The past month has been a whirlwind for business owners, with major legal and economic shifts that could impact your operations, your bottom line, and your long-term strategy. From new tariffs driving up costs to a major rollback of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), staying ahead of these changes is critical.

In this month’s roundup, I’m breaking down what’s happening, why it matters, and how you should be preparing. Plus, I’m sharing an exclusive look at The Legacy Circle, a new resource hub designed to give business owners and professionals the legal strategies and tools they need—on demand.

Let’s dive into the key updates and what they mean for you.

Trump’s Tariffs Take Effect: What Business Owners Need to Know

The Trump administration has officially moved forward with new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, China, and now steel and aluminum, shaking up global trade and increasing costs for small businesses.

As of March 4, 2025, the following tariffs are now in effect:

• 25% tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico [NPR]

• 10% additional tariffs on Chinese goods, bringing total tariffs on many imports to 20% [BBC]

• 10% tariffs on Canadian energy exports to the U.S.

• New tariffs on steel and aluminum, increasing costs for manufacturers.

The Immediate Impact

• Stock markets reacted sharply—the Dow fell 1.4%, the S&P 500 sank 1.75%, and the Nasdaq dropped 2.6% in response to the announcement [BBC].

• Canada, China, and Mexico have announced retaliatory tariffs, increasing costs for U.S. businesses that export goods abroad, including 15% tariffs on US chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton from China and 25% tariffs on electiricity exports to the US [Forbes and CBS News].

• Retailers are bracing for price hikes, particularly on imported products like electronics, textiles, and fresh produce [Fortune].

• Manufacturers are feeling the squeeze, especially those reliant on imported steel and aluminum.

How This Affects Small Business Owners

If your business imports goods or raw materials, expect higher costs and potential supply chain delays. In particular:

• Manufacturing and e-commerce businesses reliant on Chinese goods may face increased costs and longer shipping times.

• Retailers and grocery stores could see price hikes on food, clothing, and electronics.

• Exporters of U.S. goods may face new barriers and reduced demand from international buyers due to retaliatory tariffs.

• Businesses relying on steel and aluminum are seeing price spikes, making production more expensive.

What Can Business Owners Do Now?

✅ Review your supplier contracts—can you renegotiate terms or find domestic alternatives?
✅ Adjust your pricing strategy—will you absorb the extra costs or pass them to customers?
✅ Plan for further volatility—these tariffs could shift depending on ongoing negotiations.

I’ll continue monitoring these updates and breaking them down so you know exactly what steps to take. If you have questions about how these tariffs impact your business, schedule a strategy session to discuss the best path forward.

Corporate Transparency Act Update: What Business Owners Need to Know

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) has been a moving target for business owners, and the latest update marks a major shift from the original requirements. As of March 2, 2025, the Treasury Department has officially suspended enforcement of CTA filing requirements for U.S. businesses.

This means that domestic companies and U.S. citizens are no longer required to file beneficial ownership reports under the existing deadlines.

What Changed?

• The Treasury Department announced that it will not impose penalties or fines on U.S. businesses that do not file beneficial ownership reports. [Read the announcement]

• The agency is now working on a proposed rule change to limit CTA reporting to foreign entities only. [Full details]

• This decision follows legal challenges, including a ruling from the Eastern District of Texas that lifted a previous nationwide injunction on the law.

What This Means for Business Owners

• If you have already filed: The Treasury has not clarified what will happen to the information already submitted.

• If you have not filed: You are no longer required to do so—at least for now.

• If you were concerned about compliance: This is a major rollback that reduces regulatory burdens for small business owners.

Will This Change Again?

Possibly. While this is a significant shift, the Treasury’s decision could be challenged in court, and Congress is considering additional changes to the law.

For now, the best move is to stay informed. If you were preparing to file, hold off. If you’re unsure about how this impacts your business, let’s talk.

📌 I’ll continue monitoring these updates and breaking them down so you know exactly what steps to take. If you have questions about your business structure and compliance, reach out for a strategic consultation.

