Radio Atlantic The Art of the Doll
19 snips
May 8, 2025 
Eleanor Mak, the founder of Jilly Bing, aims to empower Asian American children through representation in dolls. She shares her journey and the challenges posed by tariffs that threaten her vision. Martha Gimbel, director of the Budget Lab at Yale, discusses the broader implications of such tariffs on small businesses and consumer choices. The conversation delves into nostalgia, the impact of economic policies on childhood, and the emotional ties we have to the toys that shape our identities.
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Eleanor Mak's Doll Story
- Eleanor Mak wanted her daughter to have a doll she could relate to, not the typical generic dolls available.
- She started Jilly Bing to create Asian American dolls that represent her community authentically.
Crafting Dolls is Manual Art
- Doll manufacturing involves meticulous manual work, like rooting each doll's hair by hand for precision.
- Eleanor treasures imperfect dolls with slight mistakes as special editions, adding character to her creations.
Tariffs Threaten Doll Business
- Eleanor's doll business thrived until tariffs surged to 145%, forcing her to consider charging $150+ per doll.
- This marked what she called a "nail to the coffin" because it would devastate her business.