The Rundown with Ramon - small business growth podcast for entrepreneurs

Recorded live from a Starbucks, Ramon talks through a big entrepreneur question: should you really be waking up early, or is that just a productivity myth that can backfire? Along the way, he shares a “work in progress” mindset, a practical lesson on priorities from Davos, and why new AI-first products (including possible OpenAI hardware) are a signal worth watching.

In this interview, Ramon Ray talks with Ebun Onagorua, Global Head of Brand and Product Marketing at Square, about what small businesses really need to grow in twenty-twenty-six.  They break down Block vs. Square, why payments are only one piece of the puzzle, and what’s happening behind the counter that customers never see, from inventory and margins to loyalty and customer experience.  Ebun shar...

Today’s Rundown is all about disruption and staying ahead. Ramon unpacks major headlines, from Google’s search monopoly appeal to AI creating new “white space” roles, YouTube adjusting monetization rules, and Walmart teaming up with Google for AI-powered retail. He closes with a sharp lesson from the grocery aisle: when big brands get stagnant, challengers move in fast, and the same thing happens...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray breaks down four business headlines and then tackles a topic many leaders avoid: faith in business. Ramon shares why companies like Netflix keep hunting for new value, why Verizon’s outage response is a lesson in owning mistakes, and why Spotify’s price increase reminds us to raise prices thoughtfully. Then Ramon shifts to the bigger question: D...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , Ramon Ray explores the power of making one small, intentional change to create meaningful growth in business and life. From incremental personal habits to big lessons from AI, technology outages, and corporate strategy, Ramon challenges entrepreneurs to stop chasing massive overnight transformations and instead focus on consistent, achievable progress. A...

What does winning really look like—and who gets to define it? In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , Ramon Ray challenges entrepreneurs and professionals to rethink success on their own terms. From personal growth and discipline to business models, mindset shifts, and redefining goals in different seasons of life, this conversation blends real-world business headlines with deep reflection. If...

In this special live edition of The Rundown with Ramon Ray , Ramon shares a deeply personal and practical roadmap for why—and how—2026 can be your best year ever. Blending business wisdom, mindset shifts, faith, and real-life experiences, Ramon walks entrepreneurs through the importance of continuous learning, intentional evolution, and relationship-driven growth. This episode is part strategy ses...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , Ramon Ray breaks down why mindset is the ultimate driver of success—for business, leadership, health, and personal growth. Using real-world headlines from major brands and personal reflection, Ramon challenges entrepreneurs to rethink how clarity, confidence, innovation, and discipline shape outcomes more than tactics alone. Listeners are reminded that e...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon Ray , Ramon breaks down what’s really happening in the job market, why AI-powered roles are exploding, and what entrepreneurs should learn from OpenAI, Alphabet, and Apple. He then dives deep into practical LinkedIn marketing strategies—DMs, newsletters, patience, and pitching with integrity—plus a powerful reflection on authenticity, leadership, and build...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , Ramon Ray blends timely business headlines with a powerful personal message: you don’t need massive resources or fame to make a meaningful impact. From minimum wage increases and AI-driven robotaxis to brand nostalgia and everyday kindness, Ramon challenges entrepreneurs to think bigger by acting smaller—one intentional choice at a time. This episode is...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , Ramon Ray shares real-world lessons from a website crash, billion-dollar movie franchises, and emerging AI trends to challenge entrepreneurs with one powerful question: Are you doing the same things while expecting different results? From the power of simplicity to risk, metrics, and intentional change, this episode is a mindset and strategy reset for bu...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , Ramon Ray sits down with Adobe Principal Product Marketing Manager Tulika Gupta to break down how Adobe is rethinking creativity, documents, and AI for modern business users. The conversation goes beyond design. It focuses on how entrepreneurs, teams, and knowledge workers can move faster without sacrificing brand consistency, legal safety, or workflow c...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , Ramon Ray breaks down major business headlines—from Tesla vs. Waymo robotaxis to NVIDIA’s $20B acquisition—while grounding them in a powerful personal message: progress happens when you compete with yourself, not everyone else. Blending real-world business news with mindset, discipline, and leadership lessons, Ramon challenges entrepreneurs to show up da...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , small business expert Ramon Ray breaks down powerful lessons entrepreneurs can learn from big brands like Lululemon and Instacart , while asking a deeper, more personal question: Are you actually prepared for entrepreneurship? Ramon explores why innovation requires timing, why not every business idea should be forced to work, and how clarity, measurement...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , Ramon Ray delivers a powerful reminder for entrepreneurs: no one controls your success but you. Ramon breaks down why personal branding is more important than ever in a distracted, AI-driven economy, how AI is reshaping search and visibility, and what small businesses can learn from unexpected places—from Wall Street Journal insights to small-town museum...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , I sat down with James Orsini—President of Startup Operations at VaynerX and a longtime leader across finance, operations, and marketing—to talk about what it really takes to scale a business, build a strong culture, and lead teams without panic. We cover the difference between “growing” and “swelling,” why founders must learn to release work to scale, an...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , Ramon Ray unpacks three words every entrepreneur needs to think about right now: seasons, runway, and learning . Drawing from a real moment doing community outreach with his church, Ramon explains why obsessing over immediate sales can blind you to what really drives growth— awareness, trust, and momentum . He also reacts to news about American Airlines...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray breaks down business lessons hiding inside today’s headlines—starting with the big takeaway from Ben & Jerry’s: when you sell your company, you may be selling your ability to protect the mission, the message, and the decisions that made the brand special. Ramon then connects that to a wider reality entrepreneurs face today: platforms, AI too...

