Podcast Feature: The Chad and Cheese Podcast: Tariffs: Small Business Impacts

​In the recent episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, titled “Tariffs: Small Business Impacts,” hosts Joel Cheesman and Chad Sowash engage in a candid discussion with Beth Benike, CEO of Busy Baby, about the profound challenges her company faces due to escalating tariffs. Busy Baby, known for its innovative silicone placemats designed to keep babies' items off the floor, is grappling with a $230,000 tariff bill that threatens its operations. ​

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Key Points Discussed:

• Manufacturing Constraints: Beth explains that while silicone, the primary material for her products, is abundant in the U.S., it's not mined domestically. Additionally, U.S. factories often require large minimum orders, making it unfeasible for small businesses like hers to manufacture locally.

• Tariff Implications: The recent tariff hikes have significantly increased production costs. For instance, importing essential machinery from China now incurs a 145% tariff, making it financially untenable.

• Supply Chain Disruptions: The tariffs have led to inventory shortages, especially during critical sales periods like Christmas, and have strained relationships with major retailers such as Walmart.​

• Broader Impact on Small Businesses: Beth's experience underscores a larger issue where small businesses, lacking the resources of larger corporations, struggle to adapt to sudden policy changes, leading to potential closures and economic downturns in local communities. ​

  
  

This episode sheds light on the real-world consequences of trade policies on small enterprises, emphasizing the need for more supportive measures to ensure their sustainability.​

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