Managing Global Uncertainty: Strategies for Small Businesses

Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, yet they face unique challenges in today’s volatile global business environment. In the San Diego region, small businesses represent 98% of all firms and support roughly 60% of total employment. From navigating tariffs and shifting trade dynamics to responding to local market disruptions, small business leaders must be prepared to adapt and innovate.

Join the Ahlers Center for International Business in the University of San Diego’s Knauss School of Business for a timely seminar on Managing Global Uncertainty: Strategies for Small Businesses in a Shifting Economy. This conference will bring together business leaders, faculty, and students to explore practical strategies and actionable insights for thriving in an uncertain economic climate. Featuring keynote speaker Alan Gin, PhD, Associate Professor of Economics, who will present “Navigating the Storm: San Diego Small Business Resilience Amid Trade Uncertainty,” the event will discuss the global challenges shaping our region and highlight the critical role San Diego’s small businesses play in sustaining growth, opportunity, and resilience. Gin will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Nikia Clarke, PhD, Chief Strategy Officer of San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, and Executive Director of World Trade Center San Diego. Panelists will include:

• Orianna Bretschger, Cofounder and CEO, Aquacycl
• Mauricio Diaz, Vice President, JD Group Logistics
• Brian Miller, President, Geppetto’s Inc. and Board Chair Emeritus, The Good Toy Group
• Tom Ryan, Owner, Ryan Bros Coffee

Who Should Attend:
Small business owners, entrepreneurs, business leaders, faculty, and students from the San Diego region

Key Topics and Discussions:

- The impact of tariffs and global economic shifts on local businesses

- Resilience strategies for small businesses in uncertain times

- Opportunities for growth in San Diego’s unique binational region

- And more!