Times are scary for many in the US right now. Small businesses are one group that are being severely impacted by Trump's policies.
You might not realize that the Trump tariff bills are being sent directly to small businesses as their responsibility to pay if you aren't a small business owner or you don't follow them online.
For some perspective...
I placed a pin order with one of my Chinese manufacturers two months ago for 200 custom pins for a client's wedding. I've already paid for the manufacturing, shipping, and charged my design fee. The tariffs were not in place when I ordered these pins, but now they are on their way to me and I will likely get a bill for 145% of what I have already paid.
This is not sustainable for small businesses, who "account for 44% of US GDP and employ nearly half the workforce." as the New York Post notes.
When I started Aviate Press, I didn't know the ins and outs of manufacturing, but over the years I've learned what products I can afford to produce in the US and which ones are primarily made in China. Most of my products are made here in the US, but many components of the finished product (like plastic sleeves) come from China.
I work my hardest to find US based manufacturers...
but as a small business I typically don't meet the order qualifications to get affordable prices. I also take time to vet my manufacturers (US and otherwise), testing out the quality of their products before adding them to my line. There are also manufacturers I no longer work with, such as Sticker Mule, because of their support of Trump.
I also want to be clear...
I love my manufacturers overseas and they have been great to work with. There is nothing wrong with using Chinese manufacturers and our global economy has been operating this way for decades.
So what does this mean for the future of small businesses, like mine?
Products in our line such as pins, washi tape, and sticky notes will likely not be restocked until the tariffs are lifted. Prices on virtually every other product in our line will likely increase due to components of our products that come from China. Larger businesses with deeper pockets may be able to weather the storm, but many small businesses will be forced to close.
What can you do?
Small businesses are resilient, creative people who have made it through many challenges over the last decade, but many of us cannot survive these tariffs without your help. If you can, please make an effort to shop small and share our voices with your community. We are all in this together!
