Megan Hunt has two jobs — one as a Nebraska state senator and another as the owner of a small art and stationery shop called Shop Five Nine in Omaha. The brightly painted store is filled with racks of cards, notepads, and art supplies. Some days, you might even spot the store’s resident tabby cat lounging in the window.
"What I really like about this work is sourcing," Hunt told KETV News. "Finding makers and designers from all over the world who have something unique that maybe people in this neighborhood haven’t seen before."
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But in mid-April, she was stunned to receive a $1,108 tariff bill for goods she imported from Japan — far higher than the $70 to $100 she typically pays for imports.
"It’s so frustrating," she said.
"So many Nebraskans can relate to this — just when you start to get ahead — you get hit with a big bill."
How Hunt is handling the tariffs
Since Hunt placed her order, the tariff situation has shifted. President Donald Trump initially announced 24% tariffs on Japanese imports, but that figure was later reduced to 10% amid a temporary 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs.
Still, the timing meant Hunt’s order fell into the higher bracket.
"This tariff bill was not something I planned for," she told KETV reporters. "It’s a surprise."
Hunt said she doesn’t plan to raise prices. Instead, she’s leaning into selling more merchandise to offset the added expense.
"To me, it’s the cost of doing business," she said. "I expect to pay duties on things I import from other countries. But I’ve never seen anything like this before."
Despite the setback, Hunt remains optimistic about global trade.
"I think global trade is a great thing," she told KETV.
"I’ll always support American manufacturing. I will always support anything that supports jobs here at home, but we have to look bigger than that and realize there’s a lot of beautiful things in this world and we shouldn’t be deprived of those things."
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How to prepare your small business for tariffs
Tariffs can hit small businesses hard, and sudden shifts in trade policy only add to the challenge. Here are a few ways business owners can prepare for unpredictable tariff costs.
Adjust pricing, carefully
Raising prices can help cover increased costs, but it’s a balancing act. Higher prices can drive away customers, especially in competitive markets. Instead of blanket increases, consider small, strategic adjustments on select products where demand is strong.
Lean into marketing
Boosting marketing efforts can help grow your customer base and drive more sales — offsetting the pinch from higher costs. Focus on telling your brand story, highlighting unique products and building customer loyalty through email campaigns, social media promotions and in-store events.
Look for local sources, where possible
Sourcing products closer to home can reduce exposure to international tariffs. While not every product can be swapped for a domestic equivalent, even partial shifts in your inventory can soften the financial impact.
Get creative
Now might be the time to introduce new product lines, bundle items into themed gift baskets or experiment with subscription boxes to increase revenue. Innovation can not only drive sales but also keeps customers excited about your offerings. For example:
- A stationery store could offer curated ‘Mother’s Day Writing Kits.’
- A home goods shop might create ‘Seasonal Decor Bundles.’
- A specialty food store could build ‘Gourmet Snack Subscriptions.’
With trade negotiations in flux and tariffs changing quickly, it’s wise to build flexibility into your business plan. Watch trade news closely, talk to your suppliers about potential risks and consider setting aside a small financial cushion for unexpected import fees.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
