Tariffs, Delays & Burnout

The ecommerce world feels chaotic right now. We’re never saying it didn’t — but it feels especially messy thanks to that which we shall not name potentially eating into your already thin margins.

Everyone said entrepreneurship was hard, but now you’re dealing with rising costs, shifting tariffs, inconsistent ad performance, and maybe even wondering if your next launch will land like you want it to.

And yet... you're still here. Still building. Still dreaming up new products and trying to make it work.

That’s worth pausing to celebrate. Really.

But if you're feeling stuck — spinning in circles trying to fix the things you can't control — it might be time to shift your energy somewhere more impactful.

What you can’t control (but feels like you should)

Let's start with the obvious. You can't change:

• Tariff increases: They're happening, they're frustrating, and they're impacting your bottom line.
  
  
  

• Ad algorithm weirdness: One day your ads are crushing it, the next they're costing double for half the results. And now Zuck wants you to do everything on one platform?
  
  
  

• Slower shipping or fulfillment delays: Supply chains are still unpredictable, but now you wonder whether your fair trade organic farmers can still supply your key ingredients.
  
  
  

• Rising acquisition costs: Getting new customers keeps getting more expensive.
  
  
  

• Inventory issues from halfway around the world: Should you or shouldn’t you hold out on new stock until the market stabilizes?

Those things are real — and stressful.

I see you calculating margins at midnight. Wondering how to explain your price increases without sounding like a sob story.

But pouring all your energy into reacting won't move the needle as much as you hope.

Instead, this might be the season to pause and pour back into the parts of your brand that actually compound.

What you can control (and why it matters more)

With all this uncertainty, now is a good time to reassess your strengths and pour your energy into the things that give you staying power.

I’m talking about going back to your roots and dialing in on what makes your brand feel real — what makes people choose you.

Here’s where to focus your energy on building a brand experience that resonates, connects, and quietly sells:

• The voice and vibe of your brand: How you make people feel when they interact with you
  
  
  

• How your website flows and functions: The journey from “ooh, interesting” to “add to cart”
  
  
  

• What happens after someone joins your email list: The relationship you build beyond that first hello
  
  
  

• Whether a potential customer feels something: Can you spark trust or connection from the very start?

I worked with a B2B brand that wanted to bring a more human touch to its marketing. They leaned into their superpowers: making personal connections with their customers. Knowing that email marketing could be a powerful channel to help them foster these relationships, we built out a series of personality-filled email flows in Klaviyo.

These emails spoke like a human–not a soulless B2B robot. They matched their visual vibes. And they covered all the right things to keep the conversations coming, far beyond the first interaction.

This is how smart brands are leaning in to keep those connections fresh and flowing and to make opportunities for growth, even when other things are outside their control.

Start simple. Start now.

You don't have to overhaul everything at once. You just have to start building the kind of experience that invites connection and trust.

That might look like:

• Simplifying your homepage — focusing on one clear action you want visitors to take
  
  
  

• Writing clearer product descriptions — that address real concerns about quality and value
  
  
  

• Sending a welcome email that actually welcomes people — not just sells to them
  
  
  

• Auditing your site like a customer, not a founder — noticing where things get confusing or disconnected
  
  
  

These are the details that compound.

They’re what set you apart in a world where everyone’s shouting about tariffs, launches, and “limited time only” chaos.

Need help figuring out where to start?

I offer free video website audits — a short, personalized walkthrough where I show you what’s working, what’s confusing, and what might be quietly costing you sales.

If you're ready to grow (but not sure how to get unstuck), let's start there.

I’ll help you spot quick wins and longer-term opportunities — so you can build a brand that’s not just surviving right now, but set up to thrive in the long run.

🎥 [Apply for your free website audit here →]
Let’s build something clear, confident, and made to last — even in a weird season.

Even if you're still figuring out the bigger picture, showing up with personality and a plan will take you farther than trying to do it all perfectly.