The Rundown with Ramon - Ramon Ray - small business podcast for entrepreneurs

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 tools, and brand names are all shifting fast—so small business owners must stay alert, stay flexible, and stay in control of what matters most.Along the way, Ramon reacts to Meta encouraging employees to use outside AI tools, unpacks the confusion and legal fights around X/Twitter branding, and talks about Instagram Reels coming to TV screens through Amazon Fire TV—another reminder that the “attention economy” is expanding into every screen we own.

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 Warner Bros—and the lesson that the biggest winners don’t just compete on price and features… they reposition the battlefield.And if you’ve heard “email newsletters are dying,” Ramon explains why that’s not true, why email is still a critical asset you can own, and how to think about frequency without fear. We wrap with a practical reminder: create VIP, red-carpet moments for your customers by segmenting, rewarding loyalty, and building experiential touchpoints people remember.

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, iRobot/Roomba filing Chapter 11, and the trend of people over 40 returning to school amid career disruption and AI-driven workplace shifts.

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 125,000 entrepreneurs globally.The conversation focuses on access, mindset, and strategy. Nicola explains why many capable founders never even see themselves as entrepreneurs, how under-resourced business owners struggle more with networks and confidence than talent, and why success often comes down to focusing on the right milestones instead of endless task lists. She also offers a grounded take on venture capital, going public, and designing a business that fits your life—not someone else’s expectations.This episode is especially relevant for small business owners, Main Street entrepreneurs, and founders who want to grow sustainably while staying true to their values.Key TakeawaysEntrepreneurship is not limited to tech startups or venture-backed foundersUnderserved entrepreneurs often lack access, networks, and belief—not abilityStrategic milestones matter more than being busy with tasksRaising capital and going public are options, not requirementsMain Street businesses and high-growth startups are both essential to the economyAbout the GuestNicola Corzine is the Executive Director of the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, a nonprofit organization that provides free education, mentorship, and resources to entrepreneurs around the world. She is also a former founder whose company was acquired by Microsoft.About the HostRamon Ray is a small business expert, entrepreneur, and publisher of ZoneofGenius.com. He hosts The Rundown with Ramon, where he explores real-world insights on business, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

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 giving, and why you must build assets that you truly own instead of relying only on rented platforms.Pulling insights from leaders like Mackenzie Scott, Seth Godin, and Codie Sanchez, Ramon talks about smart risk-taking, buying and building businesses, and the importance of in-person rooms and community builders. He closes by sharing how he’s restructuring his own business with better systems, sales processes, and more intentional outreach—and invites listeners into his world through ZoneofGenius.com and Office Hours with Ramon. You can expect mindset shifts, practical challenges, and a clear reminder: your relationships, ownership of your platform, and willingness to keep going are the real competitive edge.

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 also explore the ongoing importance of organic social media and why cash flow—not ideas—is what determines business survival.This conversation is packed with practical insights for entrepreneurs, local business owners, creators, and anyone looking to grow smarter in 2025.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why your POS can be your most powerful business toolThe hiring framework “happy and good,” inspired by Barbara Corcoran and LL Cool JHow small business owners can use social media more effectivelyThe real story behind cash flow problemsWhy investing in community and generosity builds long-term successHosted by Ramon Ray, bestselling author and leading small business expert.

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 own journey of going back to “Piano Lesson 101” after 40 years of playing, as a reminder that growth requires humility, practice, and a willingness to be a beginner again. Ramon also unpacks insights from Seth Godin on why building your own assets—your website, email list, podcast, and brand—is more powerful than relying solely on social media “rented land.” He dives into better ways to work by building boundaries that protect your energy, your family, and your peace, and then shifts into practical marketing by highlighting seven ways companies are optimizing SEO (including AI SEO and even Reddit). Finally, he tackles frugality versus cheapness, how consumers are stretching every dollar, and the seven questions every leader should ask before launching a major initiative. Throughout the episode, Ramon weaves in encouragement to keep going, keep growing, and remember: who loses if you don’t win?

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 Bartlett: most of your problems aren’t new, they’re old problems wearing new clothes.Ramon also unpacks the branding lesson hiding in a Goldbelly ad, reveals the 10 biggest reasons startups flame out, and shares practical ways to stay secure, stay sane, and stay successful in your business journey. Whether you're a new founder, a growing entrepreneur, or a seasoned leader, this episode is packed with clarity, mindset shifts, and tactical steps to grow stronger.How to protect your small business from cyber threats (Bitdefender insights)The 10 biggest reasons new businesses fail—and how to avoid themWhy visuals and brand signals matter more than you think (Goldbelly example)Seth Godin’s “Red Zone” concept and how entrepreneurs can avoid burnoutWhy so many Americans are becoming founders (and what it means for you)Ramon's recommended reading list for new entrepreneursSteven Bartlett’s framework: why your problems aren’t unique—and how to solve them fasterThe three focus areas Ramon is doubling down on in 2025Why entrepreneurship is not glamorous, but absolutely worth itBitdefender cybersecurity for entrepreneursBooks for new founders: Profit First, The E-Myth, Traction, This Is Marketing, Grit, Celebrity CEOOffice Hours with Ramon: weekly coaching for entrepreneursHosted by small business expert Ramon Ray, The Rundown breaks down the latest in entrepreneurship, mindset, marketing, tech, and what it really takes to grow a business today.Subscribe at ZoneOfGenius.com and rate the show on Apple or Spotify to support the movement.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeResources MentionedAbout The Rundown with Ramon

Zoho One 2025 represents a major shift in how small businesses can manage their entire workflow. In this episode, Ramon Ray talks with Zoho’s Director of Strategic Growth, Ali Shabdar, about the platform’s new unified experience, its focus on context-driven productivity, and how Zia AI is becoming a practical, everyday assistant for business owners.The conversation goes beyond features. Ali explains Zoho’s long-term philosophy—slow, sustainable innovation rooted in privacy, stability, and real business needs. If you're tired of app overload, curious about AI’s true value, or exploring a more integrated tech stack for your business, this episode offers clarity and direction.What You’ll LearnHow Zoho One became an operating system for businessWhy context matters more than individual appsHow Zia AI brings your CRM, finance, and operations into one viewZoho’s cautious approach to AI—and why it benefits your businessPractical ways to reduce tech chaos and improve productivity

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray breaks down the hidden habits that hold entrepreneurs back — especially the danger of being “too thirsty” for the sale. Ramon explains why desperation pushes prospects away, how unpreparedness causes entrepreneurs to fumble big opportunities, and why visibility and trust must come long before the ask. He also unpacks powerful business lessons from the week’s headlines, including what Cloudflare’s recent outage teaches us about rebuilding trust, why small businesses must diversify clients using the USPS–Amazon shake-up as a case study, and how Netflix’s long-game persistence is a blueprint for underdog success.Ramon also dives into cybersecurity fundamentals that every small business must adopt, along with the importance of entering the right rooms, partnering strategically, and knowing when it’s time to end a collaboration. Whether you’re trying to land more clients, avoid risky business dependencies, improve your systems, or simply grow your entrepreneurial mindset, this episode gives you the clarity, confidence, and practical coaching to make your next move smarter — not thirstier.If you want, I can also create:A shorter YouTube descriptionA set of Spotify chapter markersSocial media promotional copy for this episodeJust say the word.Podcast Description – The Rundown with Ramon: “Are You Too Thirsty?”