The Rundown with Ramon - small business growth podcast for entrepreneurs

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , Ramon Ray broadcasts from Orlando and breaks down why entrepreneurs must get back to real-world connections. He shares the power of small in-person meetups, explains why your social media reach is stronger than it looks, and explores how AI is reshaping how we buy — from Walmart’s ChatGPT checkout to smarter collaborations like Spotify x Netflix. Tune in...

Entrepreneurs: stop building in a bubble. In this episode, Ramon breaks down when to hire a coach vs. a consultant, how to vet programs (before you spend $5K–$30K), and the exact steps to get ROI—define outcomes, do the work, and choose a coach with real receipts. He also shares his own investments (including a $30K year-long program) and why guided accountability accelerates growth. Plus, a quick...

Ramon Ray shares the real “unstoppable habits” behind consistent, visible success—show up more than most, self-promote with integrity, and protect your energy by saying no and resting. Then he pulls bite-sized lessons from brand headlines: Disney’s pricing power, Netflix’s stickiness play with living-room games, Bed Bath & Beyond’s franchise reboot, and Google’s AI-infused Pixel lineup—each wi...

Live from Newark Airport at 4:35 a.m., Ramon Ray shares a high-energy mini-masterclass on creating your own luck. From a powerful conversation with a Ukrainian Uber driver to practical “show up” systems, this episode equips entrepreneurs to turn everyday moments into growth: engage first, enrich others, and make contact exchange frictionless. You’ll walk away with simple scripts, repeatable habits...

Show Up When You Don’t Feel Like It: Free Upgrades, Founder Grit, and Turning Lows Into Launchpads On today’s Rundown, Ramon gets real about pushing through the “blah” days, explains how free upgrades convert existing trust into recurring revenue, and shares why your past is context—not a cage. Plus, a founder spotlight on GigSalad’s Mark Steiner and practical steps to protect your growing brand....

In this inspiring episode, Ramon Ray sits down with Mark Steiner , the cofounder of GigSalad , to unpack how a small idea turned into one of the internet’s most trusted marketplaces for performers and event pros. Mark opens up about his adoption story , early years in theater and film, and how he went from managing talent to building a tech company that stayed profitable—without outside funding. H...

Ramon Ray breaks down why a TikTok sale won’t change your growth strategy, how to trim AI tool bloat, and why most founders should chase customers—not investors. We dive into Lucy Guo’s momentum mindset, Carnival’s premium-pricing playbook, Walmart’s AI-plus-talent model, and a quick cybersecurity gut-check for SMBs. You’ll learn: how to prioritize owned media, when to raise prices (and earn it),...

On this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , small business expert Ramon Ray explores what it really means to create value in business. From Seth Godin’s wisdom on value creation to Zoho’s event production lessons, Ramon unpacks how to shift how you show up as a leader, build business flywheels, and protect yourself from scams. Plus, insights from OpenAI’s monetization move and why events are about...

On today’s Rundown, Ramon tackles the AI actor debate (hello, Tilly) and why entrepreneurs must compete on value, not sympathy. He breaks down how a Shark Tank rejection became a $2.5M success—and the systems, culture, and hiring discipline that make growth real. Plus, a timely reminder to pre-book life: cruises, family time, and memory-making on purpose. Perfect for founders who want both revenue...

Are AI glasses really the next must-have tool for entrepreneurs? How do you “network up” without being awkward? When is the right time to pivot your business? Plus—why choosing the right kind of “better” matters, and what chronic lateness might say about your leadership. Don't miss out - www. ZoneofGenius.com In this episode, Ramon Ray breaks down 5 big ideas every entrepreneur should know: ✅...

The Rundown with Ramon — Today’s episode breaks the money “rat race,” shows how to win in an AI-rewritten job market, and urges you to act now (without rushing). Ramon unpacks Cody Sanchez’s first-principles money playbook, why AI will reshape every role (and how small teams can use it to grow), Seth Godin’s “start where you are” challenge, and Jason Fried’s protect-the-floor advice for entreprene...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , Ramon shares how a simple “good morning” led to an unexpected chat with the former CEO of Hyundai USA—and why staying open to serendipity is a real business strategy. He examines Amex’s Platinum fee hike to spotlight premium pricing for small businesses, breaks down why SEO still matters as AI search rises, and lays out practical steps to spot voice deep...

