Adapting Without Burning Out—My Take on Tariffs & Creator Life

New tariffs are hitting hard. Here’s how I’m adjusting my focus, leaning into partnerships, and protecting my peace—while still growing.

Author

Shira Lazar
April 07, 2025

New tariffs are officially in effect, and their impacts are already being felt across industries. Here’s what's happening, how it specifically impacts creators, and actionable steps you can take right now to protect your business and livelihood.

What's Actually Happening?

President Trump introduced significant tariffs, a universal 10% tax on imports, with even higher rates targeting specific countries. From tech gadgets and apparel to digital services, the ripple effects are already in motion, influencing market dynamics quickly.

What Does This Mean for the Creator Economy?

The creator economy, deeply rooted in global connectivity, is already showing signs of strain. Fast-fashion brands like Shein and Halara have halted many influencer marketing campaigns due to soaring import costs, shifting their marketing budgets away from influencer partnerships to offset increased operational expenses.

Creators with audiences overseas face immediate risks. International followers might find American-made products too expensive due to tariffs, negatively impacting creators' global sales and revenue streams. Creators are being forced to overhaul their side businesses, from merchandise sales to dropshipping, to adapt quickly to these increased costs.

Platforms such as TikTok Shop are directly impacted as product prices rise. Concerns around slowing influencer marketing growth due to tariffs, making profitable commerce on platforms more challenging than ever. Smaller creators, who often rely on competitive pricing, are particularly vulnerable.

Moreover, creators involved in physical events or merchandise production face rising operational costs, limiting growth opportunities and potentially eroding profit margins. Tariffs targeting imports from countries like China and Bangladesh could "decimate" the influencer industry due to skyrocketing merchandise costs.

Even tech giants like Nintendo are responding: the company recently delayed U.S. pre-orders of the Nintendo Switch 2 to assess tariff impacts, raising concerns about possible price increases for gamers and everyday tech users of devices we hold near and dear.

How Can Creators Protect and Prepare?

  1. Stay Flexible and Pivot Quickly:
    Actively explore emerging opportunities, such as AI-driven content, speaking engagements, or consulting, which may offer steadier revenue in this economic environment.

  2. Diversify Revenue Streams:
    Avoid over-dependence on one income source. Consider affiliate marketing, digital products, memberships, and consulting to create financial resilience.

  3. Budget Strategically:
    Keep budgets lean, regularly reassess expenses, and make careful financial decisions to avoid substantial financial risks.

  4. Prioritize Mental Health and Self-Care:
    Economic uncertainties heighten stress. Invest in regular exercise, mindfulness, and breaks to maintain mental clarity, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.

  5. Take Consistent Action Daily:
    Consistent action—however small—helps maintain control and momentum. Addressing tasks daily reduces stress and fosters a proactive mindset.

  6. Collaborate and Partner With Intention:
    This is also the moment to elevate your platform by aligning with companies and partners who have the infrastructure, capital, and teams to help you scale. Whether it’s a brand that shares your values or a platform that supports creator monetization, the right collaboration can expand your reach and reduce operational burdens.

    Explore co-branded opportunities, licensing deals, or tech partnerships that allow you to stay creative while tapping into larger ecosystems. Don’t go it alone—grow with those who are built for scale.

🔥My Hot Take: Moments like this are challenging—but they’re also a chance to evolve. I’m leaning into where the momentum (and money) is: AI and creator economy content, paid speaking, and consulting. That’s where I’m seeing the most opportunity right now.

At the same time, I’m continuing to grow What’s Trending and my mental health initiative Creators 4 Mental Health—leaning into strategic partnerships to access the resources, support, and revenue needed to scale with intention.

Shira Lazar

I’m keeping expenses lean, taking smart, manageable bets, and investing in myself without overextending. Most importantly, I prioritize my mental health—managing stress and fear so I can stay focused, consistent, and creative.

Daily action keeps me grounded. It shifts me from anxious to empowered—and helps me focus on thriving, not just surviving.

ICYMI: President Trump extended the TikTok ban by another 75 days via executive order.

Other headlines to check out:

AI

Creator Economy

Web3

🎧 New Episode of The AI Download: AI Art Backlash, Digital Clones & The Future of Work – ft. Sandy Carter

In this week’s episode of The AI Download, I sit down with Unstoppable Domains COO and keynote speaker, Sandy Carter, to talk about her new book — AI First, Human Always.

We dive into: 
 -The AI art backlash (yes, Studio Ghibli drama!)
- Digital clones & creator rights
- AI wellness coaches & digital legacies
- And what it really means to stay human as AI changes everything

🎙️ Listen now to get caught up on everything you need to know about the AI-powered present—and future.
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