America Banned TikTok Before Guns: Let's Talk About Freedom
Global Note: Week of January 19th
First, I'm still buzzing from yesterday's Summit! Thank you to everyone who attended—your positive reviews have made my weekend truly special. Seeing so many families take concrete steps toward their global dreams is exactly why I created this community.
Speaking of dreams and freedom - let's talk about what happened this morning. America, the "land of the free," just banned TikTok before addressing gun violence. The irony isn't lost on me.
For many, TikTok might seem like just another social platform full of dance trends. But as someone who used it to build Your Expat Life from an idea into a thriving community, I know it's so much more. It's where entrepreneurs test ideas, build communities, and find their voice. It's where I first shared my family's expat journey and found others dreaming of similar paths.
This ban has many creators panicking, and it highlights something I've been teaching for years: never build your house on rented land. Whether you're running a business from London, Copenhagen, or Doha (as I have), your foundation needs to be solid and owned by you.
In my business, I follow what I call the Online Impact Formula:
Lead Activation (building your audience)
Lead Nurture (developing relationships)
Conversion Experience (creating trust)
Product Fulfillment (delivering value)
This formula works worldwide because it's about fundamental business principles, not platform-dependent tricks.
As we watch these changes unfold (yes, Trump takes office tomorrow, and who knows what that means for the ban), I'm reminded why my mission matters more than ever: helping families create sustainable lives abroad where they have more control over their future.
Whether it's social media bans, gun violence, or any other challenge facing America today, remember - you have options. Your family's future isn't tied to any one platform or even any one country.
Here's to building foundations that can't be banned, Sonaya
P.S. If you attended the Summit yesterday, your replays & action plans are coming to your inbox tomorrow. Let's keep this momentum going!
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