Today on The Rundown with Ramon , we’re talking about the backlash to AI-generated content—and why “AI slop” can quietly train your audience to tune you out. Ramon breaks down what brands are doing to signal authenticity, and how small business owners can use AI without losing the human edge that builds trust. Plus: a strategic mindset shift inspired by a “what if” scenario—Netflix acquiring Warne...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , Ramon shares surprising lessons he learned hosting his niece’s baby shower—proof that “small stages” still require big hosting skill. He breaks down how energy, humor, audience participation, and client check-ins can turn any event into a memorable experience. Then he covers major business headlines: ServiceNow’s reported talks to acquire Armis for $7B,...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , Ramon Ray sits down with Nicola Corzine, Executive Director of the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center , to talk about what entrepreneurship really looks like beyond headlines and hype. Nicola shares her personal journey as the daughter of an immigrant entrepreneur, a founder whose company was acquired by Microsoft, and now a leader supporting more than 125,00...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , small business expert Ramon Ray gets real about a tough season in business—and why he’s still fired up for 2026. He shares how deep relationships, strategic collaborations, and a strong network keep him going when revenue feels slow and doubt creeps in. Ramon also dives into why small businesses can’t ignore cybersecurity, the power of philanthropy and g...

On this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , James Cuthbert from Fiserv/Clover joins Ramon Ray to break down what most entrepreneurs are missing when they think about payments, platforms, and people. James explains how Clover has evolved into a full operating system for small businesses, why hiring for attitude matters more than résumé, and how community-driven growth creates long-term success. We...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , small business expert Ramon Ray takes you on a rapid-fire tour of mindset, marketing, and money habits every entrepreneur needs. He opens with a painful tech mishap—accidentally deleting his Asana account—and turns it into a lesson on risk, responsibility, and paying attention to the warning signs before you click “delete.” From there, Ramon shares his o...

In today’s episode of The Rundown with Ramon for small business owners and entrepreneurs , we dive into the realities of entrepreneurship—from why small businesses fail to how to protect your company from cyber threats. Ramon breaks down the “red zone” mindset inspired by Seth Godin, explores why so many Americans are launching businesses right now, and shares a powerful insight from Steven Bartle...