Tariffs Are Wild. Small Vegan Businesses Can Help. Here’s 9 To Support Right Now.

My TV news reporting days

I’ve tried to steer clear of talking about politics, as I want THIs blog to be a safe escape from the oversaturated and (lately scary) national news cycle.

I was a TV reporter for many years and know how much negative news can affect one’s psyche.

But, as a small business owner there have been a few news stories that I can’t ignore, as they will directly impact my business and our local economy.

Displaying our vegan wellness products at a Farmers Market

This includes the U.S. administration’s decision to move forward with tariffs on international goods. As someone who both handcrafts my products and works with a local team to produce them, this trade war will directly impact our business. 

In full transparency, some of the materials that I use to create my sleep masks are sourced internationally. That means a higher cost to access my materials and as a result, it will cost a lot more to make and sell our beautiful products. I’m doing a lot of research to minimize the impact. 

Sharing our bamboo sleep masks with customers

I am not alone. According to a survey in the WSJ, nearly two-thirds of small businesses said that tariffs and other trade issues would hurt their company. As a result, they fear they will NOT be able to survive the next two years.

Another rattle to consumer buying habits is in the realm of food safety. The FDA recently suspended dairy quality testing! (Reuters)

This raises HUGE concerns about food safety, especially for milk, yogurt, and cheese.

It also shines a bigger spotlight on the fact that plant-based, natural options are no longer simply a lifestyle choice. They are quickly becoming an essential way to safeguard our health.

Picking lettuce at Underwood Family Farms

The need to support small businesses, and especially plant-based and sustainable businesses is more crucial than ever. Here’s a few reasons why:

5 Reasons to Support Small Vegan Businesses:

1. Protect Your Health: With government oversight weakening, buying from small vegan producers often means you know exactly what's going into your food and wellness products. This is especially true if you buy from Farmers Markets. You can often talk to business owners directly and ask us about our ingredients. 

2. Boost Local Economies: Every dollar spent with a small business stays in the diverse community longer, creates jobs and fosters economic resilience. Every purchase supports a real person, local workers, and their families, not a random billionaire. 

3. Promote Sustainability: Small vegan businesses often prioritize eco-friendly practices and sustainable sourcing. This helps protect the planet.

4. Ensure Food Transparency & Honest Brand Values: Unlike big ‘ole corporations, local vegan businesses are usually much more transparent about ingredients and processes. We’re also often more upfront about our brand values and the causes we believe in.  

5. Stand for Ethical Food Systems: Choosing plant-based small businesses supports a food system that values health, humane treatment of animals, and responsible agriculture. 

Showcasing our handmade body butter

Where to Shop and Who to Support

Here’s a few independently owned plant-based businesses that you can support right now! Many of them are owned by amazing women colleagues who I’ve met at pop-ups and Farmers Markets throughout Los Angeles. They also ship nationwide.

1. Banane (follow here): Haitian snacks and treats, yes please! Their vegan take on classics like plantain chips and hibiscus tea are must-tries! They’re also available on DoorDash, UberEats, and GrubHub in L. A.

2.  De Tierra Madre (shop here): Grounded in tradition and sustainability, De Tierra Madre offers artisanal creations from Latin America designed to spruce up your home. Each piece is meticulously crafted with materials sourced from nature, made by local artisans from diverse regions of Mexico and various countries in Latin America 

3.  Zen Stax (shop here): You don’t have to go to a fancy breakfast spot to get gourmet pancakes. Make them at home with minimal ingredients. That’s where Zen Stax comes in. It’s a plant-based, superfood pancake batter. All you have to do is select your flavor and pour directly onto the skillet to make delish pancakes.   

4. Eramia (shop here) — A women’s clothing collection, specializing in loungewear, made with organic cotton, hemp, bamboo and recycled fabrics. They value ethical and sustainable sourcing.

Orange Butter Bakery

They create vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free desserts.

5. Orange Butter Bakery (shop here) — This small-batch bakery crafts irresistibly delicious gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, anti-inflammatory, low-glycemic, and protein-packed treats that taste every bit as decadent as your favorite cakes or muffins. You’d never guess that their vegan options are truly vegan.

6. Tin Tin Treasures (shop here) —Tin Tin Treasures' handmade pottery blends deep artistry with beauty and functionality, offering one-of-a-kind creations inspired by nature, community, and intentional living. Their homeware, dinnerware, home decor, and Judaica collections are great for family, personal use or gifting. 

7. The Organic Option (shop here) — Need supplements? The Organic Option is a father/son owned shop and has all natural, plant-based vitamins, tinctures, and cleanses.

8. Thyme for Honey: (shop here) The best granola I’ve ever tasted (no joke). It's yummy, chunky, and great for snacking. Thyme for Honey is minimally processed and made with ingredients like oats, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds. Their flavors include lavender blueberry granola and turkish coffee. 

9. And us~Mommafied (shop here) —We offer handcrafted plant-based bath, body, and sleep products, including our bamboo sleep masks and pillows, that help busy folks live healthier, more vibrant lives.

Vases by De Tierra Madre

Next time you need to restock your favorites, upgrade your self-care routine, or find the perfect gift, I hope that you shop small. Choose local. Go plant-based.

Thanks for reading! For more resources and good energy for busy moms who want to lead healthier lives: Follow me @getmommafied on Instagram, and subscribe to my monthly Mommafied Note.