Windsor TikTok influencer boosts local bakery with viral video
Homegrown TikTok influencer Zachery Dereniowski is at it again, this time surprising the new owner of Nana’s Bakery in South Windsor with cash and a much-needed business boost.
Dereniowski, also known by his handle “MD Motivator” visited Nana’s Bakery on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. Dereniowski films his encounters with a hidden camera and often acts like he has no money to cover the cost of his purchases to see how the business owner or individual reacts.
In this case, Dereniowski introduced himself to bakery’s new owner, Ray Feng, and said “I’m going to be frank, I have no money,” to which Feng said: “No money at all? It’s okay, here you go,” before handing him a cookie.
“It’s doesn’t make me a lot richer, so that’s fine,” Feng said, also offering Dereniowski a coffee.
Dereniowski gleaned Ray is married with five children, and had just recently purchased the business in mid-December.
“I have to make it work… I have no choice, I’m fully committed now,” said Ray.
It was at that point that Dereniowski slipped Feng a folded up napkin stuffed with $1,000.
“Why?” Asked Ray, to which Dereniowski said, “because you were kind to me.”
“Oh my goodness, I can’t believe this,” Feng remarked.
It’s not just the cash. The video has been viewed more than 14 million times across all social media platforms in less than a day.
CTV Windsor caught up with the small business owner today to let him know since the video aired, he’s received nearly 4,000 five star Google reviews for his bakery, putting him at the top of the list for all restaurants in the region.
“Wow,” remarked Feng, laughing. “Yeah. I think I'll have to be a baker for a long time.”
Feng is taking the visit and resulting exposure as a sign that he needs to push ahead.
“You just got to do it. Just keep running, keep doing it,” he said. “This is definitely a confirmation that I'm on the right track.”
Dereniowski says he has a soft spot for small business because his father is also a small business owner.
“I feel like I have the lucky superpowers. I just don't want to waste it in every video I make. I want to be able to maximize it,” he said. “You don’t know what people are going through and your support can mean more than you know.”
The video ends with a message of hope and love.
“We need to love, we need to learn to love,” remarked Feng.
It’s a message Feng hopes will reach anyone who walks into his store to buy goods baked with love.
“I choose to love. It’s all by choice. You choose to love or you choose to hate,” Feng said. “It doesn’t happen naturally.”
“I’ve been practicing love for a long time.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.