Portland businesses, creators worry as TikTok ban decision looms [Video]

Local businesses that built success through TikTok explore alternatives as app’s fate hangs on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision.

PORTLAND, Ore. — A catchy tune, cool camera pans, close-ups of delicious food—and bam: “Ooooh, I should check that place out!”

Those are the words that inevitably follow after watching a TikTok post by Live PDX creator Joe Kovachevich.

For Kovachevich, TikTok isn’t just an app — it’s a lifeline for local businesses he helps promote through his viral food videos.

“My job is pretty cool,” said Kovachevich, owner of Kovac Media. “Organic social media has a lot of potential for reach, so it’s like word of mouth on steroids.”

For four years, Kovachevich has showcased Portland’s mom-and-pop restaurants on social media for free, making his living through larger, paid accounts while creating TikTok content as a passion project.

“Without TikTok, we probably wouldn’t be where we are today,” he said. “So it does hit pretty close to home, the talks of the TikTok …