Tariffs Trigger Sudden Collapse of U.S.-Based HR Firm's Canadian Client Base

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - April 11, 2025 - PRLog -- Small business owner in DC area loses six figures in revenue overnight—calls for greater visibility into real-world fallout of trade policy shifts.

Alexandria, VA — April 11, 2025 — In the wake of recent tariff changes affecting cross-border business between the United States and Canada, a U.S.-based small business has experienced a catastrophic loss in revenue—despite years of delivering high-quality, high-impact services.

Marilyn Charlton, a fractional HR leader and founder of PeopleBridge Advisory, lost more than $100,000 in client engagements over the course of just a few weeks. All were Canadian companies who had been actively engaged or scheduled to start new work with the U.S. firm.

"Not a single client canceled because of dissatisfaction," Charlton said. "Each one told me they loved the work I did—but the tariffs forced them to pull back from any non-mission-critical spending with U.S.-based vendors. I became a casualty of trade policy overnight."

With more than 20 years of experience in HR leadership, Charlton has served companies ranging from early-stage startups to global enterprises. The impact of these cancellations is not just a financial setback—it's a stark example of how macroeconomic decisions can devastate small business owners who depend on cross-border partnerships.

As small businesses continue to navigate uncertain economic terrain, Charlton is calling on policymakers, journalists, and advocacy groups to pay closer attention to how trade decisions reverberate through the small business economy.

"This isn't just about me," she added. "I know I'm not the only one. But these stories rarely make the headlines. They should."

PeopleBridge Advisory is actively seeking new U.S.-based client partnerships and is available for interviews, commentary, and guest features to discuss the real-world impact of trade policy on small service-based firms.

https://peoplebridge-advisory.com/