Are you a small business owner who took a hit from IEEPA tariffs? Do you want to defend the rules that protect our ability to do business? Let’s get in touch. integritymatters.org/letsdothis
!["[Tariff-related] production slowdowns led to a 25% loss in sales during the affected period. For a small business operating with tight margins, this was not a theoretical impact. It meant missed revenue, disrupted customer relationships, and delayed hiring and investment."
Orleatha Smith, Co-Founder & CEO
Sip Herbals
Gresham, OR](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:krxpis4mbyhaohy6nejrcmy7/bafkreihms3bnvemleu3yso5jvtf3u54gvacp5zsagqxyc5uqukpavdkmia)
"[Tariff-related] production slowdowns led to a 25% loss in sales during the affected period. For a small business operating with tight margins, this was not a theoretical impact. It meant missed revenue, disrupted customer relationships, and delayed hiring and investment." Orleatha Smith, Co-Founder & CEO Sip Herbals Gresham, OR
"The lack of transparency makes it nearly impossible to explain to customers while we absorb the hit. We can’t simply raise prices to cover these increases, and every additional price increase squeezes our ability to keep staff employed, invest in the vineyard, and remain viable." Jill Osur, President & CEO Teneral Cellars Inc. Sacramento, CA
"We are no longer able to source wine juice from South Africa, which has reduced product variety and flexibility. Our glass supply chain has increased by 17%, and wine juices sourced from Chile have increased by 5.5%. These cost increases are significant for a business of our size and cannot be easily absorbed." Shakia Williams, Owner & Winemaker Cyrenity Sips Winery Hatboro, PA
"Our business began to grow, until new tariffs hit and turned our economics upside down overnight. Suddenly, a garment that costs about $50 to produce faced an additional $73 in tariffs, pushing our cost to $123; to stay in business we’d have to charge around $250, which is simply beyond what our customers will pay." Lynne Fletcher O’Brien, Founder Line in the Sand McLean, VA
Under IEEPA tariffs, small business owners like Orleatha Smith, @jillosur.bsky.social, Shakia Williams, and Lynne Fletcher O’Brien saw their bottom lines shredded and their business planning sent into chaos.
It’s time they get their money back through a fair and transparent process.
"It's taken a physical toll, it's taken an emotional toll, it's been a huge drain on resources. It feels like we're being crippled. Our government is working against U.S. businesses."
- Cassie Abel of Wild Rye, an outdoor clothing company in Idaho
@reason.com
Small business owners: Has Trump's immigration crackdown impacted your business? If so, the New York Times wants to know.
Share your story here 👇
@shaneball.bsky.social and @kclausing.bsky.social argue that Trump's replacement tariffs are even more likely to promote the pay to play system that disadvantages small businesses like ours.
It's time for Congress to take its Constitutional authority back.
Anthropic refused to cave to Pentagon bullying. OpenAI backed it up. For businesses big and small, there’s more power in standing together — even with your competitors.
Four actions anyone can take to preserve democracy from @audreyroofeh.bsky.social:
💬 Talk to the people you disagree with in your life
🗳️ Defend free and fair elections this November
📱 Record ICE/CBP activity
🏘️ Know and protect your neighbors.
@principlesfirst.bsky.social
This is happening TODAY! We hope you can make it.
ICYMI: When the Court heard the President's tariff arguments, Ben Raderstorf spoke with Protect Democracy’s Ori Lev and Audrey Roofeh of @integrity-mttrs.bsky.social to break down the law and the real world impacts of the tariffs. Watch the discussion here: https://protdem.org/3ZQ862z
Wondering what happens now that the Supreme Court has ruled against tariffs? On 2/26 @12pm ET, bring your questions to International trade law expert Amadi Anene. We hope to see you there!
➡️ Register today: tinyurl.com/5n8yctvh
As we know from Minnesota and beyond, it's bad for business (not to mention our Constitutional rights) when masked, unaccountable federal agents rampage around town and abduct our immigrant neighbors. This is a massive win for Merrimack and surrounding communities.
Our Executive Director, @audreyroofeh.bsky.social, joined Love Rutledge of the FedUpward podcast to chat about how a new federal rule change may increase businesses’ compliance burdens by requiring businesses to register as lobbyists simply for routine communications with federal employees.
Last week, the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s tariffs. For Lisa Mullan of Uwila Warrior, tariffs led to curtailed hiring, interrupted production, unnecessary expenses, and unsustainable margins. Small business owners will need a remedy. They'll also need clear, stable policy.
new Post poll: Trump's tariffs are 64% disapprove, 34% approve
seen on Fox Business
⚖️ Big win for small businesses & the rule of law! The Supreme Court ruled today that Trump’s tariffs are UNCONSTITUTIONAL. It’s great to see our system of checks & balances function as intended. Integrity Matters Executive Director @audreyroofeh.bsky.social was present when the decision came down.
Are you a small business owner getting walloped by tariffs? We're collecting receipts. Share yours here:
@scottlincicome.bsky.social and Nathan Miller of @cato.org examined seven recent studies investigating who pays for Trump's tariffs.
All seven find what we'd expect. We're paying.
"Criminals and government officials are barely hiding their schemes, and their brazenness is meant to make us feel helpless, to think that nothing can be done. That is false. We already have the legal tools to fight corruption. We just need to use them."
- @brendanballou.bsky.social
Quote from Frank Knapp, President of the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce: "The public enforcement that creates chaos and hurts small businesses is not only unacceptable, but it's not necessary. It's intentional on their part, and that's why it's unacceptable."
South Carolina small businesses are reeling from immigration raids. When ICE secured office space at the heart of a thriving commercial district in Columbia, Frank Knapp of @scsbcc.bsky.social told reporters that an increased ICE presence will only make it more difficult to do business.
THIS WEEK: Join us on Thurs., 2/19 @12pm ET for a virtual small business owner get-together to discuss how we can combat the threats to democracy and fair competition that hurt you and your business!
➡️ RSVP: tinyurl.com/ydt2vxnn
“We want ICE to respect our small businesses and our law-abiding citizens,” [Frank] Knapp [chair of the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce] said. “The public enforcement that creates chaos and hurts small businesses is not only unacceptable, but it’s not necessary."
Minneapolis businesses lost thousands of dollars per day during the ICE surge. The city estimates it's lost $10 million to $20 million in revenue each week. Recovery will take months.
Small businesses operate on tight margins. We can't afford abusive immigration enforcement.
"As fiscal officers, we cannot ignore the economic damage that will flow directly from that fear. When people do not feel safe to work, to operate businesses, or to participate in daily economic life, our economies suffer."
If your business routinely communicates with federal officials on contracts, grants, regulatory issues, enforcement, or trade policy, you may need to register as a lobbyist as a result of this rule change.
These new compliance costs will put small businesses at a disadvantage.
If you're a small business owner, you have a unique role to play in defending democracy. Our own Audrey Roofeh and @annalovesvoting.bsky.social of @protectdemocracy.org highlight how below 👇
🎤 Taking action? We’d love to hear from you! Share a short video with your name, your business, and how you’re standing up for your community here: tinyurl.com/4mk6r7ad
Today, small business owners around the country are standing in solidarity with the Twin Cities. Small business owners are choosing how to participate based on their individual needs. Some businesses will close for the day. Others will be staying open and donating profits or hosting community events
