“Girl, the tariffs” has become a steady and viral internet refrain since early March, when Trump announced sweeping tariffs on imports from nearly every country across the globe – including an island whose sole inhabitants are penguins. While foreign governments try to keep up with the Trump administration’s tariff starts and pauses, many American businesses are left wondering what the tariffs will mean for them. We decided to check-in with female founders we’ve previously featured as part of our 1,000 Stories Project and asked them, “how are Trump’s economic policies affecting your business?”
Here’s what they told us.
Response are lightly edited for length and clarity.
Kanika Bakshi Khurana, founder of San Francisco interior design firm Kanika Design
“The recent policy changes to tariffs are definitely having an impact on our business operations. As an interior design firm, a major portion of our operations is sourcing, and many of our existing vendors have already implemented single-digit percentage price increases. While our business is still doing fine for now, changes in the economy might affect how our clients spend their money. We are also proactively reviewing and adjusting budgets for all existing projects to make sure our clients have clear visibility into the impact.”
Ashley Lands, co-founder of New York City-based travel business Provincial Leisure
“We work in travel and leisure, with a special focus on Italy and the U.S., and 2025 is already proving to be an exciting year. American travelers are more eager than ever to go abroad.
Interestingly, while inbound travel to the U.S. declined early in Trump’s first term due to immigration policy shifts, outbound travel, especially to destinations like Italy, remained strong. For our business, the momentum hasn’t stopped. Since the end of 2024, traffic has only continued to grow.”
Theresa Crichlow, founder of New York City honey business BeeFavored
“As a small, Black woman-owned business specializing in honey-based products, sourcing quality materials like jars and packaging has always been a delicate balance of cost, quality, and relationships.
Since the administration’s announcement regarding sweeping tariffs on over 90 countries, we’ve felt the pressure firsthand. While we strive to keep our prices accessible for our community, the rising costs in our supply chain—especially from overseas manufacturers—have made it nearly impossible not to consider modest price increases.
Still, we remain committed to sourcing responsibly, building strong relationships with our suppliers, and exploring domestic options where possible. Our faith, resilience, and the love of our customers in Harlem and beyond keep us moving forward, even through uncertain times.”
Margot Adams, co-founder of New York City sustainable fashion brand Luxeire
“We’ve prioritized domestic manufacturing from the start—even at a higher cost—to support local jobs, ensure quality, and produce responsibly. That puts us in a stronger position now. Unlike many brands, Luxeire won’t be heavily impacted by tariffs on overseas production, and we expect to hold pricing steady.
That said, no brand is fully insulated. We import our premium technical fabric from Italy, and tariffs—already over 10%—have long been factored into our pricing. If those increase, our margins could take a hit. It’s a tough reality: even U.S. manufacturing relies on a global supply chain, and international policy.
As for the new administration, it’s still early, but we’re watching closely. Tariff volatility and economic uncertainty impact consumer confidence—and that’s where Luxeire could feel it most. When spending tightens, even thoughtfully made investment pieces can take a back seat. We’re staying focused on delivering value, maintaining quality, and adapting as needed.”