When my mom and I bought Ecobuns Baby + Co. in 2013, we had two things: a dream to help families, and a tiny budget to make it happen. Since then, we’ve grown from a little cloth diaper shop into a toy and baby boutique filled with handpicked, eco-conscious products for families across West Michigan and beyond.
But running a small business today feels a lot like parenting during a growth spurt—just when you think you’ve caught up, something new hits. Lately, one of the biggest challenges we’ve been facing is tariffs.
So, let’s break it down:
What even are tariffs?
Tariffs are basically taxes on imported goods. When a product is made in another country and shipped to the U.S., the government can place a fee on it. That fee gets passed down—first to importers, then to retailers like us, and finally to customers.
How does that affect Ecobuns?
We source many of our toys and baby items from thoughtful, international companies—brands that prioritize non-toxic materials, ethical labor, and high-quality play. But when tariffs go up (some as high as 25%–145%), the cost of bringing those items into our shop skyrockets.
Here’s what that means in real life:
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That adorable $24.99 wooden toy you saw last year might be $34.99 now.
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We have to rethink which items we can afford to carry—some favorites simply aren’t possible to restock.
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We’re working extra hard behind the scenes to absorb some of the cost increases so prices stay reasonable for families like yours.
We’re not Amazon. We’re better.
When you shop at Ecobuns, you’re not just clicking a button and hoping for fast shipping. You’re getting personalized toy suggestions, gifts that are wrapped with care, and a place where your kids can actually play while you shop. You’re supporting a team of real people who know your name and remember your baby's birthday.
So what can you do?
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Keep shopping small—even when prices shift
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Share your favorite finds with friends
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Choose local or indie shops over big-box giants when possible
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Tell your kiddos where their toys come from—it helps them grow up understanding the value of thoughtful choices
Tariffs might be out of our control, but how we support each other isn’t.
Thanks for sticking with us, through the price hikes, the snowstorms, the shipping delays, and all the beautiful chaos of parenting. You make this whole small business dream possible.
With love and gratitude,
Marissa + the Ecobuns team