Ruben Trujillo, owner of Cafe Emporos in Goodyear, told the city's Inside Goodyear podcast that a 59‑second TikTok video he posted during the pandemic led to a viral surge in orders.
"So the total that that video brought in was $25,000," Trujillo said on the show, describing how he used business training from the city's Innovation Hub—covering accounting, finance and social‑media marketing—to convert viral interest into a sustainable operation. Trujillo said he quickly shifted to a business account, processed the incoming orders and used lessons from the Innovation Hub to set systems for fulfillment and customer service.
Hosts framed the story as an example of how city programs and social platforms can help small businesses grow. The episode did not include financial documents or independent verification of the exact dollar amount; Trujillo's account was presented as his firsthand description of his business trajectory.