Trump’s new tariffs are crushing seller margins and confusing even the most advanced Amazon operators. But while most sellers are panicking, smart brands are pivoting. In this episode, Norm Farrar is joined by Dan Ashburn, co-founder of Titan Network and operator of $100M+ in Amazon brands, to break down exactly what sellers need to do in the short and long term to navigate tariffs, protect their cash flow, and gain market share while others retreat. This is your full game plan to survive — and thrive — through the chaos.

_________________________________

This episode is sponsored by Levanta:

Most sellers rely on ads to grow. But lately, that growth comes at a higher price. ROAS is inconsistent. CPCs are rising. And scaling often means overspending. Levanta’s Affiliate Shift Calculator helps you explore a smarter mix—by modeling what would happen if you reallocated a portion of your ad spend into affiliate marketing. It’s a free, expert-built forecast based on your own inputs—not guesswork.

🚨 Get My Shift Calculation → HERE

_________________________________

🔑 What You’ll Learn

- The real impact of 125–245% tariffs (and who’s hit hardest)

- Short-term inventory strategies to buy time

- Why your supplier is your most powerful ally

- The 4D chess of pricing, brand value, and inventory

- Long-term mitigation strategies

- How to negotiate better payment terms and reduce COGS

Tools Dan’s team uses to stay ahead

🧠 Guest: Dan Ashburn Co-founder of Titan Network Operator of 100M+ in Amazon brands China Magic lead + margin strategy specialist

🔗 Useful Links 💼 https://www.titannetwork.com

🎓 Cash Flow for Sellers Training: cashflowforsellers.com

✈️ China Magic Trips: https://www.chinamagictrip.com

🧹 Review Removal Tool: https://tracefuse.ai

🗞 Newsletter: https://lwn.news

🕒 Timestamps (Chapters)

00:00 – Intro & Dan Ashburn Joins

04:00 – What Are Tariffs & Why They Matter

08:00 – The Seller Panic Explained

12:00 – 3-Step Response Plan: Observe, Analyze, Respond

16:00 – Tariff Breakdown: How We Hit 245%

20:00 – The Inventory Game: Why It’s Key to Survive

24:00 – Pricing Strategy & Brand Perception

28:00 – Using “Made in USA” Positioning Without Breaking Rules

32:00 – Supplier Relationships as Your #1 Asset

36:00 – Financing & Warehousing Short-Term Plays

40:00 – DDP Shipping: Pros, Cons & Risks

44:00 – Why Negotiating in Person Works Best

48:00 – Cash Flow Tactics + Supplier Terms

52:00 – Mistakes to Avoid During Tariff Panic

56:00 – Long-Term Mitigation Plans (First Sale, FTZs, etc.)

1:00:00 – China +1 Strategy & Sourcing Risks

1:04:00 – Final Tips & Tools to Navigate Tariff Chaos

The Big Picture with David Fyfe

The HC Commodities Podcast

Ad break

The AI-powered Podcast Player