Navigating Tariff Uncertainty: Why Coaching Matters for Small Businesses
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Valon Nikci, Elaine Handrickx, Mark McLean, Jane Veron, Meena Thever, George LatimerSubmitted by Jane Veron, Co-Founder and CEO, The Acceleration Project
Small business owners have already weathered extraordinary disruption in recent years, most notably during COVID. Yet the current trade environment has introduced a new form of volatility that many entrepreneurs have little experience navigating.
I recently co-chaired and served as a panelist for a roundtable “The Impact of Tariffs on Small Businesses” hosted by Congressman George Latimer in Westchester County, where business owners, legal experts, and policymakers discussed the real world impact of tariff policy. The message was consistent and deeply concerning: tariffs are not just a policy issue. They are a day-to-day operational risk.
In a recent interview with the Washington Examiner, I shared what I am hearing every day from entrepreneurs across the country. “Small business owners are scrappy,” I said. “But this uncertainty is challenging to navigate; not knowing is what is stalling decision-making.” That uncertainty is not theoretical. It is affecting hiring decisions, pricing strategies, inventory planning, and growth investments in real time.
Across TAP’s recent tariff-focused webinars with small business owners, participants reported the same challenges I described at the roundtable and in the Washington Examiner interview. Seventy percent of the businesses we support have already been affected by increased costs related to tariffs. Another twenty percent expect their costs to rise in the coming months.
When asked how tariffs make them feel, business owners use words like terrified, confused, nervous, angry, and devastated. One word rises above the rest: uncertain.
Task Force members
The Real Cost of Uncertainty
As covered in the Hudson Independent article, for many small businesses, tariffs do not show up as a single, visible line item. They appear as higher ingredient costs, disrupted supplier relationships, delayed decisions, and shrinking margins.
At the roundtable, Ellen Sledge, founder of Penny Lick Ice Cream, described paying $90 for a shipment of chocolate in late 2024, only to see that same order cost $220 just months later. While her receipts clearly show rising costs, they rarely explain what is driving them. Tariffs can appear in unexpected places across the supply chain. Even the ink used on packaging may be subject to new tariffs, making it nearly impossible for small business owners to trace the source of price increases or plan accordingly.
Other business owners echoed similar concerns. Restaurant operators spoke about the compounding effects on staffing and continuity. Specialty food retailers warned that small international suppliers may exit the market entirely, with no guarantee they will return. Legal experts noted that even if tariffs are later challenged, the path to reimbursement could take years, time that most small businesses simply do not have.
The result is a business environment where uncertainty stalls growth, as owners hesitate to invest, hire, or expand without clearer signals about future costs.
Jane Veron, Peter Herrero (NY Hospitality), Samantha Reemer.
Why Coaching Matters Right Now
In moments like this, the instinct for many entrepreneurs is to pull back, delay decisions, or try to manage the complexity alone. But uncertainty is precisely when structured, expert guidance becomes most valuable.
Coaching does not eliminate tariffs. It does not change federal trade policy. What it does is help business owners regain control over the variables they can influence.
Through one-on-one coaching and structured advisory engagements, TAP works with small business owners to:
Understand how external shocks like tariffs flow through their specific cost structures and cash cycles
Scenario plan for multiple outcomes rather than betting on a single forecast
Reassess pricing strategies, supplier relationships, and margin thresholds with data and discipline, while guiding supply chain negotiations and partnership decisions
Strengthen financial visibility so decisions are grounded in real numbers, not fear or guesswork
Build operational resilience that allows businesses to adapt as conditions shift
When policy feels unpredictable, clarity becomes a competitive advantage.
From Reaction to Strategy
Running a small business is already an exercise in constant problem solving. Owners spend much of their time responding to day to day operational challenges, managing cash flow, staffing, customer demands, and supplier relationships. When trade policy uncertainty and tariffs are layered on top of these existing pressures, the complexity rises dramatically. What was already difficult becomes even harder, pushing many businesses into a cycle of triage and making it nearly impossible to plan confidently for growth.
Coaching helps shift that posture.
At TAP, coaching engagements are designed to meet business owners where they are, whether they are managing slim margins, growing carefully, or trying to stabilize after a series of shocks. The goal is not perfection. It is informed decision-making. Our role is to help business owners move from paralysis to informed action. Coaching provides a structured way to process complexity, evaluate options, and make disciplined decisions even when the external environment remains unstable.
Practical Guidance for Business Owners
Recognizing how confusing and fast-moving tariff policy has become, TAP recently published a Tariff Update FAQ for Small Businesses to help owners cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters for their operations.
