The Business Lesson of Canada and the US

There’s a basic business lesson most companies eventually learn. If you have several customers, and they’re all buying similar amounts of goods or services from you, then everything in your business is usually pretty good.

But, if instead of several similar customers, you have ONE MASSIVE CUSTOMER…things are different. Especially if that one massive customer comprises more than 50% of revenue.

Things might start out smoothly. Maybe they love you. They appreciate what you do.

But let’s say a new person takes over the helm, and now you’ve got a tyrant grinding down your prices, making unreasonable demands and spreading bad rumours that you’re the problem. They even go so far as to “put you on notice,” despite having a written contract in place.

That’s where Canada is today. And we all know what’s going on.

I wrote about this tariff situation in early 2025, saying that small businesses have to get out and make new relationships (i.e. get more customers) to survive.

I am happy to see our prime minister is doing just that, on the national level. Canada is like his “small business” and there he is, being a road-warrior salesman, hitting up over 20 countries so far, and making great headway. I don’t normally get political in posts, but as a marketer and business owner, this is something I can respect.

Two thumbs up, Mr. Carney. You got the basic business lesson. I wish him well on succeeding to execute it; it’s not easy.

Paradoxically, I also wrote about why Albertans never vote Liberal. But I really think Carney could change that. Alberta is watching, and we’re sure seeing a hard-working Prime Minister in action. Probably couldn’t come at a better time, given the little uptick in separatist sentiment spurred by previous Liberal regimes.

If you own a Canadian business and are being hit hard by tariffs, I encourage you to take a page from Carney’s playbook. Roll up your sleeves and find some new business.

And if you want the help of a great business partner, book a free consultation with us today.