Why Shopping Local Matters (Especially With Tariffs in the Mix)

"Shop small!" "Support local!" – I bet you've seen these phrases everywhere lately, including from us! You probably get that spending locally is good for the community, or maybe you just love supporting independent entrepreneurs. And with all the tariff talk lately, I've been getting questions about how these trade policies actually impact small businesses like ours. Let me break it down for you.

The Reality of The Global Supply Chain

Here's the thing – the modern economy is one giant web of materials and goods constantly crossing borders. Take coffee, for instance. Most of what we consume in the U.S. comes from Brazil and Colombia because, simply, the terrain and climate in the U.S. just can't grow coffee at scale. Same goes for bamboo – about 80% comes from Asia, with China producing nearly 60% of the world's supply. It makes sense that a thriving industry making bamboo products would develop in that part of the world vs. here in the United States.

Even locally hand-crafted products can't escape this reality. Take a popular ingredient like lavender oil – found in handmade soaps, oils, creams and more – is probably from Bulgaria or France. Sure, we have lavender farms here, but they're small operations that can't meet the massive domestic demand.

The bottom line: whether it's body soap or bamboo brushes, almost everything contains ingredients or raw materials from other countries.

How Tariffs Hit Small Businesses Hard

This brings us to tariffs – those import taxes that have been headline news for months. Here's what actually happens: when the US government slaps tariffs on imported goods, US companies pay those extra costs. Then those costs trickle down through the supply chain – from importer to wholesaler to retailers like us.

As a small business that doesn't have large profits, these extra costs are brutal. If we absorbed all the tariff increases, we'd go under – it's really that simple. So we have to pass some of those costs on to you through higher prices.

But here's my promise: we'll never price-gouge or jack up prices just to boost profits like some big corporations have done. Making sustainable living financially accessible is one of our core values, so we'll only raise prices when absolutely necessary to keep our doors open – and we'll always be transparent about why.

Why Your Local Dollar Still Packs a Punch

You might wonder: if everything has global components anyway, why choose the neighborhood store over the big box retailer?

Even in our interconnected world, small businesses are the heartbeat of local communities. Consider this: about $50 of every $100 spent at small businesses circulates in the local economy, compared to only $15 for large companies. Small business owners live in your communities and tend to spend and invest locally. Big corporations? They're distributing profits to upper management and shareholders who aren’t personally interested in building and improving your local economy.

Small businesses also hire quicker, fire slower, and bring a diversity of industries to local economies. And despite all the attention big corporations get, small businesses have actually driven 61% of private sector job growth since 1995.

The Bottom Line: Every Purchase Matters

Believe me when I tell you, every dollar you choose to spend with a small business has an outsized impact. Our little store truly depends on wonderful customers who choose day in and day out to support us over the convenience of big box stores. And I get that small businesses sometimes cost more, but you don't have to go local 100% of the time. Even occasional swaps make a huge difference:

• Hit up the farmers market once a month instead of the grocery chain
• Give your local bookstore a shot before ordering online
• Grab coffee from that independent café instead of Starbucks occasionally
• Check out local thrift stores before hitting the mall for clothes
• Try that family-owned restaurant you’ve been curious about instead of the usual chain

Those choices might seem small to you, but they're everything to businesses like ours. In a world where tariffs are making it tougher for small businesses to survive, your support isn't just appreciated – it's what keeps our doors open and our communities thriving.

Written by a human, edited by AI