The FAQ breaks down key developments following the February 20, 2026 Supreme Court ruling, explains what changed and what did not, and outlines how multiple tariff authorities can stack on top of one another. It also addresses common questions business owners are asking right now, including refund eligibility, impacts for businesses buying through wholesalers, and what may happen after the temporary Section 122 period ends.
Most importantly, the FAQ translates policy into action. It outlines immediate, practical steps small business owners can take now, such as confirming tariff exposure with suppliers, clarifying landed costs, modeling multiple pricing and cash flow scenarios, negotiating payment terms, and evaluating alternative sourcing strategies. These are the same issues TAP coaches work through directly with business owners every day.
You can read the full Tariff Update FAQ for Small Businesses on TAP’s website to better understand the current landscape and the decisions it may require.
Navigating What Comes Next
There is no clear timeline for when tariff-related uncertainty will ease. Policy shifts, legal challenges, and global supply dynamics may take months or years to resolve. In the meantime, small business owners are being asked to operate in a climate that rewards adaptability, financial discipline, and strategic clarity.
That is why coaching is not a luxury. It is a stabilizing force.
By pairing experienced advisors with under-resourced entrepreneurs, TAP helps small businesses navigate uncertainty with confidence, resilience, and a clearer sense of direction. When external conditions are volatile, the ability to think clearly, plan thoughtfully, and act decisively can make the difference between survival and sustained success.
For small business owners facing the unknown, support matters. And in uncertain times, the right guidance can turn disruption into a path forward.
For organizations, institutions, and individuals interested in working alongside TAP to strengthen small businesses during this period of economic volatility, we invite you to explore partnership opportunities by completing our partner application form. Small business owners seeking customized consulting and coaching support are encouraged to apply for TAP services. Professionals interested in sharing their expertise as volunteer consultants are invited to apply to join TAP’s national consultant network.
George Latimer Salutes Scarsdale10583 in the House of Representatives
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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We were honored this week to be saluted on the floor of the U.S. Congress by Congressman George Latimer, who recognized Scarsdale10583 for coverage of local news in Scarsdale for 17 years.
Thanks so much to our hardworking Congressman for taking time to call out his constituents during this very challenging time in Washington DC.
Click here to watch the video on YouTube.
Here is the transcript
“In the changing landscape of community media, I am pleased to salute the 17th anniversary of Scarsdale10583, the online source for local news and information in the Village of Scardsale. Joanne Wallenstein, an advertising and marketing professional with a background in magazines and internet experience is the driving force for this team that includes Wendy MacMillan. They are committed Scarsdale volunteers for organizations like the PTA’S, the League of Women Voters and other community groups. This gives them the grassroots contact and the feel for what’s happening every day that they report on every day. And they report on what’s happening by being there in person, at event after event. The publication is truly local, high school sports stories, local meetings, recreational activities, neighborhood associations, and their activities. We recognize the hard work of Joanne and her colleagues, and from the floor of the House of Representatives, we salute this terrific effort to bring the whole of the community together. “
Scarsdale Hit With Over a Foot of Snow: Check Out These Snowmen
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Though sometimes the weather forecast can miss the mark and predictions of big snowfalls fail to materialize – this time it seems meteorologists were spot on.
With reports of more than a foot of snow coming our way on Sunday January 25, 2026, plans were cancelled, refrigerators were stocked and we were all braced for the storm, which began as planned on Sunday morning. Heavy snow fell all day Sunday, amounting to about a foot by 4 pm.
Then we started to hear freezing rain hitting the window, leaving a glaze of ice over the drifts.
Commenting on the storm on Monday, Village Manager Alexandra Marshall said, "We received about a foot of snow over the past two days. Crews have been out since 5:30AM yesterday and wrapped up earlier this morning. Overnight tonight into the morning, crews will be hauling snow piles from the downtown. This effort will take a couple of days to complete."
We should all have time to dig out on Monday as school is cancelled. But with freezing temperatures forecasted for the week to come, this snow – and ice – will stick around for the foreseeable future.
Did you take any snow photos? If so, please share them with us at scarsdalecomments@gmail.com.
Snowy Sunset by Shelley Grafstein
Dusting off the lot by Jon Mark
Snow People Building Contest in Sherbrooke Park
Under the inspiring leadership of co-presidents Kristy Grippi and Levi Litman, the Sherbrooke Park Neighborhood Association sponsored a creative snow "people" building contest on Monday after Sunday's storm.
