Congresswoman Shontel Brown & Proof Culture: Tackling Tariffs and Tech at Tri‑C Expo

Date: May 3, 2025
Location: Tri-C’s Corporate College, Cleveland, Ohio
Watch: 2025 full video / 2025 recap | 2024 recap

On May 3, 2025, Proof Culture’s founder, Richard Brown, joined a powerful panel at Congresswoman Shontel Brown’s Small Business Expo, held at Tri-C’s Corporate College in Cleveland. Now in its second year participating, Proof Culture returned not just as a local success story, but as a thought leader in the space where culture meets commerce.

This year’s event brought together a dynamic mix of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and policymakers to address the most pressing challenges facing small businesses today—including the growing impact of tariffs and the rise of AI tools for operational efficiency.

During the panel, Richard spoke candidly about the importance of understanding your margins. He emphasized that while small business owners can’t always control policy, they can control how prepared they are. “If you start with healthy margins and have a clear handle on your cost structure,” he said, “you’ll be able to adjust when external factors shift.”

He also shared how Proof Culture has been using artificial intelligence not as a buzzword—but as a practical tool. With the help of their internal AI assistant, Lisa, the team leverages AI to interpret business data more effectively, spot trends, and make informed decisions that keep operations lean and agile.

Proof Culture’s presence at the event reflected its broader mission: to empower Sneakerheads to step into their greatness while equipping small business owners with the tools and mindset to navigate a constantly evolving economic landscape.

The team is grateful to Congresswoman Shontel Brown and her staff for continuing to center small business voices, especially in their own backyard. Events like this prove that when culture, policy, and innovation come together, real progress is possible.