LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As several industries cope with tariffs, it all boils down to three themes: uncertainty, fluctuations and higher costs.

“I slowly started noticing that some of the needles that I was getting; prices were going up,” said Brandon Powell, owner of the Tattoo Shop Downtown in Louisville.

He opened just a year ago, and now Powell is navigating running a small business. For him, it’s all about the art on the skin. But it clashes when it mingles with tariffs.

“Prices have definitely [gone] up,” Powell said. “That had a lot to do with it. Prices went up, and then you’re shipping times, man.”

“I ordered a set of inks about 10 to 15 days ago. They’re still not even here yet.”

Powell found it daunting to be an entrepreneur while dealing with the changing trade policies of Presi

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