There was a tie between 9 Dunham (Lupo) - "classic" and 9 Brookline (Taylor) - "creative snowgirl"!
Honorable mention in the classic category to 11 Pinecrest (Anita) and 16 Beechwood (Ali), and in the creative category - "Snow sports guy" 4 Brookline (Arlo and Bryron) and 1 Pinecrest (Dylan - the igloo!!)
And for 14 Dunham... it's a tough job out there building...ok to take a nap this year, but next year...you gotta bring the heat!
See picture below for the final results (Clockwise from upper left - 1 Pinecrest, 11 Pinecrest, 9 Dunham, 14 Dunham, 16 Beechwood, 9 Brookline, 4 Brookline).
Prizes for all of our winners and honorable mentions to be distributed this weekend (weather depending 🙂)
(Clockwise from upper left - 1 Pinecrest, 11 Pinecrest, 9 Dunham, 14 Dunham, 16 Beechwood, 9 Brookline, 4 Brookline)
Scarsdale received a foot of snow.
Announcements: Storm Preparedness and Kindergarten Registration
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More snow is in the forcast for this weekend: perhaps event a foot of the white stuff. We reached out to the Village to see how they are preparing and for information on what you can do to be ready.
Here's information from Scarsdale Village Manager Alex Marshall on what to expect:
In preparation for inclement weather conditions this weekend, our Public Works staff are out brining roadways today and tomorrow, as well as checking over all snow removal equipment. We have also taken delivery of an additional order of salt this week. Staff will be monitoring the weather conditions this weekend and will adjust our approach as necessary as we gain more clarity about the forecast. I also encourage that all residents sign up for Everbridge, the Village's Emergency Notification System, as we often use this tool to convey important weather-related updates to the community."
Kindergarten Registration
Parents are encouraged to complete online registration for kindergarten by January 30, 2026
The Scarsdale School District offers online Kindergarten registration. Current residents who expect to have a child attend Kindergarten during the 2026-27 school year are encouraged to complete this process by January 30, 2026. Although prospective Kindergarteners may register at any time prior to the start of the school year, completing this process early ensures a smooth screening and placement process. Children whose fifth birthday falls on or before December 31, 2026, may be registered for the 2026-27 school year.
Please visit www.scarsdaleschools.org/registration for instructions on how to register online.
Enrollment in one of the five elementary schools (Edgewood, Fox Meadow, Greenacres, Heathcote, and Quaker Ridge) is determined by the neighborhood in which you reside. Click here for a map of the school district outlining elementary attendance zones. If you do not know which elementary school serves your neighborhood, please call the District Registrar, Nunzia Mauro, at (914) 721-2444 or send an email to registrar@scarsdaleschools.org.
Board Reviews Next Year's Calendar, the Future of the A School Building and Register Now for Kindergarten
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Board of Education President, James Dugan, started the BOE meeting on Monday night with the reminder that the district’s proposed capital bond is the result of a months-long, transparent planning process and not a sudden proposal. He encouraged residents to review the extensive bond materials available on the district’s website, noting that while the information is substantial, it reflects careful consideration of the district’s long-term needs.
Reflecting on Scarsdale’s more than 240-year commitment to public education, he said the community has consistently invested in its schools, helping establish a nationally recognized district known for academic excellence, including National Blue Ribbon awards and strong student outcomes. He described the bond as a critical opportunity to sustain that legacy, modernize aging facilities, and ensure high-quality learning environments for decades to come.
Dugan went on to explain that the proposed improvements would address building deterioration and enhance student learning experiences, emphasizing that failing to act would ultimately harm both students and the broader community. He urged residents to view the bond as an investment in the future of Scarsdale’s schools and its continued leadership in public education.
He also highlighted the board’s ongoing community outreach efforts, noting that the first board coffee of the year was held on January 9 and inviting residents to attend the next session on February 4 at 7 p.m. to continue open dialogue and engagement.
Read more about what was said in regards the recent Bond Survey results in this article here.
While the bond proposal was definitely a hot topic at the Monday night’s meeting, the Board also discussed a few other important issues.
Proposed Calendar for the 2026-27 School Year
A topic on the minds of parents who are already planning their vacations for next year, Superintendent Dr. Drew Patrick presented a draft of the 2026–27 school calendar that would begin classes before Labor Day, an uncommon move driven by the late timing of the holiday this coming September. Labor Day falls on September 7, 2026, prompting the district to propose a student start date of Tuesday, September 1, with staff returning in late August for required conference days.
