The impact of global tariffs on one Iowa startup with Russel Karim

In this episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee interviews Russel Karim, CEO and co-founder of SourceEazy. Russel shares his entrepreneurial journey, which began at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and highlights his roots in Bangladesh. Initially, he developed a startup called Solver Iowa, which, although it didn’t succeed, was nominated for Innovation of the Year. This experience led him to immerse himself in the Iowa startup ecosystem.

Russel discusses the origins of his current company, originally named Dakai, after the capital city of Bangladesh, reflecting his connection to the region and its vibrant role in the global apparel industry. SourceEazy started with the vision of being the “Shopify for clothing supply chain,” helping designers and influencers navigate the complex global supply chain. Russel explains the company’s evolution, including a name change to SourceEazy, as they expanded operations to multiple countries and diversified their offerings.

The conversation shifts to recent challenges faced due to tariffs imposed by the U.S. government. Russel explains the impact on importers and how SourceEazy’s diversified manufacturing in non-China countries became advantageous. Despite initial panic, the tariffs have opened new business opportunities for SourceEazy as clients seek supply chain alternatives.

Russel highlights SourceEazy’s focus on technology and their AI-powered platform, which streamlines the promotional and uniform product industry. The discussion concludes with Russel’s optimism about the company’s growth and the potential for expanding their team and technological offerings. He encourages interested parties to connect via SourceEazy’s website or his LinkedIn profile.

Throughout the conversation, Kaylee and Russel discuss how the current economic climate impacts businesses and emphasize the importance of adaptability and resilience in the face of challenges.