Live from San Diego at 4:30 a.m., Ramon Ray explores how to sharpen your “business brain,” why social media can create mental flab, and what entrepreneurs can do today to harden their cybersecurity. He unpacks five compounding habits (inspired by Cody Sanchez)—take risks, sell daily, rise early, cut distractions, and keep your word—and debates whether Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses help or hijack yo...

In this fast-hit episode, Ramon pulls three levers you can use today: timeless business lessons from Martha Stewart’s documentary, how to escape the “single-axis fallacy” and design for both/and (family and fitness, profit and growth), and a tiny systems upgrade that can make your computer—and your workday—fly. Plus, why AI app rankings don’t matter as much as your daily AI habits. Brought to you...

On this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , Ramon Ray explores the “silent stories” that shape how entrepreneurs lead, why soft skills now outperform technical skills, and the latest YouTube creator tools you should be using. He also shares his experience using GigSalad for lead generation and a powerful lesson from Zoho’s Ali Shabdar on why scaling down makes your business stronger and more resil...

Ramon Ray talks with Ali Shabdar of Zoho about why small and mid-sized businesses must be ready to scale down as well as scale up . They cover cash flow triage, technology elasticity, and how to prepare for downturns without living in fear. Ali shares practical frameworks for scenario planning, vendor and employee communication, and the role of SaaS and AI in keeping businesses flexible. See the f...

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon , host Ramon Ray talks with Ashish Gupta , founder of ScaleUpExec, about what it really takes to scale a small or mid-sized business to eight and nine figures. Ashish explains why scaling isn’t for everyone, how business growth happens in steps, and why founders must sometimes step aside to let the right leaders take the company forward. He also shares his...

Events aren’t just about venues, food, or signage—they’re about experiences. In this conversation, Ramon Ray (Publisher, ZoneofGenius.com) sits down with Sai Bhavithran Kumar, Business Operations Leader at Zoho , who has managed nearly 780 events across the Americas . Sai shares what he’s learned from running events big and small—and how entrepreneurs can use events as a tool for connection, trust...

The power of upselling is an underused secret for business. It's all about the TRUST you earn with your customers and how you can provide them MORE of what they want. Gap and Old Navy is now selling cosmetics, lessons we can learn as well. Brought to you by Bitdefender - secure your business - www. Bitdefender.com/ramonray I'd love to know how have you succeeded in giving your customers MO...

Search is evolving fast. Should small businesses still focus on SEO—or shift to leveraging AI search engines like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity? In this conversation, Ramon Ray, small business expert, motivational speaker and publisher of ZoneofGenius.com talks with Pierre DeBois (Zimana Analytics) and Favour Obasi-ike (Work and Play Entertainment) about the future of search and practical tips f...

Ramon Ray sits down with Elyse Stoltz Dickerson , CEO and co-founder of Eosera , to talk about her journey from corporate executive to founder of a thriving healthcare company. From winning $50,000 in a pitch competition to landing CVS as her first major retail partner, Elyse shares the highs and lows of building a national brand. She also reveals her best pitching advice, the lessons she learned...

Why You’re in Business: Lessons From a Restaurant That’s “Figuring It Out” Starting a business isn’t easy—you rarely have it all figured out. In this video, Ramon Ray shares the story of Buckeyes Scratch Kitchen, a small Ohio restaurant that turned brunch sing-alongs into a sold-out success. From customer experience to knowing your audience, this story is packed with practical lessons every small...

Never Forget Why You’re in Business Why did you start your business? Was it by choice, or did circumstances push you into it? In this episode, we unpack the deeper “why” behind entrepreneurship—and why it matters more than the daily grind. Don't miss out - www. ZoneofGenius.com/subscribe You’ll hear practical reminders about choosing the right customers, building profitable and repeatable reve...

Your office isn’t just where you work—it shapes how you work. In this episode, Ramon Ray shares practical tips for creating a home office (or workspace) that fuels focus, creativity, and productivity. From choosing a supportive chair and desk to deciding if you need a podcast mic, extra monitor, or video backdrop, your setup matters. We talk about: Setting up your office for your type of work The...

Every entrepreneur needs a CRM—but with so many options, how do you know which one is right for your business? In this video, Ramon Ray dives deep into the real feedback from 80+ entrepreneurs about Go High Level (GHL) —one of the most talked-about all-in-one CRM platforms. ✅ What entrepreneurs LOVE about Go High Level ✅ The biggest complaints and challenges (learning curve, support, design) ✅...