Over the past week, some crazy stuff has been happening.

Trump took over as President of the United States, reinstated military personnel who had been dismissed and released people from prison… while Biden attempted to issue pardons for things people have not yet been convicted for…  We certainly live in interesting times. 

But that’s not the big news everyone is talking about…something else stole the spotlight. The big TikTok ban. Last Sunday, laws came into play that meant TikTok went dark across America. Influencers were panicking and scrambling to move their following to other platforms. People who’d built empires – brands, incomes, entire businesses – on the back of dance trends and viral moments found it all on shaky ground overnight. One day, they’re riding high on millions of followers. The next? They’re staring at a blank screen and wondering, “What now?”

Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m no TikTok fan. Social media’s not really my cup of tea. But this whole situation got me thinking about something we can all relate to in business:control. The truth is, in business, just like in life, there will always be things we can’t control. Governments can ban apps. Customers can change buying habits. Economies can wobble. It’s why we need to build businesses that don’t rely on one single point of failure. Businesses that can weather storms, dodge the unexpected, and carry on when the rug gets pulled from under us.

Here in freight, we know this all too well. Ports close. Strikes happen. A sudden hurricane can throw shipping routes into chaos. But after 35+ years, I’ve learned this: success comes from planning, adapting and never putting all your eggs in one basket.

For the influencers left reeling from the TikTok drama, there’s a tough road ahead. And who knows? Maybe Trump’s plan will swoop in and save the day. But I wouldn’t count on it. As for me? I’ll stick with building Millennium Cargo on a solid foundation, not fleeting trends.

What about you? What’s your “TikTok”? That one thing in your business you couldn’t afford to lose? Hit reply and let me know… It’s a tough question, but an important one to ask. Because in business, the strongest players aren’t the ones who avoid surprises – they’re the ones who survive them.