Lately, it feels like the financial world’s spinning faster than usual, and not always in the right direction. Between new tariffs, inflation worries, and a jittery stock market, small business owners are doing a lot more than just running the shop. They’re managing risk, protecting margins, and trying to plan when the future feels foggy.
At 1West, we’re having more and more conversations with owners asking the same core questions. So we pulled together five of the most common and most important small business questions owners are asking right now, along with some thoughts on how to tackle them.
Short answer: probably.
With a new 10% “baseline tariff” on all imports, plus threats of bigger hikes on Chinese goods, many small businesses are already seeing price changes from suppliers. One of our clients, who runs a shop in Atlanta, told us she’s had to raise prices multiple times just to keep up.
If you import materials or rely on suppliers who do, now’s the time to review your supply chain. Can you source locally? Can you renegotiate? It’s better to find out now than be surprised later.
In shaky times, cash is king. Ask yourself: How’s your cash flow holding up? Can you cover 3-6 months of operations if sales slow down? Are your invoices getting paid on time?
Pull those reports. Look at your accounts receivable. Check on that line of credit, even if you don’t need it right now, it’s a good idea to know it’s there if things get tighter.
This is a question a lot of owners are wrestling with. You don’t want to scare off customers, but if your costs are up 20%, eating that difference might not be sustainable.
Could you bundle products? Offer smaller portions or “budget” options? Or even add a premium service that helps offset the cost bumps elsewhere?
Sometimes it’s not about raising prices: it’s about offering choices.
We’re seeing more folks look to diversify. It’s not because their business is failing, but because they want a wider safety net. If all your revenue comes from one customer segment, one supplier, or one product line, that’s a risk.
Maybe now’s the time to try out e-commerce, partner with another local business, or roll out something new you’ve had on the back burner. You don’t need to change everything, just widen the base a little.
No one loves thinking about worst-case scenarios, but it’s part of running a smart business. What if your biggest supplier goes under? What if sales drop 30% for a quarter? What if that expansion you’re eyeing runs over budget?
It doesn’t mean you stop taking risks, it just means you’ve got a plan if things don’t go as planned.
The Bottom Line?
You don’t need to have all the answers, but asking the right questions is half the battle. And you don’t have to do it alone. At 1West, we work with business owners every day to help them navigate the mess and come out stronger on the other side.
Need a second set of eyes on your strategy?
Let’s connect. Call 888-881-9378, email customerservice@1west.com, or simply start a new application here, and we’ll be in touch.
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There’s the 1West way to get smart financing fast — and there’s everything else. We believe in your small business and we believe in our approach. No nonsense. No surprises. Just expert guidance from start to finish.
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