All we hear lately is tariff talk.
News cycles. Social feeds. Left vs right. Cars burning. People arguing. Everyone—and his brother’s dog’s babysitter—has an opinion.
I’ve written about it. Extensively.
But here’s the brutal truth: Whether these tariffs go through or not… long term or short term… you and I can’t control it.
What we can control is how we respond.
Yeah, it’s scary. So was the last global “event.” And guess what? We made it through that. We’ll make it through this too.
Years ago, I was on Hilton Head Island visiting a friend. I was in rough shape—mid-2008 crisis, personal and professional upheaval, teetering on bankruptcy.
One afternoon, I found myself sitting at the bar of a golf clubhouse next to this sun-weathered, leathery-faced old guy. Country club type. Multi-millionaire, clearly.
We started chatting like men do. I don’t know why, but I was honest with him (rare for me back then). Told him what I was going through.
He looked at me, firm grip on my shoulder, and said:
“Son, you haven’t lived until the Sheriff comes knockin’ to take your house.”
Then he launched into story after story—not about his wins, but about his failures. And how they shaped him.
That conversation changed me.
Here’s the survival toolkit he gave me that day. I’m passing it on to you:
Tariff Survival Manual
1. If you can’t control it… forget it.
Worry is wasted energy. Channel it somewhere useful.
2. Skill up.
If you’re good at something, get better. Learn something new…AI, copywriting, design, data. Stack value.
3. Expand your network.
“Ain’t no problem I ever had that someone didn’t already know the answer to.”
4. Get known.
This one’s inbound. Show people what you know, what you do, who you help. Make it easy for the right ones to find you.
This Newsletter is sponsored by Can-Am Dealer Services
The old guy said:
“When the shit hits the fan again in your life…and it will…if you’ve got arrows in your quiver, it’s just another day.”
He was right.
I left that country club a different man. And I’ve spent the years since becoming what I’d call a resilience architect.
This tariff stuff? Just another day. Just another opportunity.
Hold the line.
See you next Tuesday
Bob
About Bob Manor
Bob Manor is the founder of South Ontario Auto Remarketing, Can-Am Dealer Services, and is Co-Founder of Auto Auction Review. Bob is also the creator of the Freedom Formula. With over 30 years of experience in the car dealership world, Bob specializes in wholesale, dealer services, and personal branding. His mission is to help dealership professionals take control of their careers, build resilient personal brands, and achieve lasting freedom in business and life.
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