Iowa Small Businesses Have Had Enough With Tariffs

Iowa’s economy is built upon the backs of small businesses. Just a few months ago, we were optimistic about our future. But now, tariffs have brought uncertainty into our business plan.

Our business, Faust Institute of Cosmetology, relies on imports. Like many cosmetology schools, the products we sell to our customers and use to teach our students come from overseas. Without beauty imports, our industry will be significantly impacted. Tariffs have made it impossible to predict costs, and they’ve disrupted our supply chain, which has left us wondering how our business will be impacted in the long term.

We don’t want to hike tuition on our students or raise prices on our customers, but we’re worried about how we’re going to absorb higher costs. A cruel reality in the back of our minds is the worst-case scenario – being forced to shut our doors because we inevitably can’t keep up.

Tariffs are a tax, and they hurt small businesses. Prices are already skyrocketing for basic household goods, and tariffs could cost Iowa families thousands more dollars per year. That could mean cutting back on spending for things like beauty products.

Senator Grassley gets it. We’re thankful he’s introduced a bill to put Congress back in the driver’s seat when it comes to tariffs. Congress should have a say in when and how tariffs are implemented, especially when the future of small business is at stake. We hope Senator Ernst and the rest of the Iowa Congressional delegation stand in support.

Iowa small businesses need a champion. Our representatives in Washington must keep us in mind and say enough is enough with tariffs.

Justin & Lynnae Latham, Owners and Operators of Faust Institute of Cosmetology in Spirit Lake, IA