Opening a new business is hard. When no one knows who you are, you have to prove yourself. Nearly 20% of new service industry businesses fail in their first year. Not too many employees expect that they have a 20% chance of losing their job in the first year of employment. So it's no surprise that there are a lot of emotions that come with opening a new business.
Maybe you're excited about the prospect of what's to come. Maybe you're nervous that it's not going to go well. But if you have a grand opening and no one shows up? Oof, that's gonna come with a lot of emotions too.
That's why one young man Tweeted out looking for support for his father's new donut shop. The amazing part of the story is what happened next. Sure, the internet can be an awful place, but this is one of those stories of the internet being fantastic.
Our story starts with a guy named Billy By.
via: Twitter
He lives in Texas and has a bit of a passion: donuts.Billy's dad recently opened a donut shop in Texas.
The place is named "Billy's Donuts," and when you hear about the kind of son that Billy is, you'll understand why.Billy is the son every dad would want.
This is my dad's new donut shop, idk why he painted the walls yellow https://t.co/F7GbcKqYsi— Billy's Donuts (@Billy's Donuts)1549159113.0
And when it came to opening Billy's Donuts?
Billy was 100% on board to help in any way he could.It all starts with a simple Tweet.
Who knew social media could be so powerful?Billy's Donuts had a rough start.
My dad is sad cause no one is coming to his new donut shop 😭 https://t.co/y5aGB1Acrc— Billy's Donuts (@Billy's Donuts)1552161861.0
No fewer than 330,000 people Retweeted the post.
And the empty parking lot? Well, it's not so empty anymore.People started posting reviews of the shop.
@tabithafaye98 @hibillyby @rahma_llama This is a review from a customer who just went to Billy’s Donuts this mornin… https://t.co/tIjRr6lXuw— ر (@ر)1552239196.0
The local community turned out in a serious way.
@hibillyby I'M ON MY WAY https://t.co/R43aQuuhMx— 𝕜𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕖 (@𝕜𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕖)1552199090.0
Things started to turn around for the shop.
@SydGarza0 @vincy_bt @hibillyby @cindaquil_ Dude it was really busy when I went too!! His mom was talking about how… https://t.co/yZsfGt0S5S— bruh (@bruh)1552240518.0
Tons of people realized they had to check out this donut shop.
@hibillyby @cindaquil_ I live literally 5 min away.. Most def coming tomorrow! 🍩— viva la revolution (@viva la revolution)1552188645.0
We're not at all surprised about this boom in success.
Look at how delicious those donuts are. LOOK.The best part?
Just wanted to update yall! We completely sold out of donuts and kolaches! You are all amazing. I can't thank every… https://t.co/zc2BH3R0i7— Billy's Donuts (@Billy's Donuts)1552239526.0
The local news even picked up the piece.
@hibillyby Congrats to the By family for today's success! For those following, read more here:… https://t.co/Fwyx4lXY9q— KPRC 2 Houston (@KPRC 2 Houston)1552241660.0
Billy's dad is looking much happier these days.
@hibillyby He looked so happy ❤️ https://t.co/2EcG4V3if5— Nat (@Nat)1552238465.0
For once the internet is making us feel good.
@hibillyby The power of the tweet works. Billy's Donuts has long lines this morning. https://t.co/yuKIfcPq0R— Gil Gredinger (@Gil Gredinger)1552232944.0
Billy's not the only one who got to feel good about his success.
@hibillyby @BabaGlocal I LOVE PEOPLE. Their donuts sold out. I legit wept after reading the comments under this tweet.— Zainab Sikander Siddiqui (@Zainab Sikander Siddiqui)1552286010.0
Sometimes all it takes to make a bad day better is witnessing simple kindness.
@hibillyby @lilyy_alex I’ve had a bad day... seeing this, the social outreach, and the end result with your dad as… https://t.co/dCO5fyk6Th— janderson (@janderson)1552349907.0
The Twitter community local to Billy's was justifiably proud.
@femaleeha @SydGarza0 @vincy_bt @hibillyby @cindaquil_ Gosh this almost made me cry. I love this community— Rovirov (@Rovirov)1552242113.0
Some supporters went a step further.
They didn't just show up at Billy's: they wanted to help in the long term.A few users offered simple business advice to help Billy and his dad do better.
@hibillyby tell your dad to claim his page on yelp. get your SEO up. Maybe invest in a @square register. https://t.co/REm73sAWFI— Hansel Wei 👨🏻💻🧗🏻♂️ (@Hansel Wei 👨🏻💻🧗🏻♂️)1552180597.0
Businesses weren't afraid to jump in and help out too.
@hibillyby @darkmastermindz Let us know what you need.— Square (@Square)1552221051.0
Other people gave helpful hints for how to spruce up the place.
@hibillyby Some paintings or artwork on the walls could help the inside appear more fun and less open/empty, additi… https://t.co/SNrS8ACSV7— King Caswagna (@King Caswagna)1552184106.0
The Tweet went so viral that Billy's had a visit from some special guests.
Thank you for coming @Twitter! https://t.co/vA2lH0lBkl— Billy's Donuts (@Billy's Donuts)1552309027.0
Billy's success just won't stop.
WE ARE SOLD OUT TODAY!— Billy's Donuts (@Billy's Donuts)1552321805.0
But the heart of this story is the bond between father and son.
@hibillyby YALL THE STORE IS NAMED AFTER HIS SON ????— Ram Danielle (@Ram Danielle)1552192498.0
Billy knows how lucky he is.
@RamDanielle He loves me. I don't deserve this— Billy's Donuts (@Billy's Donuts)1552196349.0
Don't mind us.
@hibillyby @RamDanielle THIS IS TOO CUTE NOW I HAVE TO GO 😭😭😭 https://t.co/JPp99bONsr— Camille aka Chibi Not Storming The Capitol Cheez🌺 (@Camille aka Chibi Not Storming The Capitol Cheez🌺)1552210016.0