Sarah Massie was recently quoted in the New York Times regarding the impacts of tariffs on small business decisions
Amid the noise and unpredictability of global trade policy, familiarity and stability – even costly stability – can feel like a safer bet than starting over elsewhere.
The New York Times (free link) reached out to Sarah for her perspective as an export compliance expert and advisor to U.S. companies navigating international trade risks. The conversation was sparked by her February article, which resonated with many clients and industry peers experiencing real consequences from these policy changes.
“If everybody is getting hit, then that’s definitely stopping some of the looking. At least we already know what this supplier gives us… But whether they can continue at that cost is a whole different story.”
— Sarah Massie, quoted in The New York Times
A Shift in Strategy: From Diversification to Defensive Familiarity
This insight echoes what we’ve been hearing from clients: today’s volatile tariff landscape has left many small and medium-sized exporters unsure how to act. With tariffs being levied across dozens of countries and seemingly shifting by the day, businesses are opting to maintain existing supplier relationships. Even if that means potentially higher costs, the risk and complexity of shifting supply chains is simply too great right now.
The result? Small businesses are stuck making high-stakes decisions with limited resources and little room for error.
That’s why S Massie Consulting exists: to give small and growing exporters the tools, guidance, and confidence they need to compete globally, even when the rules keep changing.
Your Trusted Partner in a Foggy Trade Landscape
At S Massie Consulting, we know that compliance is more than a checkbox. It is your competitive advantage. We work closely with small and mid-sized exporters to give them the clarity and confidence they need to say “yes” to international opportunities.
Here’s how we support our clients in this turbulent environment:
- Export Compliance Programs (ECPs): We build smart, efficient programs that protect your business from costly mistakes and keep shipments moving, even as regulations shift.
- Empowering Sales Teams: We help your salesforce understand where and how they can sell globally, so they can close more deals while staying compliant.
- Export Compliance Training: We provide tailored training for your team, from entry-level staff to executive leadership, so everyone understands the rules and can navigate them with confidence.
- Domestic Supply Chain Verification for ITAR Compliance: For defense-related companies, sourcing from approved domestic suppliers is non-negotiable. We train your team and equip them with the tools needed to confidently conduct supply chain due diligence in-house.
Making Compliance Achievable for Small Businesses
We understand that for small businesses, budget constraints can delay or derail even the most critical projects. That’s why we offer in-house financing options to make export compliance and supply chain strategy upgrades more accessible and affordable. We believe strongly that small and growing businesses deserve a seat at the international table, and we’re committed to helping them get there.
At S Massie Consulting, we’re more than advisors – we’re advocates for our clients. We want to see American small businesses flourish, even in this unpredictable global environment. With the right knowledge, support, and strategy, they can not only weather the storm, but grow through it.
