Judy Wang | Galesburg, Illinois

“I am Judy. I have café. Come for breakfast.” Judy Wang’s words ring out from her social media videos and are viewed by millions around the world. Called a social media sensation by the New York Times, her story also includes a lot of hard work. Judy was born in China and moved to Galesburg in 2017 to work at a Chinese buffet. Then, after a time waitressing at an American breakfast restaurant, she launched Judy’s Family Café to support her family. As owner and manager, Judy also helps in the kitchen and is the face of the restaurant and, in a way, all of Galesburg.

Judy did not instantly leap into social media stardom. Her early efforts highlighted the food but garnered little engagement. So Judy pivoted to funny, short videos and they took off, going viral on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok at the same time. With the help of Victor Dantas of Clear Profits Digital Marketing, Judy has almost 240,000 social media followers and videos with millions of views (and climbing). She has been featured in the New York Times, WGN-TV and the Morning Brew. Because of her outreach efforts, about 50% of her business now comes from outside the Galesburg community, including places as far away as New York, California, Tennessee and South Dakota.

Wang’s success has impacted her whole community. Maeve Reilly writes, “Her employees are long-term, value her leadership and claim she is a very caring person. She has helped many people, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Her restaurant donated food and money to local hospitals and the police department and some local churches. She has assisted people who lost their home due to a fire.” David Racke, whose mom lived near Judy’s Family Café, posted online, “When my mom became too old to walk over to Judy’s, Judy would personally walk her meals to her house. She’d even stay and chat for several minutes. That’s the kind of person Judy is.”

While Judy’s social media numbers are astounding, it’s the smallest numbers that really count—the two children, Linda (15) and Hao (8) whom she supports through her work. She’s also involved in their schools through contributions and providing incentives for kids to attend school.