

The Rundown with Ramon - Ramon Ray - small business podcast for entrepreneurs
Ramon Ray, ZoneofGenius.com
The Rundown with Ramon by Ramon Ray, small business podcast for entrepreneurs - strategies and tips to start, grow and scale your business. Don't miss out - subscribe to this podcast and ZoneofGenius.com - www.zoneofgenius.com/subscribe
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 10, 2025 • 21min
VC funding is probably not the best option for your business
Ramon Ray unpacks a jam-packed episode for builders and buyers: why delaying VC can preserve your freedom and upside, what Cody Sanchez’s community is teaching about acquiring “boring” businesses, how success can reshape friendships, and the non-negotiables of small-business cybersecurity—plus a teen founder’s board-game breakout. Tune in for practical playbooks, mindset shifts, and real-world examples you can use this week.Topics: bootstrapping vs. VC, MVP and revenue-first growth, Main Street acquisitions, relationships and trust at higher income levels, baseline cybersecurity, and the power of distribution.

Nov 7, 2025 • 20min
How do you ask for help and not feel like you owe anything?
On this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray shares a down-to-earth playbook for entrepreneurs: prepare for the unexpected, ask for help without hesitation, and build relationships everywhere you go. You’ll learn practical moves for financial cushions, cybersecurity basics, operational backups, smarter networking, and knowing when to pivot or stop—so you can lead with confidence when plans change.

Nov 3, 2025 • 22min
How to network in any room - with strangers
Ramon Ray breaks down simple, high-impact networking moves to win any room: lead with a smile, share one human detail, invite others in, and be the connector. He explains why trust—under attack in an AI-saturated world—must be protected with slower, more human verification. Plus, a quick look at the rise of home robots and the one weekly sales habit (a disciplined pipeline review) that keeps revenue predictable and growing. Perfect for entrepreneurs who want more conversations, more credibility, and more closed deals.

Oct 31, 2025 • 20min
Why paper business cards are so powerful
Ramon Ray dives into why well-designed business cards still open doors, how to turn self-doubt into leadership fuel, what YouTube’s AI-driven restructuring means for creators and brands, and the most useful updates from Canva’s latest keynote. Plus: a reminder that cybersecurity is everyday business—and a personal story about recommitting to structured learning.You’ll learn:• How to use business cards as a strategic follow-up tool• A simple framework to convert doubt into action• How to stand out as AI makes video creation cheaper and faster• The Canva features that help small teams ship faster (Video 2.0, forms, HTML email)• Practical security habits every business needsPerfect for: entrepreneurs, creators, and small teams who want more trust, faster content, and stronger systems—without extra complexity.

Oct 30, 2025 • 24min
Why double-down on your top 2 strengths?
A candid, fast-moving episode of The Rundown with Ramon on choosing imperfect action, fortifying your small business against rising cyber risks, and translating Big Tech headlines into practical founder moves. Ramon talks purpose vs. imposter feelings, why to double down on your top 2–3 strengths, how to pivot with urgency, and what GM’s layoffs signal about knowing your numbers. Listen for mindset fuel, AI-era strategy, and a clear push to make next week your most intentional one yet.

Oct 30, 2025 • 55min
Be Yourself at Work - Claude Silver interview with Ramon Ray
Ramon Ray, publisher of ZoneofGenius.com interviews Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, about her new book Be Yourself at Work, joined by entrepreneurs Kedma Ough, Alexandria Nicole, and Tina Wilson. They discuss emotional intelligence, leadership, trauma, empathy, and building cultures of care.

Oct 29, 2025 • 17min
Turning the Louvre Theft into a Viral Advertisement - Lemons into Lemonade
In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray challenges entrepreneurs to stop reacting and start playing chess. He breaks down how a small equipment company turned a jewel heist into marketing momentum, what real business leaders are doing with AI right now, and why Seth Godin’s “beyond the checkbox mindset” is the difference between staying stuck and leveling up. Ramon also opens up about his own 2026 strategy — keynote speaking, entrepreneur-focused media, and deep partnerships — and reminds you to secure your business the same way you lock your home and car. This is a focused, practical hit of strategy for founders and business owners who want to win. Be sure to sign up and don't miss out - https://www.ZoneofGenius.com/subscribe- https://YouTube.com/@zoneofgeniusyes?sub_confirmation=1

Oct 28, 2025 • 20min
Being Average Is Not Good Enough, Here's Why
In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray gets real about what’s happening behind the scenes in entrepreneurship. He reacts to new numbers showing that more than a million people every week are using AI to talk about self-harm and suicidal thoughts, and he challenges business owners to pay attention to the people around them. Ramon also breaks down Seth Godin’s call to “be worth the trip” (why average is officially dead), how AI video has changed marketing forever, and why done is better than perfect if you want attention and trust. He closes with a transparent look at what wealth really feels like at $1M, $10M, $50M, $100M, and beyond — and why the real goal is control of your time, not just a bigger number.

Oct 28, 2025 • 19min
Why AI Browsers are Better than Legacy Browsers
On today’s Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray (publisher of ZoneofGenius.com) breaks down five moves every entrepreneur should be thinking about right now.AI browsers: Why next-gen browsers like Atlas, Comet, and others are more than hype — and how they can literally work for you.Substack strategy: How creators are building lists, owning their audience, and getting paid.Merch made simple: Ramon shares his experience launching T-shirts with Bonfire — no inventory, no stress.Seth Godin’s growth grid: You can’t be everything; choose where you play.Travis Kelce x Six Flags: A real-world lesson in brand leverage and influence.Plus, Ramon shares a powerful reminder: if you’re building something great, make sure you’re protecting it.

Oct 24, 2025 • 21min
30 Percent Say LinkedIn Video Doesn't Work? What should you know?
In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray dives into why LinkedIn video is both a success and a struggle for marketers, shares how to know if your iPhone’s been hacked, and reveals what Hobby Lobby’s paper email signup box teaches about marketing. Plus—a reminder to keep showing up with positivity, even when life gets tough. A must-listen for entrepreneurs who want to grow smarter, lead better, and protect their businesses.


