When Speaking Up Feels Hard — Do It Anyway. Your Community Needs You.

Thank you to Amy Leinbach, founder of Big Bee, Little Bee, fun, functional products for ecologically and economically conscious people of all ages, for sharing her experience with tariffs. Amy attended the Amazon/Enthuse Foundation Meetup in Austin on Thursday, April 24, 2025. The views expressed in this post are those of Amy and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Enthuse Foundation.  

Small businesses are more than just storefronts or websites—they are the heartbeat of our communities. They create jobs, solve problems, and give back in meaningful ways. At Big Bee, Little Bee, we have poured our passion into creating sustainable products that simplify family life. However, we, along with many other small business owners, are struggling for survival under the burden of tariffs. While it’s scary to speak out, remaining silent will not protect us, and the issue is larger than our fears.

Tariffs Are Hurting Some Communities

Recently, U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports surged to 145%, devastating small businesses that depend on global manufacturing to bring innovative products to life. Even a temporary reduction to 30% leaves us with $40,000–$50,000 in fees for a single order—money we cannot recoup because raising prices isn't an option. Consequently, we had to cancel a new product launch since we no longer have the funds to support it. Others are scaling back, laying off staff, or shutting down entirely.

This chaos forces us to make impossible choices and stretches every dollar to its limit. When small businesses collapse, it impacts local retailers, families, charities, and the communities that rely on them.

This Isn't Just Business. It's Personal.

When tariffs push customers toward big-box stores, small businesses lose not only revenue but also vital relationships within the greater supply chain, as well as connections between business owners and customers, and even between business owners and people worldwide. While we are dedicated to supporting initiatives that provide access to clean water in developing countries, our financial stability is waning, thus decreasing our ability to make an impact. Many people feel the effects deeply. But we are not here to go quietly.

A Path Forward

The Small Business Liberation Act, sponsored by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and co-sponsored by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), aims to prevent small business owners from paying import taxes on goods they receive from other countries. This Act would exempt small businesses from burdensome tariffs, allowing us to plan, grow, and contribute once again. It's not a handout; it's an opportunity to continue doing what we do best: serving our communities, creating jobs, and driving positive change.

In addition to learning more about the Act, here are suggestions and resources for fellow entrepreneurs and those seeking support.

1. Share Your Story. Main Street Alliance created a survey to assess the tariffs' impact on small businesses.

2. Utilize Social Media Platforms. I've posted my experience and situation on Instagram and TikTok. Use #supportsmallbusinesses in conversations to amplify the reach.

3. Contact Your Elected Officials. Reach out to your Senators, House Representative, and State Representative. Here are instructions:

   1. Find your representative/senators.

   2. Go to each of their websites and navigate to their contact page.

   3. Enter the requested information and paste this message: 'American small businesses suffer under excessively high tariffs. Many have relied on overseas manufacturing out of necessity, as U.S. infrastructure is insufficient. Without immediate changes, countless small businesses could be forced to shut down within 6–8 months. Please take action today and consider passing the Small Business Liberation Act.

4. Attend Industry Calls and Strategy Sessions. Casey Armstrong, Chief Marketing Officer of ShipBob, hosts weekly calls on the latest developments around tariffs. Also, SCORE, the nation's largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, with 10,000 volunteers serving all 50 U.S. states and territories, is a great resource, with webinars and mentors available for free. Additionally, sign up for StartupCPG's Slack Channel to be on the lookout for other conversations.

Bottom Line: We believe in standing up at Big Bee, Little Bee, especially when it's hard. The fight for small businesses is about more than products or profits. It's about people. It's about community. And it's about the belief that doing the right thing is worth the risk. Your voice matters. Use it not just for us, but for every small business fighting to keep dreams alive in your neighborhood and beyond.

Amy Leinbach founded Big Bee, Little Bee—a woman-owned, mom-and-daughter, self-funded business built on creativity, sustainability, and a desire to make everyday life easier and fun. Every patented, planet-friendly product from Big Bee, Little Bee is thoughtfully designed to simplify real-life tasks and reduce waste. Amy's most beloved product is the Marker Parker—an invention by her daughter Marlo. Beyond creating clever tools, Amy and Marlo are deeply committed to giving back. As a proud member of 1% for the Planet and a partner of Well Aware, Big Bee, Little Bee supports the development of lasting clean water systems in East Africa.