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, and how James uses practical frameworks like a one-page plan and the Eisenhower Matrix to keep teams focused. We also dig into why culture can make or break acquisitions, what makes creative agencies different from other businesses, and James’ grounded take on AI: powerful output, but the brief (and the business model) still matters.
If you’re an entrepreneur feeling overwhelmed, this conversation will help you simplify priorities, lead with clarity, and build a healthier path to growth.
The Rundown with Ramon - Ramon Ray - small business podcast for entrepreneurs