Business success isn’t just about grinding out hours—it’s about making smart, strategic decisions in a playing field that’s far from level. If you’re a small business owner, you’re not just building revenue—you’re fighting to survive in an environment increasingly tilted toward large corporations.

One recent example proves how stacked the deck really is.

The FTC has charged a major distributor with violating anti-trust laws by allegedly providing preferential pricing to giants like Costco and Kroger. While massive chains benefit from sweetheart deals, smaller businesses are being charged more for the exact same products.

This isn’t just about unfair pricing—it’s a direct assault on fair competition, the cornerstone of a thriving free market. When access, pricing, and opportunity are dictated by corporate favoritism, the entire ecosystem suffers. And if you think this can’t happen in your industry, think again.

What This Means for Small Businesses

When one business pays significantly more than another for the same inventory, it’s nearly impossible to compete. Your profit margins shrink, your prices look inflated compared to big-box competitors, and your customers vanish. That’s not capitalism—that’s sabotage.

The consequences ripple beyond your balance sheet. Every time a local business closes its doors, the community loses more than jobs. It loses identity, independence, and options. Corporate consolidation may streamline supply chains, but it guts neighborhoods.

As FTC Chair Lina Khan told CNBC:

“When local businesses get squeezed because of unfair pricing practices that favor large chains, Americans see fewer choices and pay higher prices — and communities suffer.”

If we want to preserve fair competition, small business owners need to stop fighting alone.

Stand Up, Document, and Act

Effective advocacy goes beyond complaints. It’s about documentation and strategy.

Start by keeping detailed records of pricing disparities, delivery timelines, contract terms, and vendor treatment. These aren’t just internal metrics—they become evidence that supports regulatory investigations or litigation when needed.

Next, build alliances. Your voice alone can be dismissed. But when you join forces with other small businesses through local chambers of commerce, industry associations, or national advocacy groups, your influence multiplies.

These organizations can:

• Help coordinate advocacy campaigns
• Offer media and policy expertise
• Connect you to legal and regulatory advisors
• Elevate local issues to national attention

Remember, fair competition doesn’t protect itself. It must be defended by those who value it most—you.

Join the Fight for Market Equality

What happened with the FTC and the distributor wasn’t a fluke. It was the result of sustained pressure from small business coalitions that refused to stay silent.

Small businesses have legal rights, not just slogans. The Robinson-Patman Act and other anti-trust laws exist for a reason. But without organized effort, those laws stay buried in legal textbooks while big corporations run unchecked.

This year, commit to protecting what you’ve built. That means:

• Joining your local business alliance
• Backing advocacy groups that fight for you
• Speaking up when you see unjust practices
• Documenting everything to build a case

Why This Matters More Than Ever

The political climate is shifting, consumer values are evolving, and monopolistic behavior is under renewed scrutiny. Small and mid-sized businesses are being squeezed from every side—by rising costs, corporate consolidation, and increasingly complex regulations designed to favor the giants.

Don’t wait for another business like yours to get crushed before you act. Make fair competition your mission. When small businesses thrive, everyone wins: communities are strengthened, customers get better service, and freedom in the marketplace is preserved. You are the firewall against economic tyranny.

At Built to Exit, we believe that your business isn’t just an income stream—it’s a force for economic justice. And the more structured, documented, and systemized you are, the more powerful your voice becomes. With the right systems in place, you can scale with integrity, hire with confidence, and prepare to exit on your terms—not theirs.

This moment requires leaders. Not just in politics or media—but in business. The world needs more owners who are built to last, built to lead, and built to exit with impact.

Want to dig deeper?
Check out Jason Sisneros’ latest podcasts and blogs at JasonSisneros.com for battle-tested strategies, bold commentary, and a roadmap to win in this new economy.