As I talk to local businesses and local leaders throughout the country, I am struck by one thing—economic uncertainty breeds fear. Fear can be a great motivator. It forces us think differently, try new ideas and stretch beyond our comfort zones. But fear is very close to panic and panic is destructive with no redeeming values that I’ve ever seen. Going right up to that panic line but not crossing over takes nerves of steel. But we’re local business owners and nerves of steel are part of our DNA. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart.
We are once again faced with economic rapids. The possibility of substantial tariffs will affect us all—businesses and our customers alike. The uncertainty of the imminent tariffs is an additional challenge to small local businesses. How can we plan if we don’t know where the tariffs are going? Whether you feel that tariffs are going to harm your business or you think that tariffs are a move in the right direction, right now the impacts may be uncertain.
Like you, I’m asking “What can I do?” What can the Local Business Institute do to help you ride the economic rapids? I can do three things. I can offer helpful suggestions as we did in last week’s newsletter with a terrific article from our colleague, Colin Murray. We can support the community of local businesses with a clear message that you are not alone. And we can tell your story.
From your local city hall to Washington DC, lawmakers and the public need to hear your story. And we want to give voice to our collective community of local businesses.
Tell us your story
Tariffs are a complicated beast. Far from simple and straightforward, our trade with other countries affects us in so many ways. How would tariffs affect your business? We want to hear from you and amplify your voice by creating a short video of your story over Zoom. Our goal is to make sure that you are heard.
If you are a local business owner and would like to talk about how tariff’s will affect your business, please email me at rebecca@localbusinessinstitute.org. I look forward to hearing from you. Together we can face the economic rapids.