USPTO Fee Increases: What Business Owners and Brand Owners Need to Know

If you’re filing for a trademark or patent in 2025, expect to pay more than before. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has officially increased its fees, with hikes ranging from 10% to 100%, effective January 19, 2025.

And here’s the reality—nothing stops them from raising fees again.

Key Fee Increases:

• Patent application fees increased by at least 10%, with some costs doubling. [Baker Botts]

• Extra claim fees for patents have doubled, making complex filings significantly more expensive.

• Trademark renewal fees and other key costs have risen, impacting brand owners maintaining existing marks.

• New surcharges for continuation applications—If a patent’s priority claim is more than 6 or 9 years old, you’ll now pay thousands in extra fees to continue the process.

What This Means for You

If you’re securing intellectual property protection in 2025, you’re paying more than you would have just a few months ago—and there’s no guarantee fees won’t rise again.

• For inventors and product-based businesses: If you file patents with multiple claims or continuations, your costs just went up.

• For brand owners: Renewing a trademark, making corrections, or filing new applications now costs more than before.

• For businesses considering IP protection: This is a wake-up call. The price of protecting your business is increasing, and waiting could make it even more expensive in the future.

What Can You Do Now?

✅ Budget accordingly—factor in these higher costs for patents, trademarks, and renewals.
✅ Reassess your IP strategy—do you need to streamline filings or prioritize key protections?
✅ Stay ahead of future increases—nothing stops the USPTO from raising fees again. Being informed is your best defense.

📌 If you need to navigate these changes and ensure your business’s intellectual property remains protected, let’s talk. Schedule a strategy session so you can make informed, strategic moves in 2025 and beyond.

The Legacy Circle is Coming Soon – And I Want You In

Business owners like you deserve more than guesswork when it comes to legal protection. That’s why I’m creating The Legacy Circle—a premium resource hub designed to give you the expert legal insights, strategic tools, and protections you need—on demand.

For those who aren’t ready for full-service legal representation but still want top-tier guidance, the Legacy Circle will provide:

• Curated legal resources & contract templates—so you’re never left searching.

• Monthly legal strategy workshops and Q&A sessions—so you stay ahead of business risks.

• Exclusive assessments & tools—so you can make strategic moves with confidence.

This is your legacy, your protection, and your business. Let’s make sure you have everything you need to move forward powerfully.

The waitlist is now open. Be among the first to access The Legacy Circle when it launches. Join here now.

But this isn’t just about legal solutions—it’s about giving high-level professionals the tools to secure their businesses, protect their wealth, and create lasting impact.

Want to Shape the Legacy Circle?

Before we finalize everything, I’d love to hear from you. What legal challenges do you face? What resources would make the biggest impact in your business? What are your current priorities?

Take this 5 second survey below. This is your chance to influence what’s included.

📌 Why This Matters:
Your response will help shape the Legacy Circle to ensure it delivers the most valuable, high-impact insights for high achieving business owners and professionals like you.

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Just in case you missed it, here are the latest videos on the YouTube channel. Each week I share the real strategies wealthy people and powerful businesses and brands use to stay that way—so that you can build a business, brand, and name that actually lasts, too. Check the latest videos below.

What’s Next: Stay Ready, Stay Protected

With shifting trade policies, evolving regulations, and rising costs, now is the time to be proactive, not reactive. Whether it’s adjusting your supply chain, ensuring compliance with legal changes, or strengthening your business’s legal foundation, having a strategy in place is critical.

✅ If you import or export goods, review your contracts and pricing strategy to navigate the tariff increases.
✅ If you were preparing to file under the CTA, hold off and stay informed on upcoming rule changes.
✅ If you want expert legal guidance without full-service representation, join the waitlist for The Legacy Circle to access high-value legal insights and tools tailored for business owners like you.

I’ll continue monitoring these updates and breaking them down so you can focus on growing, protecting, and scaling your business strategically. If you have specific concerns or need a customized legal plan, schedule a strategy session—let’s make sure you’re positioned to thrive.