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

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray sits down with Dr. Nashlie Sephus, Principal AI Evangelist at Amazon Web Services (AWS), to demystify how entrepreneurs and small business owners can start using AI—without being tech experts.Dr. Sephus shares practical insights on how to get started with AI, the importance of solving real business pain points, and how tools like AWS's PartyRock make it easy to build and test AI-powered apps with zero coding required. They discuss the role of human oversight in AI, what “agentic AI” really means, and why the future of AI should be inclusive for all business owners—not just big tech.Whether you're just curious about AI or looking for tools to streamline your workflow, this episode is packed with accessible, real-world strategies to help you use AI smarter and more responsibly.🎧 Listen in and get inspired to experiment, explore, and empower your business with AI.

🎧 On Episode 256 of The Rundown with Ramon, host Ramon Ray and co-host Lanika Johnson dive deep into the creator economy—why Joe Rogan is more influential than CNN, when to give away your book instead of selling it, and how entrepreneurs can think like media brands.🔥 Should you start a podcast?🔥 How do you monetize your content?🔥 And when does generosity go too far?This episode explores all of that and more—with insights, real talk, and a little fun.🎯 Featuring shoutouts to Breakfast with Champions, IYMS.world, and CreativeCon.com. Don’t miss this fast-paced conversation on business, branding, and becoming a creator with impact.🎥 Watch, subscribe, and get more at ZoneofGenius.comCohosted with Lainika Johns, Press Staffing - www.PressStaffing.com

🎧 In Episode 255 of The Rundown with Ramon, host Ramon Ray is joined by powerhouse entrepreneurs Lanika Johnson and Robert Kennedy III for a hard-hitting, transparent conversation about dealing with tough clients, unpaid invoices, and the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship.✔️ What do you do when one customer ruins the vibe?✔️ Should you chase unpaid invoices or let it go?✔️ What if you feel like quitting business altogether?Lanika and Robert get real about their journeys and share practical strategies you can use today to build a stronger, more resilient business. Tune in for insights, encouragement, and plenty of truth bombs.🌟 Don’t forget to subscribe and visit ZoneofGenius.com for more tips to help you grow your business and thrive in your zone of genius.

In this episode of *The Rundown with Ramon*, we explore two compelling business stories—Pinky Cole’s entrepreneurial journey with Slutty Vegan and Stanley 1913’s strategy for sustaining viral success. From recovering a lost business to hiring a CEO, to scaling beyond a single product trend, this episode delivers key lessons for founders and business owners looking to grow smarter. Whether you’re building your brand, navigating leadership decisions, or expanding into new markets, these insights will help you shape the future of your business. Tune in and discover what it takes to sustain success in today’s fast-paced world!

AI Can't Do it All Says Klarna CEO - Right or Wrong?- Amazon's humanoids delivery robots knocking on your door- Hooters shifting business model- Michaels gets insights from web analytics and sells more- Elon and Trump throw mud (lessons in what not to do)- ChatGPT has 3 million business customers (don't miss out)- Reddit sues Anthropic (pay up buddy)- and more!

