The Daily Her Business Was Thriving. Then Came the Tariffs.
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Apr 14, 2025 
Beth Benike, the award-winning founder and CEO of Busy Baby, shares her journey from military service to entrepreneurship. She discusses the challenges her business faces due to soaring tariffs that could cripple her operations. The conversation dives into her creative solutions for surviving these economic pressures, including the possibility of shifting to domestic manufacturing. Beth also emphasizes the emotional toll these changes have on small business owners, while advocating for a skills-first hiring approach to support workers facing job market barriers.
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From Army to Baby Products
- Beth Benike, Busy Baby's CEO, grew up in an entrepreneurial family and served in the army with her brother.
- After the army, observing her friends' struggles with their babies during a meal sparked her business idea.
Prototype to Product
- Benike's product idea stemmed from a need for a placemat that kept babies' toys and food from being dropped.
- Her initial prototype used silicone caulk, dog mats, and fishing tethers.
Shark Tank Success
- Benike's appearance on Shark Tank followed an email to a producer she'd contacted earlier.
- The show significantly boosted her sales but she declined the Sharks' offers.