How To Outsmart Tariffs: Companies And Experts Share Their Top Advice

It almost goes without saying that the constantly-shifting tariff proposals coming out of the Trump administration over the last several weeks have thrown global supply chains into chaos. With new duties hitting imports and international trade tensions flaring, companies are facing spiking costs, vanishing vendors, and increased security risks that are already testing resilience across industries.

Whether you’re a small business owner, or just trying to keep your own budget and investments stable in a tumultuous market climate, here are 10 ways to rethink your vendor mix or money strategy. Each is inspired by a real-world innovator thriving amidst market upheaval and setting an example for what it means to weather the storm.

1. Protect Your Financial Health First

Before reacting to headlines or inflation talk, take care of your own finances. That’s rule number one, says Jason Tartick, bestselling author, host of the Trading Secrets podcast, and former banker turned financial strategist.

“Do not overspend trying to guess what you’ll need down the road,” Tartick said. “If demand is low or uncertain, don’t panic buy. Focus on your financial wellbeing first and foremost.”

Whether you’re weighing a big purchase or watching prices rise, staying calm and grounded helps you make better financial decisions.

2. Tariffs Mean Higher Prices—And Fast

“All businesses operate for profit,” Tartick said. “If tariffs drive up costs, those costs almost always get passed on to the consumer.”

He added that investors and economists are watching closely. “The higher the tariff percentage, especially by country, the greater the impact you’ll see at checkout.”

This rings especially true for perishables: Fruits, vegetables and other short-shelf-life goods will likely see price hikes first.

3. Inflation Protection: Make Your Money Work

With rising prices, holding onto idle cash isn’t the answer.

“Make sure you have an emergency fund that covers three to 12 months of expenses,” Tartick said. “But beyond that, don’t let your money sit in a zero-percent account.”

He recommends high-yield savings accounts paying 2% to 5%, which help your money work harder while staying accessible.

4. Leverage AI Tools & Automation to Build Security

SecurityPal, a customer assurance platform, is harnessing this moment by helping businesses seamlessly switch vendors–a task that is especially urgent for those working with international supply chains. Their AI-powered platform reduces the traditionally lengthy process of completing vendor security audits from as long as several weeks to just a few hours.

CEO Pukar Hamal, bridging San Francisco and Nepal, told us, “Tariffs demand speed, but security’s non-negotiable.”

For small businesses scrambling to swap vendors, SecurityPal’s approach provides a reminder to complete a thorough assessment before signing new contracts.

For individuals, the company’s AI-driven approach is a reminder to use tech wisely in this moment. Automate your bills and leverage AI tools to help you streamline your budget and balance your investments so you can efficiently build a safety net that will help you ride out market jolts with as little damage as possible.

5. Know When to Bring in the Pros

In addition to vetting vendors for security, it’s also important for businesses to be strategic when it comes to choosing the right one at the best price. SIB, an efficiency optimization firm trusted by some of the world’s largest PE funds, specializes in procurement, auditing contracts and negotiating deals to keep new clients profitable. For companies replacing overseas SaaS or parts, SIB’s expertise helps clients avoid expensive flubs.

For individuals and small business owners, it’s important to know when to call in help. Be sure to do your own vetting to find trusted vendors, financial advisors, or tax professionals who can save you from bad moves and help you be strategic with how you manage your spending and expenses.

6. Travel May Get More Expensive—But You Can Still Outsmart It

“If tariffs hit fuel or airline parts, flight prices will go up,” Tartick said. “You’ll also see rising prices in tourist-heavy areas due to more expensive imported goods.”

His advice? Book early, use your travel rewards wisely, and lean into road trips or domestic getaways when you can. “Travel is still possible—you just need to be more strategic,” he added.

7. Opt for Made-in-America Products Where You Can

One of the core ideas behind tariffs is to generate new demand for “Made in America” products, and this applies to businesses as much as it does individuals. For tech firms that rely on chips to build their hardware, Positron, a Reno-based AI inference processor maker, helps firms reduce their reliance on overseas supply chains, which have traditionally dominated the market. Similarly, BBB, a biological computing company, builds their human-neuron based chips in the U.S., which are shown to reduce inference costs considerably in computer vision models and LLMs.

In New York, a Founders Fund-backed startup called Nanotronics doubles down on American chip manufacturing with Cubefabs—AI-driven microchip factories that enable companies to make their own chips without complex foreign supply chains. Their chips are made from American-sourced gallium oxide, as opposed to China-sourced silicon.

Similarly, Wrap Technologies–a public safety company– deliberately manufactures all of its solutions in the U.S. This includes BolaWrap, a non-lethal and painless compliance tool–an innovation that differentiates it from competitors that manufacture pain-complicance tools and rely heavily on foreign supply chains. They recently announced that their new global headquarters will be in Virginia— thousands of miles away from the now-tariffed places their competitors source their products from.

While these companies operate within the “B2B” and “B2G” spaces, their choices to manufacture domestically serve as a reminder for small businesses and consumers to source and buy locally when you can–especially once the cost of imports goes up. And for investors, it may be wise to purchase domestic stocks that are less susceptible to losses that may result from trade wars.

8. Diversify Early and Often

Forward-thinkers don’t wait for the next tariff wave or major market event—they innovate regardless. WindBorne Systems, a planetary intelligence company operating a global constellation of AI weather balloons, builds adaptable supply chains by rethinking logistics to sidestep disruptions.

Tea.xyz, a hub for open-source developers, taps a global talent pool to keep costs nimble and operations flexible. Both companies prove staying ahead beats scrambling.

For investors, it’s crucial to never bank on one income or stock. Whether it’s starting a side gig to complement your day job, or spreading your 401(k) across sectors, by keeping your options—and portfolios—diversified, you’re far less likely to find yourself in a panic any time there is a market shift.

9. Lock in Stability Where You Can

Another player in the AI space, GenLayer, tackles tariff pressures with Intelligent Contracts, enabling AI-driven supply chains to negotiate and settle deals autonomously—bypassing slow human systems and maintaining trust when vendor reliability wanes.

Meanwhile, in the healthcare sector, Aion BioSystems, with its TempShield device for remote patient monitoring, has already locked in their inventory and rates with suppliers — to ensure healthcare clients—hospitals or individuals—aren’t hit by price surges. This proactive approach has helped ensure continued availability of a lifesaving technology that’s in high demand nationwide, particularly for pediatric cancer patients whose health depends on real-time monitoring.

Individuals and small businesses can take the same approach when managing finances–especiallty when it comes to stabilizing your fixed and recurring costs. Lock in a fixed-rate mortgage, negotiate a commercial lease for your small business storefront, or snag a discount on your cell phone bill. Much like larger corporations, you win by planning ahead.

10. DIY For Simple Fixes and Projects

Whenever recessionary pressures loom, people tend to opt for DIY home edits and repairs, rather than hiring professionals. EndlessAI’s Lloyd, a video assistant, helps businesses fix in-house gear—like factory chillers—cutting down on vendor reliance. For individuals, Lloyd can show you how to repair your fridge, pool pump, or car, slashing service costs.

If you find yourself pinching pennies, try to DIY where it makes sense. Skip the $100 handyman or $500 mechanic when a $20 part and help from a tool like Lloyd can help you get the job done. Every dollar saved is a dollar to invest or pad your savings account.

The Bottom Line: Thrive, Don’t Just Survive

Tariffs are upending supply chains, but companies are already proving adaptation is possible. For you, the key is to remain agile and adaptable—automate, diversify, negotiate, DIY, innovate. Whether you’re a business owner or juggling bills, the winners don’t flinch in the face of uncertainty–they pivot, stabilize, and plan ahead.