people can come together for a good cause and help someone in need, fostering a real community spirit.
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It didn’t take long before the online buzz turned into a physical one as people started queuing up to get their hands on Billy’s donuts. While some online campaigns have attracted criticism for promoting ‘slacktivism,’ defined as “the practice of supporting a social cause by means such as social media, characterized as involving very little effort or commitment,” this was the real deal.
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And it wasn’t long before demand overtook supply, and Billy’s donuts were completely sold out. The kolaches were apparently a particular favorite for many.
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Billy’s original tweet now has over 325,000 retweets and over 700,000 likes, as people banded together to give this family-run business a boost. People started showing up at the shop in huge numbers, and Billy’s dad sold out so rapidly that his delicious donuts became a highly sought-after prize. “So delicious..mmmm” People wrote, also describing them as “the best ever.” Billy further helped out his dad’s visibility by starting an Instagram page full of mouth-watering pics, which already has 100k followers just a few days later.
Image credits: BillysDonutsHTX
Image credits: BillysDonutsHTX
The feelgood story shows just how social media sites like Twitter can be harnessed for good, rather than the divisive rhetoric that the platform has become better known for. Such was the positivity around Billy and his dad’s business, some Twitter representatives couldn’t help but head over and try some donuts themselves.
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What a wholesome, sweet story of positivity and kindness. Billy’s dad now has a thriving and highly-regarded business, thanks to the canny marketing of his son and the goodwill of strangers. Instead of heading to the usual big chains for your donuts, consider local, independent traders instead, and if you can make it to Texas, check out Billy’s dad!
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And just to prove that Billy’s dad is no flash-in-the-pan social media 15 minutes of famer, glowing reviews of his donuts came pouring in from plenty of satisfied customers. He had done everything right when building his own small business, he just needed that little push to get the ball rolling. He can thank his son for that!
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You can really tell he takes pride in his craftsmanship. He deserves to do well in his community. I wish him all of the luck against the bigger giants of the donut world. Keep supporting the local owners.
I grew up near a donut shop..Chuck's Donuts..best donuts in town. Then I went to college 120 miles away. I longed for the same donuts, but no one in my college town could deliver the same quality. Then ABC donuts opened. Lo and Behold..they tasted just like Chuck's donuts. When I mentioned this to the owner, he laughed. He said "I worked at Chuck's donuts for 10 years. Glad you liked them then too." Hot Damn!! Thank you Donut Gods!!
Wow, a tweet from Twitter itself! Now that is cool! And now I wish I could stop there and get donuts, but I'm hundreds and hundreds of miles away. If I am ever in that area though................. donuts for me!
I'm not touched, or happy, or whatever... At least not at first: I'm craving for some donuts now! Texas is way too far! :( Are you happy BP? Are you happy? :D J.K: Kudos for all the people involved in this story! (I'm still salivating, though!)
This shop is literally my dream come true. Look at all them donuts!!!!!!
Opening a new donut shop in America is probably the best or worst idea ever. Glad he has customers but i hope people just don't feel sorry for him and disappear as soon as the social media photo ops are over.
7022 Hwy 6 suite 800, Missouri City, TX 77459 i think
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Once again, the internet restores my faith. Only for a little bit though, I'm sure they'll do something stupid again soon.
They HAVE to be better than the meager, bland factory bombs from Dunkin and the nothing but sugar, tasteless Kreme...I don't like any donuts that aren't hand made. I realized how awful the others were when my parents had fresh made. It was a revelation, just like when I realized all the added sugar in hamburger buns, bread, and even salsa. These look scrumptious! For a once in a while treat, these would be more than worth it.
One of those rare instances where social media is used for good, instead of evil.
The interior design of hi dad's shop looks pretty much the same here in my country , wonder why he didn't ask someone first for promotion. I'm looking at those donuts and drools how the toppings are and how glazed every single pieces, might grab some donuts later.
I just looked up Billy's Donuts. They are still really popular. 5-star review on Google. Awesome! If I'm ever in that part of Texas, I will totally stop in there.
