June of 2014, a young 17 year old girl opened up her own doughnut shop in our small town of Front Royal, Virginia. Front Royal is hard to open small businesses because we have had the same businesses for 30 plus years. But she did it along with the help of her parents, while still going to high school. Wow what an accomplishment right? She maintains that her bullying in school is what drove her to better herself. She wanted to send a message and be the hope that most teenagers need.
Then the controversy started by only a handful of small minded people who didn't agree with her themed doughnut diner. It is a 50's style black, white and pink pin-up shoppe with themed fresh doughnuts from her own recipes. She began to get hate mail and media attention. As a town, we gathered beside her, continued to go to the shop amidst the boycotting of certain people who disapproved.
Her Facebook page had been shared with many including myself to hush the naysayers. People came in droves and from different cities and states to support her. She began to give back to the community with a thanksgiving food drive.
She also had more pop up stores and was making it big! Until.......
She somehow landed an opportunity to share her doughnuts with the world by taking them to the MTV Movie Awards. Wow!!! How awesome is that ? She shared the info with all the locals as well as getting her hair done by a local shop who had also supported her.
Then, there was a scathing article written on MTV.com about our little small town. She was quoted by saying "My whole town hates me" and we are a "Footloose" town.
The FACEBOOK wars began. I had a major issue with this. You are biting the hand that feeds you. Bashing an entire town based on only a handful of ignorant people is highly unfair, and very unprofessional. Up until this point she has stayed classy and professional while in interviews etc.
But it wasn't the bullies that she was upsetting. It was the thousands of supporters that made her shoppe so popular. Why would she do this? The only response you will get from the very own NAUGHTY Girl herself or many of her mouth pieces is "You have to remember she is 17 years old"
I disagree with that statement because everyone wanted to give her recognition for so much that she had accomplished AS A 17 YEAR OLD. You have been many interviews for TV and for Print. Why now are you unprofessional and ONLY 17? Why is it great that she is 17 when she is doing good, but she can't be held accountable for what she says on a nationwide web article?
I am puzzled at people that forget where they came from. You have a great story to tell the world yet you are still focused on a handful of people? I want to know if you lost business because of your mouth? Because it is a big scary world out there in LA. Wouldn't want you to regret the people you stepped on to get to the top.
If you to take a look at this photo of the pop up store in LA. As you can see there are 2 posters of articles written about her store in the FRONT ROYAL newspapers. You know.... the one that hates you
I will end with this. I have been known to burn a couple of bridges in my time and I had to deal with them when the time came to either find another way or mend that said bridge. My advice to you Tiana Ramos of Naughty Girls Doughnuts, if you want to apologize to your many supporters, make sure that you put our small little town in a better light the next time you go to MTV, NBC etc. You have damaged our entire town for one article to move yourself up the ladder. I think this town deserves more than "But I'm only 17" as an apology. Don't ever forget who stood by you when you first opened those doors. Until an out right apology on a NATIONAL level comes, I will not be a supporter of Naughty Girls Doughnuts.
Our town is a wonderful community. I have lived here my entire life. The schools are so much better than they were when I was in school. We come together in times of need. That is something that Tiana has lost sight of.
Then the controversy started by only a handful of small minded people who didn't agree with her themed doughnut diner. It is a 50's style black, white and pink pin-up shoppe with themed fresh doughnuts from her own recipes. She began to get hate mail and media attention. As a town, we gathered beside her, continued to go to the shop amidst the boycotting of certain people who disapproved.
Her Facebook page had been shared with many including myself to hush the naysayers. People came in droves and from different cities and states to support her. She began to give back to the community with a thanksgiving food drive.
She also had more pop up stores and was making it big! Until.......
She somehow landed an opportunity to share her doughnuts with the world by taking them to the MTV Movie Awards. Wow!!! How awesome is that ? She shared the info with all the locals as well as getting her hair done by a local shop who had also supported her.
Then, there was a scathing article written on MTV.com about our little small town. She was quoted by saying "My whole town hates me" and we are a "Footloose" town.
The FACEBOOK wars began. I had a major issue with this. You are biting the hand that feeds you. Bashing an entire town based on only a handful of ignorant people is highly unfair, and very unprofessional. Up until this point she has stayed classy and professional while in interviews etc.
But it wasn't the bullies that she was upsetting. It was the thousands of supporters that made her shoppe so popular. Why would she do this? The only response you will get from the very own NAUGHTY Girl herself or many of her mouth pieces is "You have to remember she is 17 years old"
I disagree with that statement because everyone wanted to give her recognition for so much that she had accomplished AS A 17 YEAR OLD. You have been many interviews for TV and for Print. Why now are you unprofessional and ONLY 17? Why is it great that she is 17 when she is doing good, but she can't be held accountable for what she says on a nationwide web article?
I am puzzled at people that forget where they came from. You have a great story to tell the world yet you are still focused on a handful of people? I want to know if you lost business because of your mouth? Because it is a big scary world out there in LA. Wouldn't want you to regret the people you stepped on to get to the top.
If you to take a look at this photo of the pop up store in LA. As you can see there are 2 posters of articles written about her store in the FRONT ROYAL newspapers. You know.... the one that hates you
I will end with this. I have been known to burn a couple of bridges in my time and I had to deal with them when the time came to either find another way or mend that said bridge. My advice to you Tiana Ramos of Naughty Girls Doughnuts, if you want to apologize to your many supporters, make sure that you put our small little town in a better light the next time you go to MTV, NBC etc. You have damaged our entire town for one article to move yourself up the ladder. I think this town deserves more than "But I'm only 17" as an apology. Don't ever forget who stood by you when you first opened those doors. Until an out right apology on a NATIONAL level comes, I will not be a supporter of Naughty Girls Doughnuts.
Our town is a wonderful community. I have lived here my entire life. The schools are so much better than they were when I was in school. We come together in times of need. That is something that Tiana has lost sight of.