Trump’s tariff will hit your small business hard

This exciting article depends on the conversation with Beth Pratt, a 29 -year -old baker and ownership of small business from Denver. It was released for length and clarity.

I am a classic trained pastry, and I previously worked in a restaurant group. But at some point in the past five years, I realized that I hated my job. I am tired of working for others.

Tiktok started, and my content went in the first month. I posted a video last May The question about whether people will buy my cookies, and the response was very yes.

I launched this work in December. I sell cookies by half a scale, with five basic flavors and one seasonal season. A regular fund costs $ 27, and sells about 3000 profiles per month.

All cookies have enjoyable names, such as “Snarky Snickerdoodle,” Chocolate Fuckin ‘Chip “and” oats, raisins “.

Eggs and chocolate have hit me very expensive

The first blow to my work was the high prices of eggs and chocolate. In December, the eggs that I bought were less than $ 100 for the case of 180, but in mid -February, it was $ 145 for this same condition.

I have seen chocolate prices rising 60 % since December. This means the high price of my components, too. The component costs increased from 18.5 % of the total cost to about 23 % in February, which is a huge for a small company like Lee.

Trump’s tariff made everything feel like a free fall. A 100 % opportunity will be affected by its definitions on China.

I am the source of my cookie bags from a company called Pouch.me, which is based in Shanghai. I love them because they are well dedicated and good quality.

It is also more affordable than I can get in the United States – I ask 12 to 14 different designs than Pouch.me at one time, and cost 52 cents when I bought 3000 bags in one case. Recently, I bought more than 6000 bags at a price of 38 cents each.

I sent them e -mail two days ago asking about the customs tariff, and they said that there is currently no change in prices at their end, but I must be aware of the increase in the prices that will come.

After starting the definitions, I tried to look at other suppliers in the United States. I have found that these suppliers in the United States are accustomed to working with major companies, but they are not good in working with small companies like Lee.

Prices of prices were cheaper than a company that received $ 1.02 per bag, with the minimum arrangement of 6000 bags per design. It was far from the price range.

I made another request for a minimum value of $ 10,000, and I could not adhere to this like this.

A lot of uncertainty at work

I thought about storing in a big arrangement of pouch.me to be covered during the next two months, but I am hesitant – I don’t know what the impact of the definitions.

Maybe I will regret not doing a big request. Everything is in the air now.

I want to keep the same quality that I am proud of, but I am worried. What happens if the prices of eggs rise again? What happens if chocolate prices are weak?

I am concerned that if prices rise significantly, I will not be able to do this and I will have to turn into cheaper alternatives.

People in Tiktok and Instagram were supportive when I said that the prices of cookies are rising.

But I don’t think I will do it. It is just a mistake. I prefer to find another way to not transfer this price to the customer.

But we will see. Maybe I will eat my words.