Tariffs Turn the Tables: How to Keep Your Margins from Getting Mugged

If you’ve noticed your supplier invoices creeping up, it’s not “just inflation.” The new tariffs are landing hard — in some cases, adding 30–35% to the cost of everyday products. And here’s the fun part: it’s hitting fast.

For small businesses, that’s a squeeze play. Raise prices too fast and customers bail. Eat the cost and you bleed cash. The move? Don’t flinch. Plan.

Here’s how to get your footing before you start changing price tags:

1. Spot the real damage. Run the numbers on your top 10 biggest expenses. Most people panic over the wrong line items.

2. Talk before you walk. Suppliers expect the tariff conversation—some have temporary price holds or creative workarounds.

3. Repackage the value. If a price bump is inevitable, give people something that makes them feel they’re still winning—bundle, upgrade, add a perk.

Pro tip: This is where AI earns its keep. Use it to run quick “what-if” pricing models, prep supplier negotiation scripts, or stress-test your bundling ideas. It’s not replacing your instincts—it’s giving them sharper teeth.

Bottom line: Tariffs aren’t the end of the world. But they are a filter. Businesses that adapt fast keep their customers. The rest… well, you’ve seen that movie.