Business Resilience and Smart Growth in Trump 2.0
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/03/13
Steve Nixon is a world-touring jazz and blues pianist and the founder of FreeJazzLessons.com. A Berklee College of Music graduate, he has performed with legends like B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Shemekia Copeland. Nixon is also an accomplished session musician and educator, sharing his expertise worldwide. Nixon discusses the impact of rising costs under the second Trump administration, emphasizing cost-saving measures like automation and careful expense tracking. He advises small businesses to prepare for tax changes, diversify income sources, and build customer loyalty. Nixon highlights networking, mental resilience, and strategic decision-making as keys to long-term business stability.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What are the effects of the second Trump administration on rising costs so far?
Steve Nixon: One of the things you worry about the most is the rapid rise in costs. Everything from rent, wages, and materials appears to be rising. In business, you double-check all things so you don’t squander your capital. Saving is possible by being observant about small things, such as small service contracts or even the computer packages you pay for and fail to use.
I have automated much. Automating some bookings and customer support has saved me dozens of hours. I don’t waste time figuring things out anymore, and this has provided me with spare time to expand the business. Work smarter, not harder.
Jacobsen: How are you adapting to tax changes upcoming?
Nixon: Small businesses need to prepare for the tax changes looming ahead. My advice is prepare beforehand, not when tax season is here and you hear about it. One has to work with the right accounting firm that is informed about the tax changes. My accounting firm and I sit together quarterly to ensure that I am doing the right things.
While it may seem obvious, keeping track of every expense is huge. A lot of business owners miss out on deductions they could be taking advantage of. Staying organized can go a long way in making sure you’re not paying more than you need to.
Long-Term Stability: One thing I learned from all this is you can’t sit around when things aren’t good and only worry about making it through the day. You need to prepare for the future. Having multiple sources for making money has helped me a great deal. I don’t rely only on one source; rather, I have multiple sources for making money, such as conducting classes, consultancy, and doing some sort of performance. In this manner, when one is not good, the others can sustain the business.
Creating a solid brand and holding onto loyal customers is essential when the future is not clear. Customers prefer to stick around the people they know and can trust. My emphasis is building relationships, keeping them informed, and demonstrating you care about them beyond the sale. If you make your customers feel like you care about them and their business, you can count on them when you need them.
Jacobsen: How do you create support networks?
Nixon: The business arena can also be isolating, but support can make all the difference. One method for coping is by sitting and conferring with fellow small business proprietors and comparing notes. If you know that others experience similar things, you can handle them easier. Networking groups online or offline assist you in establishing relationships that can translate into business connections, acquiring new clients, and acquiring the support you require for your mental attitude.
Customers can assist you also. Be truthful and transparent about the issues your business is encountering, and you can gain their trust. Inform them you will do your best to maintain things operating smoothly and you will bring them back.
Jacobsen: What about the need for resilience and being mentally tough in conditions shaky for business?
Nixon: During hard times, you need to pay close attention to your mental state. My idea is that when you don’t like the way you feel mentally, you can’t make good business decisions. If you’re always “trying to survive,” you can easily get exhausted, and you need some space for yourself. For me, some space for yourself to walk around, work out, or something like this to break from work for a few minutes, helps you clear your head. When things turn tough, you need to remain cool and flexible. If you maintain your composure and remain focused, you can make sound judgments for the business to expand, rather than being agitated amidst the turmoil. I hope this is useful for you and provides you with good starting points for your work. If you require anything else or need clarification about something, please let me know.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Steve.
Last updated May 3, 2025. These terms govern all In Sight Publishing content—past, present, and future—and supersede any prior notices. In Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen is licensed under a Creative Commons BY‑NC‑ND 4.0; © In Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen 2012–Present. All trademarks, performances, databases & branding are owned by their rights holders; no use without permission. Unauthorized copying, modification, framing or public communication is prohibited. External links are not endorsed. Cookies & tracking require consent, and data processing complies with PIPEDA & GDPR; no data from children < 13 (COPPA). Content meets WCAG 2.1 AA under the Accessible Canada Act & is preserved in open archival formats with backups. Excerpts & links require full credit & hyperlink; limited quoting under fair-dealing & fair-use. All content is informational; no liability for errors or omissions: Feedback welcome, and verified errors corrected promptly. For permissions or DMCA notices, email: scott.jacobsen2025@gmail.com. Site use is governed by BC laws; content is “as‑is,” liability limited, users indemnify us; moral, performers’ & database sui generis rights reserved.
In-Sight Publishing 