An Open Letter On Tariffs

How We’re Navigating Rising Costs, Tariffs, and Staying True to Our Mission

Hi, it’s Pat & Carlos—

We’re writing to you not as a brand, but as two people who built something with our own hands and hearts, and who care deeply about where it’s headed.

We didn’t expect lube to get political. But here we are.

In recent weeks, a sweeping set of tariffs were announced in the U.S.—measures that are being framed as “protecting American businesses.” But here’s what that actually means for small brands like ours:

Costs are up. Options are limited. And everything is becoming more challenging.

At (BUM), we manufacture all our products here in the United States. But many of the ingredients and packaging materials we use come from around the world. Some of them simply don’t exist domestically. So, despite doing everything “right,” we’re now facing massive increases in our production costs—costs we can’t avoid, and didn’t choose.

We’re not exaggerating when we say this:

Our Silicone Lube production costs are up 41%.
Our Hydrating Lube is up 26%.
And that’s after we committed to buying 40% more inventory—normally a move that unlocks discounts. Instead, it’s only made the hit bigger.

We don’t have a corporate safety net. We don’t have investor capital cushioning every curveball. 

We have you.

This is a brand built by a small queer family for a much bigger one. It’s powered by purpose. We donate a portion of every dollar we make to organizations that help the LGBTQ+ community build families of their own. We’re not yet taking salaries. We’re doing what we can, how we can, with the hope that it matters.

And the truth is—it does. Your support matters. Your purchases matter. Your voice matters. Especially now.

We’re doing our best to hold our prices steady. We’re still offering discounts to first-time customers so people can give (BUM) a try. But we don’t know how long we can keep it up. The rising costs we’re absorbing are real—and unsustainable without your continued support.

Here’s how you can help our business and any other small business, if you’re in a position to:

1. Pay full price when you can.
We know it goes against everything we’ve been taught as consumers. But if you want to help small, mission-driven brands like ours survive—especially in moments like this—it makes a real difference.

2. Tell your friends about us.
Word of mouth is powerful. Every time you get a friend to try (BUM), you help us avoid the biggest cost most businesses face: customer acquisition. And when costs around us are rising, that kind of support helps us keep prices low for everyone.

3. Buy on Amazon and leave a review.
Amazon is complicated and controversial at times, we know. But visibility on Amazon means more people discover us at the exact moment they’re looking for what we offer. Remember, the #1 selling water based lube and #1 selling silicone based lube is selling an estimated $3 million dollars worth of product every month with our commitment to donating 5% of revenue to our mission that would be $1.8 million per year funding adoptions, surrogacy, and parenthood in our community. But breaking through in such a competitive space is difficult, your 5-star reviews on Amazon? They're golden!

4. Keep believing in what we’re building.
This moment is testing us. But it’s also reminding us why we started. Queer people deserve better care, safer products, and brands that see and serve them without apology. That’s not just marketing—it’s our mission.

We don’t know exactly what’s ahead. But we do know this: we’re not going anywhere.

We’re not the only brand on the shelf, and we may see fluctuating prices as this unfolds. But we’re here. We’re honest. We have kick-ass, high-quality products. And we’re trying to build something that makes a real difference.

Thank you for showing up for us.
Thank you for making space for brands like this to exist.
And thank you for reminding us—every single day—why this work matters.

If you’re up for it, Shop (BUM)

With love and grit,

Pat & Carlos
Dads. Husbands. Founders.
(BUM) Bottoms Up Movement