The current trade tariffs are dramatically affecting pricing, sourcing, and profitability for craft businesses—especially those importing raw materials or selling finished goods to international markets.
In this panel discussion, we’ll unpack the current trade landscape, explain the tariff landscape, and highlight strategies for mitigating risk while uncovering new opportunities. Whether you’re a small maker, retailer, or supplier, you’ll leave with actionable insights to navigate this complex and ever-changing issue.
Key takeaways:
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Understand how trade tariffs impact costs, supply chains, and customer pricing in the craft sector.
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Learn strategies to minimize tariff-related risks, including sourcing alternatives and contract negotiation.
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Discover opportunities to differentiate your business by leveraging domestic production or niche markets if possible.
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Get tips for staying informed on evolving trade policies and advocating for your business interests.
This session is open to everyone in the crafts industry and is free to attend.
Monday, September 29 at noon Eastern/ 9:00 am Pacific
Meet the Panelists:
Gina Pantastico, Co-founder of Cloud9 Fabrics
Gina Pantastico is one of the founders of Cloud9 Fabrics, the leading source of organic cotton and sustainable fabrics for the home sewing enthusiast since 2009. She currently serves as their Director of Operations and is responsible for handling all aspects of the company’s sourcing, production, and sales. Before this Gina spent over 18 years in the fashion industry focusing on production, sourcing, and vendor-related issues on a global scale. Throughout her career, Gina directed the production and sourcing for several major companies and has traveled extensively worldwide conducting business with her trading partners.
Abe Orgel, CEO of Simple Forwarding
Think of Simple Forwarding as your partner in the shipping world. They’re great at smoothing out those kinks in your supply chain so that everything runs like clockwork. Simple Forwarding is more than just a freight forwarding service; they’re an extension of your business, dedicated to fueling your growth with smart, efficient logistics. Their commitment is straightforward: ensuring your inventory arrives when and where you need it.
Our passion for problem-solving drives us to find innovative solutions to fit your business. We thrive on the unique and the challenging, finding excitement in every unusual shipment and uncharted path. It’s not just about delivering goods; it’s about delivering possibilities.
Courtney Kelley, Owner and Founder of Kelbourne Woolens
Kelbourne Woolens was founded in 2008 by friends Courtney Kelley and Kate Gagnon Osborn.Kate and Courtney met while working in a local yarn store in Philadelphia, PA; Courtney was a new mom and Kate was in her final year of grad school. Together they founded Kelbourne Woolens at Kate’s kitchen table, and have been working side by side ever since.
They operated in the beginning as a sole distribution company, working closely with other brands to make their products great. As part of this strategy, Kate and Courtney were also designing knitting patterns for the yarns they distributed. Designing and publishing knitting and crochet patterns was Kate and Courtney’s first true love, and something they excelled at.
Kelbourne Woolens had success with their pattern line, but were always designing in someone else’s yarn. That all changed in 2017 when they poured their years of experience into their own line of Kelbourne Woolens-branded yarns.
Aamir Thobhani, CEO of InnoTex Solutions and Collaborations
Aamir Thobhani is the brains and passion behind InnoTex Solutions & Collaborations Inc. He moved to Toronto with a decade worth of experience from the textile hub in Karachi, Pakistan. There, he developed an understanding of local capabilities in developing home textile products to mass retailers around the world, including Walmart, Target, Primark, ARGOS, TESCO, and NEXT UK.
In the last decade, he worked in connecting fabric companies towards building strong, reliable bridges across countries like the US, Canada, South Korea, Pakistan, Japan, China and India.
Aamir’s vision is to collaborate with designers across the quilt and craft industry, focusing on innovation and building dependable international partnerships regardless of the moving parts.
This session is open to everyone in the crafts industry and is free to attend.
Monday, September 29 at noon Eastern/ 9:00 am Pacific
