When the Global Trade War Hits Home
When I started Knight Light Candles, I never thought "tariffs" would be something I'd worry about. My focus was on creating clean burning, beautifully crafted candles that spread positivity and light into people's homes. But here we are in 2025, and with the recent surge in U.S.–China tariffs, even small handmade businesses like mine are feeling the ripple effects. If you're a fellow small business owner, product-based entrepreneur, or even just curious about how these global shifts affect everyday makers, I want to share my experience with you.
Important Note:
This article is not intended to be political. I respect everyone's views, no matter which side of the aisle you are on. This is simply a real-world look at how recent tariff changes are affecting my small candle business. My goal is to share my personal experience, the challenges I've faced, and how I'm adapting — without promoting or criticizing any political administration.
What Are Tariffs and Why Do They Matter?
Simply put, a tariff is a tax placed on goods imported from other countries. While it might sound like something only giant corporations worry about, tariffs trickle down to the smallest businesses too. If suppliers overseas are hit with higher import taxes, they often raise their prices to cover the cost. That means people like me—who rely on affordable, quality jars, lids, and labels—eventually pay more. The latest reports suggest tariffs on certain Chinese imports have risen as high as 245%. And while not every product is impacted, the categories include glassware, packaging, and printing materials—exactly the types of products critical to my candle business.
Why I Was Concerned for Knight Light Candles
Knight Light Candles relies on several key imported components:
- Glass jars for our candles
- Custom gold lids featuring our branding
- Gold-foiled labels that elevate our packaging
I typically order 300 jars at a time from a supplier overseas. Before the tariff changes, a full shipment—including shipping to my door—cost around $560, making each jar about $1.86. When I heard about the new tariff increases, I feared the worst. A 50% or 100% increase could have meant the end of Knight Light Candles as I know it. I could have been priced out of the market almost overnight.
Reaching Out to My Suppliers: The Moment of Truth
I decided to take immediate action. I sent a simple message to my two main suppliers: "Hello friend. I just wanted to inquire as to whether the whole tariff situation will affect any future orders to be sent to the US?" The response came quickly from my jar supplier: Yes, shipping costs would be increasing. The updated quote for my 300-jar order? $640.That’s about a 14.29% increase. Was I thrilled? No. But honestly, I was relieved. I had braced for something far worse. An $80 increase hurts—it’s money that could have gone toward wax, fragrance oils, or marketing. But it's manageable. It meant I could continue to offer my products without immediate, drastic changes. As for my label supplier? I'm still awaiting their update. And if their costs increase too, it could further impact my margins.
My Decision: Staying True to My Mission
After thinking it through, I made a decision: I’m not raising my prices—at least not right now. From day one, my goal has been to provide high-quality, clean-burning candles at a price that feels accessible. Candles are more than just decor—they're emotional experiences, and I want everyone to enjoy that experience without feeling priced out. Instead of raising prices, I'll absorb the 14% increase for now. I may have to scale back on some of the seasonal promotions and sales I ran last year to balance things out, but I'm committed to keeping Knight Light Candles affordable and true to its mission.
Preparing for the Future: Staying Agile
Just because I dodged a major cost spike this time doesn't mean I'm standing still. I'm keeping a close eye on the supply chain. I'm looking into backup suppliers, and I'm streamlining inventory management to be as lean as possible. If costs continue to rise, I’ll be ready to pivot—whether that means adjusting product lines, exploring more domestic suppliers, or launching limited-edition seasonal drops to manage inventory more strategically. Ultimately, I’m hopeful that the U.S. and China can reach a fair-trade agreement that helps stabilize prices—because when businesses of all sizes can work together, everyone wins.
Final Thoughts: Building Resilience in a Changing World
Running a small business today isn’t just about making products—it’s about adapting to a world that changes fast. Trade policies, supply chains, costs—they all impact us in ways that aren't always obvious. But here's what stays the same: the mission. At Knight Light Candles, it’s about spreading positivity, hope, and inspiration through every product we make—even when things get tough behind the scenes. If you want to see more real stories about growing a candle business from scratch, you can subscribe to my YouTube channel here and join our community. We share the good, the bad, and everything in between. Thank you for being part of this journey. And remember—even small lights shine bright in the dark.