Atlanta entrepreneur steers her clients through Trump’s trade war
In an uncertain age of U.S. tariffs and foreign reprisals, Jennifer Barbosa said she’s focused on her customers.
Barbosa’s Atlanta-based company, International Supply Partners, helps businesses, medical facilities, colleges and government agencies obtain mission-critical personal protective equipment through a network of domestic and foreign suppliers. Her company also makes high-visibility safety vests, supplies PPE recycling kits, and sources office supplies and other goods.
Many clients are now facing increasing costs from rising import taxes, costs that can shift weekly.
“These are not fashion trends we provide to them,” Barbosa said of her customers. “These are essential products they need to operate.”
Barbosa founded ISP at her kitchen table in 2016, grew the company through the pandemic and now runs a team of nine people worldwide.
Giving clients actionable information fast is key. Barbosa said even when circumstances are beyond her control or news isn’t good, her clients have told her they appreciate the candor.
“We’re trying to be more proactive and problem-solving rather than being gloomy,” she said.
Georgians react
To gauge the effects of the administration’s first 100 days, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution spoke with residents who have lived with the results. Amid a blitz of executive orders, tariffs, lawsuits, layoffs and funding cuts, they’re exhausted, thrilled, scared, hopeful. Here are their stories:
An Emory research study on Alzheimer’s comes to abrupt halt
Shrimp boat owner hopes tariffs will revive local fishermen
From hopeful foster mom to unemployed CDC worker
Pardoned Jan. 6 defendant wants Democrats punished
Her husband was arrested by immigration agents
DEI rollbacks threaten Atlanta woman’s work
Tariff ‘gloom and doom’ for Atlanta wine seller
Atlanta entrepreneur steers clients through trade war
AJC poll: Trump’s support sinks in Georgia as economic fears rise
Barbosa said some of the world’s best-known companies have not only survived through global crises but thrived. Taking President Donald Trump’s trade war as an opportunity, Barbosa said ISP is growing business by deepening client relationships and forging links with new suppliers, including many that make their products in the U.S.
ISP has sourced from U.S. companies since its founding, Barbosa said, but the tariffs have made certain U.S. products more price competitive with imports. When possible, clients are shifting to domestic producers, which is part of Trump’s aim.
On Trump’s trade policies, Barbosa described herself as “agnostic.”
“The reason I say this is I don’t know what the end game or real strategy is,” she said. “I don’t know where it’s going to go. I don’t think our society is equipped to stand on its own to manufacture all the things we consume.”
That will require a major shift in society, and likely a painful one, Barbosa said.
More coverage of Trump’s effects on Georgia
The first 100 days: Georgians are scared, thrilled about changes
CDC cuts factor into Georgia Senate race
More logging in Georgia’s national forests? It’s possible under a new directive
After layoffs, federal employees navigate uncertain job market
Afraid of church: Some immigrant faithful stay away on Sunday
Georgia protests show growing resistance against Trump administration
About the Author
J. Scott Trubey is the senior editor over business, climate and environment coverage at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He previously served as a business reporter for the AJC covering banking, real estate and economic development. He joined the AJC in 2010.
