In 2021, my company, TinkerHouse, Inc., encountered what felt like a perfect storm of economic disruptions, all triggered by harmful government policies that disproportionately impacted small businesses—especially those of us within the tabletop gaming community. The trade war instigated during Donald Trump’s first administration didn’t just complicate international commerce; it unleashed a cascading series of crises that tested our resilience in ways we never imagined.
Picture this: The Ever Given blocking the Suez Canal, grinding global shipping routes to a halt; strikes paralyzing operations at the Port of Los Angeles; and an unprecedented shortage of shipping containers in China. Ocean freight costs skyrocketed overnight, soaring from approximately $2,559 per 40-foot container from China to the U.S. East Coast in early 2020, to an eye-watering $12,000 by year’s end—a nearly fivefold increase. For a small business like ours, those numbers didn’t represent inconvenience; they spelled disaster.
Forced into substantial debt just to meet obligations to our Kickstarter backers, TinkerHouse spent the next four years navigating rough financial waters. It wasn’t until January 2025 that we finally glimpsed the horizon again, clawing our way back to financial stability.
Under the Biden administration, we cautiously explored domestic manufacturing alternatives, hoping to avoid further international turbulence. But our optimism was short-lived. Unrealistic minimum orders and sky-high costs from U.S. manufacturers meant bringing production home was simply not viable. Reluctantly, we returned to international production.
Then, with Trump’s return to office, aggressive trade policies reemerged with devastating force. Tariffs surged as high as 145%, hitting us precisely when our financial commitments were already locked in. With nowhere to turn, we had no choice but to continue forward, despite costs that felt impossible to bear.
In the face of these hardships, we found strength through solidarity. Joining forces with fellow publishers—including Jamie Stegmaier from Stonemaier Games—and backed by the Pacific Legal Foundation, we challenged the legality and fairness of these crushing tariffs. Initially, I worried about backlash and repercussions; instead, we discovered a powerful network of support and collective action.
Our journey underscored just how vital organizations like the Tabletop Game Alliance of Washington truly are. Community-driven groups provide crucial advocacy and resources, enabling small businesses like ours to withstand policy shocks and economic upheavals. Alone, we’re vulnerable; together, we’re formidable.
As we approach the completion of our latest production run, the future remains uncertain. Yet our resolve is stronger than ever, bolstered by our community’s unwavering support. Will our efforts bring about the necessary change? Only time will tell. Until then, our commitment to our customers, our industry, and fellow tabletop creators remains steadfast and unshakable.