The calendar meets the state-mandated 185 days of session and includes a two-week December recess, a February break aligned with Presidents Day, a spring break during Passover week in April, and an extended Easter weekend. The school year would conclude on June 25, the last day permitted statewide by the State Education Department. Patrick noted that because this date is mandated by the state, there is no flexibility to end the school year earlier.
-First Day of School: Tuesday, Sept. 1st, before Labor Day, with (2) Superintendent Conference Days the last week of August
-December Holiday Recess: Dec.21st - Jan. 1st. Schools reopen on Jan. 4th
-Winter Recess: Feb. 15th - Feb. 19th. Schools reopen on Feb. 22nd
-Easter Recess: Mar. 26th - Mar. 29th
-Spring Break: April 19th - April 23rd - coinciding with Passover on Apr. 21-22
Last Day of School (Rating Day): June 25th (determined by the State)
The draft calendar will return to the board for formal action later this month.
Board members discussed the challenges of aligning breaks with neighboring districts and athletic schedules, particularly in years when Passover and Easter do not overlap. Patrick related that attendance has historically been low on partial weeks surrounding holidays, arguing that longer, clearly defined breaks better support continuity of learning than scattered days off. Several members agreed that the two-week December recess improves instructional consistency and reflects the needs of the district’s many international families.
Board Debates Future of “A School” Building, Weighs Partnership With Village
The Board of Education held an extended discussion on the future of the “A School” building on Wayside Lane, also known as the former Boy Scout House, as village officials express interest in reclaiming the space for community use. The building previously housed the Scarsdale Alternative School and continues to serve as overflow parking for Scarsdale High School.
Dr. Patrick shared that the village has shown increasing interest in using the property for adult education, senior programming, or other community purposes, but the district does not currently have funding or a defined plan to invest in renovating the aging structure. Board members acknowledged that holding the building indefinitely without a clear use may not be a sustainable long-term position and raised the possibility of a shared-use partnership with the village.
Several board members expressed concern that losing the adjacent parking lot would worsen already tight parking conditions at the high school, particularly with the introduction of common lunch, which has increased student movement and demand for parking. Members cited traffic congestion, pedestrian safety, and overflow into nearby residential streets as significant risks if parking were reduced.
Others cautioned against relinquishing a building so close to the high school campus, noting the district’s limited land and potential future need for instructional or support space. Security concerns were also raised about housing students in a detached building that lacks modern safety infrastructure.
Student representatives said the parking lot is heavily used and helps reduce congestion on surrounding streets, even though students view it as a last-resort option. They warned that eliminating it could increase safety risks and time pressures during the school day.|
District officials noted that maintaining the building costs approximately $10,000 to $12,000 annually and that any meaningful renovation would require significant investment. Under the current lease, either the district or the village may terminate use with 90 days’ notice, though village leaders have indicated a preference for a mutually agreed solution.
The board agreed to continue discussions with village officials to explore options, including possible shared use with carefully defined schedules, while seeking greater clarity on the village’s long-term plans and the potential impact on traffic and safety. No decision was made, and administrators said further information would be gathered before any changes are considered.
District Selects New Health Care Consultant
The school district has selected Risk Strategies as its new health care consulting firm to support management of its self-insured health insurance plan following a competitive request for proposals process.
Risk Strategies will provide strategic planning, financial and actuarial analysis, vendor oversight, and member advocacy services, including direct support for employees and retirees navigating claims. Assistant Superintendent of Business, Andrew Lennon said the firm will help manage rising health care complexity and costs while easing administrative workload.
The district emphasized that the change will not affect health care coverage, benefits, or existing vendors, but will add oversight and support.
Online Kindergarten Registration Starts January 15
The Scarsdale School District offers online Kindergarten registration. Current residents who expect to have a child attend Kindergarten during the 2026-27 school year are encouraged to complete this process between January 15 and January 30, 2026. Although prospective Kindergarteners may register at any time prior to the start of the school year, completing this process early ensures a smooth screening and placement process. Children whose fifth birthday falls on or before December 31, 2026, may be registered for the 2026-27 school year.
Please visit www.scarsdaleschools.org/registration for instructions on how to register online.
Enrollment in one of the five elementary schools (Edgewood, Fox Meadow, Greenacres, Heathcote, and Quaker Ridge) is determined by the neighborhood in which you reside. Click here for a map of the school district outlining elementary attendance zones. If you do not know which elementary school serves your neighborhood, please call the District Registrar, Nunzia Mauro, at (914) 721-2444 or send an email to registrar@scarsdaleschools.org.
