In this episode of The Après Business Podcast, host Becca Babicz sits down with Wylie Robinson, co-founder and former CEO of Rumpl, to explore how his outdoor blanket company is weathering major tariff shifts and rethinking its China-based supply chain. Learn how Wylie and his team are navigating sourcing challenges, global logistics, and unpredictable regulations while maintaining brand integrity. If you're an e-commerce entrepreneur or product-based founder looking to future-proof your operations, this candid conversation is a must-listen.
Quoteables:
- “We’re planning the business like the inventory we have now is the only inventory we’ll have this year.” – Wylie Robinson
- “You can’t wait for the rules to change—you have to build the plan with the rules you’ve got today.” – Wylie Robinson
What You’ll Learn:
How to restructure your supply chain in response to geopolitical disruptions like U.S.-China tariffs.
The differences between country of origin vs. country of transformation in product manufacturing.
Why dual sourcing and long-term supplier relationships are essential in physical product businesses.
How to make tough decisions about channel prioritization when inventory is limited.
Key Takeaways from This Episode:
Plan for the present: Make decisions based on current facts, not what might happen.
Supplier loyalty matters: Long-term partners can make or break your ability to pivot quickly.
Inventory flexibility = survival: Understanding where to push or pause inventory is key in uncertain times.
You don’t need all the answers: Even a seasoned founder is still learning on the fly—and that’s okay.
People and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Rumpl: https://www.rumpl.com
Climate Neutral Certification: https://www.climateneutral.org
Trans-Sierra Norte MTB Race: https://www.transsierranorte.com
Connect with Becca:
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