Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Duncan.
Hi Joseph, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a former banker. I spent over 25 years as a lender and relationship manager, working with all types of businesses and providing advice and counsel to business owners. I was the type of banker who was more focused on people than numbers and that has been a consistent theme throughout my career. Eight years ago, I founded Assured Consultants Inc. along with two partners who had similar backgrounds. Assured Consultants’ mission is to be a partner for undercapitalized and often overlooked small, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses. We know that world-class business advice can play a crucial role in a business’s success, and it is often difficult for smaller businesses to access these resources.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Entrepreneurship is a journey. We like to say that we are entrepreneurs who coach entrepreneurs. Some of the mistakes we’ve made along the way have become lessons we now share with those we coach. This life is not for the faint of heart, but we’ve survived the usual pitfalls that any business faces, as well as a global pandemic, and we’re proud to be standing strong.
As you know, we’re big fans of Assured Consultants, Inc.. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Assured Consultants, Inc. is a small shop as consulting firms go, but we view that as an advantage. We can be laser-focused on the needs of our clients. There is no red tape; most of our relationships are 1 to 1
We believe in collaborative partnerships, working closely with clients to understand their goals and challenges.
Our approach combines deep industry knowledge with innovative strategies to drive sustainable growth and profitability.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next five years, small businesses are likely to face significant headwinds due to increasingly unpredictable economic policies, particularly around tariffs and trade. Sudden changes in tariff structures can disrupt supply chains, increase costs for raw materials and goods, and create uncertainty in pricing strategies. Unlike large corporations with the resources to hedge against such volatility or shift production globally, small businesses often operate with tighter margins and less flexibility. As a result, they are more vulnerable to economic shocks and find it harder to adapt when trade policies shift abruptly or become politically charged. Small businesses are also more likely to be affected by shifts in consumer confidence and spending habits driven by these factors.
Compounding this challenge is an unfavorable global response to these policies, which could lead to strained trade relationships and reduced market access for American small businesses. Retaliatory tariffs or restrictions from international partners may close doors to key export markets just as small enterprises are looking to grow globally. Additionally, political instability or cooling diplomatic ties could make it riskier to engage in cross-border partnerships or investments. For small business owners, this kind of uncertainty not only affects current operations but also complicates long-term planning, hiring, and capital investment. Without a stable and predictable economic framework, entrepreneurship becomes a higher-stakes gamble rather than a sustainable growth engine.
Pricing:
- Free Consultations
- Project Based Pricing
- Hourly Pricing
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.assuredconsults.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/assuredconsults/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AssuredConsults
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/assured-consultants-inc/