Stahp making me crave the doughnutssss (and want to go there) wait.... WHerE aRE ThE pLanE TiCketS leMME gO To tHAT BeAutiFul pLace
Why am I teary. Wow...I know what having customers in a business mean. Happy for them.
It's just awesome your collections. I check yours collections are feeling better. You are also invited to visit mine site and check my collection…. https://luckysuperstorenj.business.site/ Nice Job Thank you for sharing
I miss good kolaches so much! We had a bakery that made them fresh, but the owners sold the place and the new owners made them early and froze them. Freezing them ruined them--since there was no good way to reheat them without letting them thaw for a day....which defeated the purpose of getting them for breakfast. Those new owners didn't take criticism well, and drove the shop into the ground within a few months.
This is so cute and heartwarming, I love it. Restores a little of my lost faith in humanity
While I'm glad that social media worked out for them, it just as easily could have gone the other way and gotten them nothing out of it... oftentimes things going viral on social media is just pure luck...
You can really tell he takes pride in his craftsmanship. He deserves to do well in his community. I wish him all of the luck against the bigger giants of the donut world. Keep supporting the local owners.
I grew up near a donut shop..Chuck's Donuts..best donuts in town. Then I went to college 120 miles away. I longed for the same donuts, but no one in my college town could deliver the same quality. Then ABC donuts opened. Lo and Behold..they tasted just like Chuck's donuts. When I mentioned this to the owner, he laughed. He said "I worked at Chuck's donuts for 10 years. Glad you liked them then too." Hot Damn!! Thank you Donut Gods!!
Wow, a tweet from Twitter itself! Now that is cool! And now I wish I could stop there and get donuts, but I'm hundreds and hundreds of miles away. If I am ever in that area though................. donuts for me!
I'm not touched, or happy, or whatever... At least not at first: I'm craving for some donuts now! Texas is way too far! :( Are you happy BP? Are you happy? :D J.K: Kudos for all the people involved in this story! (I'm still salivating, though!)
This shop is literally my dream come true. Look at all them donuts!!!!!!
Opening a new donut shop in America is probably the best or worst idea ever. Glad he has customers but i hope people just don't feel sorry for him and disappear as soon as the social media photo ops are over.
7022 Hwy 6 suite 800, Missouri City, TX 77459 i think
Load More Replies... Once again, the internet restores my faith. Only for a little bit though, I'm sure they'll do something stupid again soon.
They HAVE to be better than the meager, bland factory bombs from Dunkin and the nothing but sugar, tasteless Kreme...I don't like any donuts that aren't hand made. I realized how awful the others were when my parents had fresh made. It was a revelation, just like when I realized all the added sugar in hamburger buns, bread, and even salsa. These look scrumptious! For a once in a while treat, these would be more than worth it.
One of those rare instances where social media is used for good, instead of evil.
The interior design of hi dad's shop looks pretty much the same here in my country , wonder why he didn't ask someone first for promotion. I'm looking at those donuts and drools how the toppings are and how glazed every single pieces, might grab some donuts later.
I just looked up Billy's Donuts. They are still really popular. 5-star review on Google. Awesome! If I'm ever in that part of Texas, I will totally stop in there.
Stahp making me crave the doughnutssss (and want to go there) wait.... WHerE aRE ThE pLanE TiCketS leMME gO To tHAT BeAutiFul pLace
Why am I teary. Wow...I know what having customers in a business mean. Happy for them.
It's just awesome your collections. I check yours collections are feeling better. You are also invited to visit mine site and check my collection…. https://luckysuperstorenj.business.site/ Nice Job Thank you for sharing
I miss good kolaches so much! We had a bakery that made them fresh, but the owners sold the place and the new owners made them early and froze them. Freezing them ruined them--since there was no good way to reheat them without letting them thaw for a day....which defeated the purpose of getting them for breakfast. Those new owners didn't take criticism well, and drove the shop into the ground within a few months.
This is so cute and heartwarming, I love it. Restores a little of my lost faith in humanity
While I'm glad that social media worked out for them, it just as easily could have gone the other way and gotten them nothing out of it... oftentimes things going viral on social media is just pure luck...
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