Tariffs didn't kill your business

Yo listen…

Stop bitching about tariffs.

It’s not the tariffs that are killing your margins… your laziness is. 

Every few years, the same story plays out.

New tariffs hit, and founders act blindsided.

This sh*t isn't all that random.

You knew it was coming, you just didn't bother to prepare.

Most brands never revisit their COGs, supplier rates, or import classifications.

Then when policy shifts, they panic like it's some unavoidable disaster.

We ran into the same issue at Swoveralls.

Spent half a day reviewing import categories, made one change, and saved 1000s in duties.

Half. A. Day.

That's the difference between actually managing your business and just guessing.

Oh and here's what TOTALLY kills me:

People act like these tariffs are surprise tax bills that show up after you've already ordered.

They're not, buddy.

You know about tariffs BEFORE you place orders.

You can mitigate them, you can find different suppliers, you can adjust import classifications, you can change timing.

It just takes a little bit of legwork.

But hey, I guess nobody wants to do that.

They'd rather complain on X about how unfair it all is.

At some point, you have to ask yourself…

“Are you running a business or just phoning it in?”

If you're paying 15% more because you never checked costs in three years, that's on you.

Control what you can, and plan for what you can't.

Founders who stocked up for Q4 aren't complaining, only the unprepared are panicking.

Tariffs force you to look at numbers that matter.

Come and fight me in a reply to this email, would love to hear your opinion ;)

Jackson