KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A small, mother-and-daughter–owned dance and music studio in downtown Kissimmee is facing growing financial strain as changing U.S. tariffs and international shipping decisions push up the cost of imported supplies and disrupt long-standing vendor relationships.

Jacklyn Dougherty, who began ballet lessons at age three and now co-owns the studio with her mother, said they have relied for years on a particular line of ballet slippers and pointe shoes manufactured in Russia.

The shoes — which Dougherty estimates cost about $180 a pair — have become harder to obtain and more expensive as tariffs and other trade factors shift.

“I get these ones from Russia. I actually like the way they are made from there,” Dougherty said, adding that the prices continue to climb because o

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