A very informal and only basically informed conversation with myself about the plight of small businesses in the face of a global trade war

Naively perhaps, when I opened Minnie in October 2024, I didn’t expect (while perhaps there was some foreboding energy) that six months later we would be in the midst of a global trade war. I did not expect to be listening to my Apple Daily News podcast in the shower everyday anxiously and discussing with friends how the tariffs have impacted the store on regular afternoon calls on the way to pick up my son from school. I have never used the term “cash flow issues” so frequently and with such accuracy as it relates to my own life.

My 300 square foot boutique is full of beautiful things from around the world, mostly sourced from Europe, Canada and Japan, made by other small businesses that I am proud to support. They create the most unique toys, books, clothing, cuddly things, games, activities and so much more that make the children that come into my shop beam. Most of them even manage to do this in an eco-friendly and non-toxic way. And really, if you’ve seen any of my reels, you know that these tiny things — they make me smile and laugh too. I really love what I do and the magic of childhood is not lost on me, yet. This was always my dream.

The lack of magic in adulthood, however, is glaringly apparent. And, it’s clearer and clearer to me that small businesses can’t afford (these levels of) tariffs. The four thousand dollar order I placed four months ago that now is subject to a 25% tariff, seemingly out of the blue, will now cost me five — plus additional duties already imposed will make it six or closer to seven. One thousand here, one thousand there may seem like a small amount to pay to some but for me it is often a huge stretch.

I am stretching thinner and thinner to pay import taxes and need to somehow make it up. That’s when it gets passed onto you in the price of the things I sell. The people I want to make happy the most. But, this trickle down effect is rarely understood or appreciated. It’s not transparent — it just makes shops look a little bit like assholes out to take all of your money. There, I said it. But, I promise that’s not the case.

Some critics might ask, why import from Europe then? Buy American. The most ironic part of all is that the products I import from Europe and other countries abroad offer safer, more eco-friendly, non-toxic options with higher standards for children than our country imposes by a landslide. We aren’t making better products here and we are intentionally keeping them out or pricing them out of the market for most parents with small children. In my humble opinion, all families deserve to have access to safe, non-toxic toys and clothing, not just those that can place the highest bid.

I don’t really have any witty closing line or solution to propose other than to ask for your patience as I continue to try to grow or survive or just continuing being Minnie. It’s really an honor to be part of each of your children’s lives. Thank you for being part of this journey alongside me.