The Inflation & Tariff Survival Guide for Small Business

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Inflation, tariffs, and rising costs—three words that can send any small business owner into a tailspin. In this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock breaks down what’s really happening behind today’s numbers and how you can protect your margins while staying profitable through it all.

Inflation may have cooled from pandemic highs, but at 2.9%, it’s still 50% higher than the Federal Reserve’s target, and small business owners are feeling it even more acutely. Add in new tariffs that cost the average small business $90,000 in just four months, and you’ve got a one-two punch threatening profit margins across the country.

Corey unpacks what these numbers actually mean and, more importantly, what you can do about them. He explains why absorbing costs without a plan can trap your business in a cycle of “opening the doors just to pay the bills,” and how panic-based price increases can alienate loyal customers. Instead, Corey shares real strategies for navigating inflation and tariffs strategically, from transparent, data-driven price adjustments to renegotiating supplier contracts and building supply chain resilience.

Listeners will learn why 65% of small businesses remain profitable despite these pressures, and how adaptability and creative problem-solving are driving that success. Corey outlines key actions every owner should take:

Model different tariff and inflation scenarios.

Audit expenses and find “lost pennies” in recurring costs.

Invest in smart automation and AI tools that increase efficiency without cutting jobs.

Protect your profit margins by focusing on high-performing products and financial reserves.

More than just a crash course in economics, this episode is a playbook for survival and growth in unpredictable times. Corey’s message is clear: small business owners who stay informed, act strategically, and communicate transparently can not only weather inflation and tariffs, but emerge stronger and more resilient.

Tune in to learn how to adapt, protect your margins, and reclaim your peace of mind, because at the end of the day, your business shouldn’t just grind to survive. It should grow to thrive.

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