Make Me Smart One wild year of Trump's tariffs
Apr 2, 2026
Will Sissel, co-owner of Sissel & Daughters, a Maine cheesemonger navigating import shifts; Justine Kahn, founder of Botnia Skincare, who makes organic products and supplies spas nationwide. They discuss how tariffs pushed up costs for packaging and ingredients. They talk sourcing alternatives, pricing and promotions, supplier relationships, and the lingering uncertainty after legal rulings.
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Values Based Maker Still Hit by Input Tariffs
- Justine Kahn makes 100% of Botnia Skincare in-house but still got hit by tariffs on inputs like aluminum and essential oils.
- She paid tens of thousands extra as $10,000 orders turned into $15,000 and is rethinking sustainable aluminum packaging because that tariff likely stands.
Reevaluate Packaging Origins Immediately
- Do reassess packaging suppliers and origins when tariffs change because country of manufacture determines exposure.
- Justine went to a packaging show to ask vendors which countries make their materials before switching away from aluminum.
Small Owners Absorb Tariff Pain To Preserve Growth
- Justine said she and other small business owners have been absorbing costs instead of raising prices, which squeezes growth and owner pay.
- She communicated changes to customers and retained enough trust that purchases continued despite higher costs.