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10 Real-World Strategies to Prepare Your Business for Uncertainty

April 16, 2025 • Melissa Franks

Uncertainty is the only certainty in business—and the past week proved that in spades. From escalating tariffs to market chaos, small business owners are feeling the pressure. In this episode, Melissa unpacks 10 concrete strategies to help your business navigate economic unpredictability with confidence, clarity, and control.

Whether you're making physical products or running a service-based company, this episode will show you how to prepare for trade wars, price hikes, supply chain disruptions, and more—without losing your mind (or your margins).

What You'll Learn:

Why diversification of suppliers and manufacturers is non-negotiable

How to routinely review and adjust your pricing (and why you probably should)

The importance of building a business cash reserve—and how much to aim for

How to stay on top of news and global trends without going into overwhelm

The role customer relationships play in keeping revenue steady

How to prepare local backups for when your national or global systems break down

What business continuity planning actually looks like—and why you need a “What If” playbook

The power of fixed-rate contracts and written agreements in volatile markets

Why staying lean and agile might be your greatest advantage

If you’ve ever wondered how the big companies seem to weather every storm—it’s because they plan for it. And now, you can too.

Resources & Links:

Learn more about Melissa and her work: www.melissafranks.com

Follow on Instagram: @melissa_franks