In this episode, I sat down with business continuity expert David Barnes to talk about what it really takes to build a resilient business in 2025—especially when the economy feels unpredictable. We broke down resilience as more than “bouncing back.” It’s being prepared to bend without breaking by putting financial buffers and response systems in place before disruption hits. I also wanted to highlight the biggest planning mistake I see too often: waiting to look at your numbers until there’s a problem. David shared three practical tools I want every small business owner to implement: cash flow forecasting (looking 3–6 months ahead), an emergency operating reserve (aiming for at least three months of essential expenses), and scenario planning. We walked through scenario planning step-by-step—choosing realistic risks like a revenue dip, supply chain delay, or rent increase, estimating the impact, and writing down responses like reducing overhead or renegotiating contracts. If you feel overwhelmed, my takeaway is simple: uncertainty is permanent, but unpreparedness is optional. Start with facts, build clarity, and layer your resilience one decision at a time.