There’s a moment in every small business owner’s journey when you realize just how big the “big guys” really are. The corporations. The platforms. The algorithms.
They feel untouchable.
But here’s the truth they don’t want you to remember: They only stand that tall because we built the ground they’re standing on.
When I finally won my battle with Meta to reclaim @Tonitunes™, it wasn’t just about a name. It was about a principle. About proving that one woman, one LLC, one determined voice can still matter in a world that’s forgotten what customer service even means.
Since COVID, I’ve watched this shift happen across every major platform. Real people replaced by auto-replies. Support turned into a form letter. Accountability traded for convenience.
And the result? Broken systems. Broken trust.
Meta isn’t even accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and with an F rating and a 1-star average, I can’t say I’m surprised. But what does surprise me is how many of us have quietly accepted that. As if it’s just the cost of doing business in the modern age.
It’s not.
Small business owners, we are the backbone of America.
We are the ones staying up late to pack an order right, to double-check a shipment, to write a thank-you note to someone who believed in us enough to buy from us. We don’t need billion-dollar marketing teams; we have something far more powerful, heart, honesty, and human connection.
When I fought for Tonitunes™, I wasn’t just fighting for myself. I was fighting for every creator who’s ever been told they’re too small to matter. Every artist, seller, or maker who’s been dismissed by a help desk that doesn’t help. Every dreamer who’s ever stared at a corporate policy and thought, “This isn’t right.”
So here’s my message for this Monday:
Stand up. Speak up. Document everything. Don’t back down.
They may have algorithms, but we have authenticity.
They may have reach, but we have relationships.
And when you combine honesty, consistency, and courage, the giants stumble every time.
It’s time to bring back personalized service. It’s time to remind the world that real people still care, still listen, and still believe that business should be built on trust, not ticket numbers.
To every small business owner out there:
Don’t let anyone tell you your voice doesn’t matter.
Because when one of us stands tall, it gives the rest of us permission to do the same.
You have rights. You have value. And you have power. Use it!
With love, persistence, and no white flags,
Tonya M. Stinson
🖖 Designs by Tonitunes™ LLC
