Running a small business has never been easy. You expect long hours, tight margins, and the occasional curveball. That’s part of it.
But what we’re dealing with right now is different.
Costs are rising across the board. Supply chains still aren’t fully stable. Finding and keeping staff is harder than it should be. And now, on top of all of that, tariffs and economic uncertainty are adding another layer of pressure that small businesses simply can’t absorb.
As a small business owner here in New Hampshire, I should be celebrating National Small Business Week. And I am proud—proud of the work we do, proud of the role we play in our communities, proud of the way small businesses show up every single day.
But if I’m being honest, it’s hard to celebrate without also acknowledging what’s really happening behind the scenes.
These tariffs—driven by Donald Trump’s trade policies—aren’t abstract decisions. They hit us directly. In my business, they could increase overhead by as much as $80,000. That’s real money. That’s two full-time employees. That’s the difference between growing and just trying to stay afloat.
About 15% of my inventory comes from Canada. We bring in flowers weekly. When those costs go up, I don’t have a lot of options. I either absorb it—which isn’t sustainable—or I pass it along to my customers. Neither is a good outcome.
And I’m not alone in this. Across New Hampshire, small businesses are feeling the same pressure. Some rely on Canadian visitors. Some rely on cross-border goods. Many are already making tough decisions—cutting hours, holding off on hiring, or worse, closing their doors.
That’s why the silence from leaders like Kelly Ayotte is so frustrating.
Saying you’re “focused on New Hampshire” should mean speaking up when policies are actively hurting the people who keep this state running. Small businesses aren’t asking for handouts—we’re asking for awareness, for advocacy, and for leadership that understands what’s actually happening on the ground.
Because here’s the reality: small business owners don’t get to stay quiet when something isn’t working. We have to adjust in real time. We have to make hard calls. We feel the impact immediately.
We expect the same from our leaders.
Small businesses are the backbone of New Hampshire. We create jobs, support our communities, and give our towns their character.
And right now, that backbone is being strained by Donald Trump’s economic policies—policies that are having real consequences here at home. Kelly Ayotte’s silence isn’t neutral. It’s a choice.
If you represent New Hampshire, you should be willing to stand up for the small businesses that power it—even when it means pushing back against your own party.
Because for those of us on the ground, this isn’t politics.
It’s survival.
AMBER MORGAN
Owner of Fortin Gage Flowers & Gifts and currently serving as an At-Large Alderman
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Community Voices is where Nashua residents share their views on local issues, and community concerns. We welcome opinion submissions that are civil, fact-based, and relevant to our city. Submissions are subject to editing and must include the author's name and local connection. Join the conversation at news@nashuaindependent.com.
