Slaven expressed concerns about the safety implications of this policy.

Jessa’s Tea Parlor in Woodstock has cultivated a reputation for exceptional online reviews, boasting 4.8 stars on Google and 4.9 stars on Yelp.

Slaven remarked, “I fear that many individuals will gravitate towards negative reviews first.”

She expressed her desire to address any negative reviews promptly, such as a recent one-star review complaining of mistreatment concerning a service dog on the premises.

Slaven clarified the situation, stating, “We politely asked the customer to have her dog on her lap as it was on the table consuming food off our delicate China.”

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Although she promptly responded on Google, Slaven realized that she could only reply on Yelp if she included her personal picture and profile.

Expressing her concerns, Slaven emphasized, “Given that we are a small business managed entirely by women, including young staff, I feel there are safety implications.”

Yelp acknowledged their policy in a statement to Channel 2 Action News, mentioning, “In line with our mission to enhance connections between local businesses and consumers, we require business owners to have a profile photo to respond to reviews.”

Furthermore, they highlighted that instances of hostile remarks or negative feedback towards business owners responding to low-rated reviews are uncommon.

Elaborating on her concerns, Slaven shared, “In today’s world, one cannot predict what may occur. Revealing personal information and a photo could pose a risk.”

The business owner acknowledged the irony of sharing personal information while addressing this issue but felt compelled to advocate for other small businesses.

It was revealed that this policy specifically targets small businesses, as larger enterprises with over 10 locations are allowed to use logos instead of personal photos.

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