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, host and small business expert Ramon Ray sits down with Sandy Lo, Vice President of Global Communications at Zoho, for an energizing and insightful conversation about what it really takes to lead global teams in today’s business environment.Whether you're managing a small remote team or growing your business across borders, this episode is packed with lessons that will help you lead with more clarity, empathy, and impact.Sandy brings over a decade of experience leading a global communications team at one of the world’s most respected software companies, Zoho. With employees and partners spread across continents and time zones, Sandy has mastered the art of balancing cultural nuance, consistent corporate messaging, and individual team member strengths—all while keeping humanity at the heart of leadership.💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:How to effectively lead a global team across multiple time zones, cultures, and communication stylesWhy being open to learning is a critical leadership trait—and how it can shape a more inclusive workplaceWhat “transnational localism” means at Zoho, and how the company customizes messaging without losing its core valuesHow to manage different personality types—from high-energy extroverts to quiet contributors—and create space for everyone to thriveSandy’s approach to time management and multitasking when every hour countsWhy Zoho’s CEO believes “if someone isn’t thriving, it’s our fault”—and what that means for leaders who want to build resilient teamsThe importance of helping your team find their zone of genius—and how personal fulfillment contributes directly to professional performanceWhy work-life harmony isn’t just a nice-to-have but a leadership requirementSandy also shares personal anecdotes from her leadership journey, including how she juggles constant demands with grace, supports both rising stars and quieter team members, and builds deep trust across her organization. Her passion for people-first leadership shines throughout the conversation.🎙️ This episode is especially valuable for:Small business owners growing remote or global teamsTeam leaders and managers looking to level up their leadership skillsEntrepreneurs who want to cultivate a stronger, more connected cultureProfessionals striving to build careers that align with their unique strengths—their zone of geniusAnyone curious about Zoho’s people-first philosophy and global communications strategyIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the challenges of leading others—or wondered how to bring out the best in your team—this episode is your playbook for building trust, clarity, and impact in your business.✨ At Zone of Genius, we believe the most successful businesses are built when leaders help others step into their unique gifts. This episode brings that mission to life.—🔗 Connect with Us:Learn more about Sandy Lo and Zoho at www.zoho.comExplore insights, resources, and community for entrepreneurs at ZoneofGenius.comFollow Ramon Ray on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter @ramonray👍 Enjoyed this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow entrepreneur or business leader who’s ready to lead with more purpose and people-first thinking.#Leadership #Entrepreneurship #RemoteTeams #ZoneOfGenius #Zoho #SmallBusiness #RamonRay #GlobalLeadership #Communication #EmpathyInBusiness #TeamManagement #WorkCulture #WomenInLeadership #BusinessGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #PodcastLet me know if you'd like a shorter version for Spotify or need episode title options.

In this milestone 250th episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray tackles the critical moments that shape your business: making decisions under pressure, escaping the trap of being your own bottleneck, and adapting to major tech shifts like OpenAI’s surprise hardware acquisition. Plus, hear how a Subway sandwich shop helped salvage a speaking gig—and what that moment taught Ramon about pivoting fast.Also covered: real-world AI traffic stats, the future of AI-powered hardware, and whether it’s time to leave your current business group.💡 Insights from ZoneofGenius.com📘 Free personal branding guide: celebrityceo.com

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray unpacks the biggest shifts from Google's 2025 I/O conference—including a powerful new AI search experience, smart glasses, and proactive AI assistants that may change how you work. Plus, Ramon dives into Square’s new banking tools, how too much hype can hurt your marketing, the power of daily rituals, and why trust—not just visibility—is the key to growth.🧠 Learn how to surf the AI tsunami instead of being crushed by it.💼 Powered by ZoneofGenius.com — sign up for the newsletter today!

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray breaks down Airbnb’s shift to experiences, Microsoft’s vision for connected AI agents, and why blogging still matters—yes, even if no one reads it. You’ll also hear insights on AI’s impact on customers, brand scams on Meta, and how premium brands like Cava are thriving through human connection. Whether you're a marathoner or a sprinter, this episode will fuel your entrepreneurial journey. Powered by ZoneofGenius.com.Subscribe now and sign up for the newsletter!

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray sits down with Lawrence Levinson, Vice President of Customer Success at Wave, the accounting platform built for small businesses. Don't miss out - www.ZoneofGenius.com/subscribeThey dive into the emotional and practical challenges of managing small business finances—from the fear of IRS audits to the chaos of shoebox bookkeeping. Lawrence shares insights on how Wave helps entrepreneurs move through the “Start, Survive, Thrive” stages with tools that simplify invoicing, payments, and bookkeeping. They also discuss how AI is being used to support—not replace—human guidance, and why mindset, community, and emotional resilience are just as critical as knowing your cash flow. A must-listen for any entrepreneur who’s ever felt overwhelmed by their numbers.