TikTok is the fast-growing social media platform that is continuing to take the world by storm, with over 14.8 million users in the UK forecasted this year – many are hoping to be the next TikTok success story.
Lounging in bed scrolling through silly videos and trending dances can be incredibly addictive and seems to make time pass faster.
But what makes the video app so popular?
Trending sounds, dances, and themes are a daily occurrence, and the most popular influencers on the app must keep their eyes peeled and brains switched on to come up with creative ways to stay on top.
The ‘For You Page (FYP)’ is anyone’s best bet of finding fame and getting their video seen by potentially millions of users across the world.
Some accounts have struck gold with viral TikToks, whilst others seemingly stumbled into stardom by mistake.
But what did these accounts do and where are they now?
Let’s look at the current trends, famous faces, and how they’re coping with all this fame and fortune.
Binley Mega Chippy
Image Credit: The Guardian
In a whirlwind turn of events, a Coventry takeaway shop became an unlikely tourist destination after a catchy song about Binley Mega Chippy went viral, reaching crowds across the UK and as far as the United States and Australia.
Posted under the hashtag #BinleyMegaChippy and from anonymous accounts such as @binleymegachippyoffical, various memes featuring the short sound gained traction within just a few days.
As a result, TikTokers – including food influencers and TikTok stars – from as far as Portsmouth, the US, and even Australia, have made the long journey to queue up for a standard fish & chip meal.
Chip-shop owner Kama Gandhi, 70, has told news outlets that he has no idea who started the trend but is thankful that the free marketing has driven customers to the takeaway in droves.
Gandhi told The Guardian: “We’re really grateful, it’s a gift from God really.”
Whilst the trend has increased the popularity of Binley Mega Chippy, we will have to see how long it lasts before the next trend hits the UK scene…
Yorkshire Peach
Originally from Georgia, USA, Lisa Dollan – also known as Yorkshire Peach – is a TikTok star with over a million followers who now resides in Leeds.
After starting her account during lockdown, Lisa originally started creating content focused on mental health and addiction: she shared open and honest videos detailing her experiences in the hopes that it would help others.
But it wasn’t story times that made her famous, it was an unlikely KFC video that sent her viral.
A simple video and a simple mistake: Lisa tried to order chicken fingers whilst at home and mispronounced the word “goujons” as “Goo-Lee-Ons,” which sent users into a tizzy and resulted in an overnight spike in followers.
Yorkshire Peach now creates content focused on the cultural differences between the UK and US, and what life is like as an American living in Leeds.
Her account continues to skyrocket and tick all the right boxes and she hopes her funny content can draw attention to important issues such as mental health and addiction.
Candy Works
Image Credit: Yorkshire Evening Post
The first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 led to many finding themselves sadly out of work.
For a Leeds family struggling to make ends meet, TikTok was their last-ditch effort at reaching a wider online audience and making their newly formed business work.
After identifying a gap in the market for pick and mix sweets, Sophie and Ryan Taylor began a TikTok account armed with £400 worth of sweets.
Only a few videos in, the pair went viral and were soon flooded with orders for UK sweets and treats from abroad.
The business, Candy Works, has now reached 1.2 million followers on TikTok and made a turnover of £1.4 million since it launched in November 2020.
With orders coming in globally, the family business now attributes its success to marketing on TikTok, which has led to rapid growth and provided the opportunity to scale up.
Francis Bourgeois
Image Credit: The Drum
Another lockdown success, Francois Bourgeois – real name Luke Nicholson – began making TikTok videos to showcase his love for trainspotting.
Using a POV GoPro offering all kinds of funny angles, Francis started gaining traction for his enthusiasm and interesting way of sharing his love for trains.
Within 2 years of posting regularly to his account, the star has hit 2.6 million TikTok followers and a following of 1.7 million on Instagram.
Thanks to his consistency and building on his personal brand, Francis became featured in the second chapter of The North Face X Gucci campaign.
In the ads, Francis is featured as a train conductor – proving that anyone can be a social media influencer if they find a way to turn their passion into a full-time job.
The Perfect Gift Company
Image Credit: Yorkshire Evening Post
Sharing unique content, following trends, and staying active are the tried and tested steps for success, which many small businesses can attest to.
Kirsty Spikings, 31, set up The Perfect Gift Company over six years ago and boldly joined TikTok in 2021.
She began sharing videos of her products and the process of creating bespoke gifts for customers that can be bought online.
On one fateful day, a video that showcased Kirsty’s skills at using a heat press to place family photos and treasured memories onto decorative roof slate tiles went viral.
This video – which has now been viewed hundreds of thousands of times – led to her company receiving hundreds of orders overnight.
Now, Kirsty has amassed a huge 174,000-strong following under the name @theslateladyy and creates videos focused on her gifts, giveaways, and personal life.
From humble beginnings to the next TikTok success story, Kirsty has now turned her side hustle into a full-time job with a rented unit to meet the increasing demand.