Amanda Suárez Evans possesses Suárez soap companyA small company that grew from a hobby.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s also very happy,” Evans said. “I love each part of the process.”
Part of that process means that even the manufacture of soap is affected by tariffs.
“Cocoa butter and karité butter are imported from Africa,” Evans said. “Olive oil comes from everywhere, but especially from the Mediterranean area.”
That impact is why she signed the Dallas Market CenterS stand with main street online request.
Dallas Market’s Senior Marketing Vice President, Cole Daugherty, explained what they are looking for.
“We are asking for a 90 -day pause in tariffs to allow goods free flow to reach the retailers from all over the country, especially toy items and Christmas decorations that are seasonal,” said Daugherty.
This would allow companies to obtain products abroad, a reasonable price and in stores in time for vacations.
“This affects me as the owner of a small business, and I think it is beneficial when we can speak as one, as a community, in things that affect us,” Evans said.
Within Dallas Market Center, Scott Twesme is another owner of a business that signed the petition.
He said that his Christmas decoration business has a window of approximately six weeks to make crucial decisions about their orders that are waiting.
“I want the president to end this negotiation of rates and with all countries, but especially for me, selfishly, [it’s] China, “said Scott Twesme, president of Direct export. “The sooner we do it, the more chances we have to maintain our business.”
If companies cannot continue, that affects employees.
“From there, it can affect the jobs,” Daugherty said. “One in five jobs in the United States is backed by retail trade. This is a big business.”
All those who register to be with Main Street expect their message to be heard.
“It was an impressively big list,” Evans said. “I think there is a lot of anxiety among small businesses, and this is a way in which we can express our thoughts.”