29-04-2025
Local mom launches one of few baby products unaffected by new tariffs
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — A local mom is moving into the large-scale launch phase of her eco-friendly, non-toxic pacifier business. With new tariffs on non-U.S. goods, her American-made baby products are some of the only ones unaffected.
'In order to feel comfortable in wanting to make sure that I had an eye on the manufacturing, on the batches and batch testing, all of those things, I wanted to, if I was able, to manufacture here in the U.S.,' said Lindsay deOliveira, founder of Soothe Beginnings.
DeOliveira had three non-negotiables when she began her business: eco-friendliness, non-toxic materials and U.S.-based manufacturing- and packing of products.
Despite having to outsource initial molds for her pacifier product after U.S. manufacturers were unable to make the product to deOliveira's specifications, now, all Soothe Beginnings products are manufactured, tested and packed in the U.S.
Shields are made in California, nipples in Missouri and kits are assembled, packed and shipped from Muscogee Mills in Columbus, Ga.
That's become important, as tariffs—including a 145% tax on Chinese goods—take effect, impacting many baby products.
'It's taken me years to find the team that I currently have that have been able to actually make this happen,' deOliveira said, noting that choosing to keep her business essentially entirely U.S.-made set back her large-scale launch by roughly 18 months.
Though her multi-nipple pacifier starter kits cost $50 a piece due to their U.S. manufacturing and materials, that price remains unaffected by tariffs.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports about 90% of baby care products and their components are made in Asia, with the majority made in China. That means few baby products will escape being impacted by tariffs enacted by the Trump administration.
'A lot of the brands have already announced their price increases,' deOliveira said. 'It's very weird to be sitting here, where I set prices before any of this ever occurred that I'm actually able to maintain.'
The local mom's search to find U.S. manufacturers may have set back her launch date, but it hasn't stopped her from finding customers. On Instagram alone, the small business has just under 2,600 followers as of April 28, 2024.
Less than one week since the official launch last Wednesday, deOliveira has sent out more than 70 orders. This week, she's also fielding wholesale orders and repeat customers.
Soothe Beginnings recommends replacing the nipples for their eco-friendly, non-toxic pacifiers every six weeks, offering a subscription service for nipple replacements.
'People like my nipples,' deOliveira said with a laugh on Monday as she packed orders at Muscogee Mills. It was a riff on her business' catchphrase— 'Ask me about my nipples' — which encourages having conversations about baby product safety.
MORE ABOUT SOOTHE BEGINNINGS:
Columbus mom prepares for large-scale launch of eco-friendly pacifier business
Local mom wins startup competition TV series with innovative pacifier brand
StartUp Columbus aims to continue helping local entrepreneurs after BizPitch
Local inventors go head-to-head in 2023 BizPitch finals for $15,000 prize
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