

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

Dec 17, 2024 • 28min
Stop Talking and Listen More to Make More Sales - The Rundown with Ramon
In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray delivers practical strategies for managing change, understanding different leadership styles, and optimizing for voice search. Learn how to maintain sanity during business transitions while fostering innovation and growth. Whether you're starting out or scaling up, this episode provides valuable insights for navigating today's business challenges. Features special coverage of stress management techniques and sales strategies from industry experts.
Host: Ramon Ray - Entrepreneur, Author, and Small Business Expert

Dec 16, 2024 • 21min
Why Venting to Someone is Healthy for You - The Rundown with Ramon
Here's what we covered on today's episode of The Rundown with Ramon
Are You Keeping Your Business Commitments to Yourself?
There’s No Shame In Desiring More, Even Though You Have So Much
How to Say 'No' Gracefully in Business
5 things Larry David’s ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ can teach you about leadership (all don’ts)
As Larry David’s long-running HBO series concludes, here’s how the curmudgeonly comedian made it a masterclass in how not to be a leader.
6 Ways to Pioneer Creative Content with AI the Right Way
Here's how creative marketing teams can leverage AI while maintaining credibility and an authentic connection with their audience.
Venting Is A Healthy Process
7 Keys to an Exponential Expansion of Your Market Impact Conventional marketing is not enough to propel your business to be the next unicorn.
3 Pitching Lessons a First-Time Founder Learned From Her ‘Shark Tank’ Experience The Sharks turned down Veon Brewster’s pitch for her baby bottle monitors, but she found the experience valuable in other ways.

Dec 12, 2024 • 21min
How To Do What You're Afraid of Doing - The Rundown with Ramon
In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, host Ramon Ray delivers practical strategies for building trust in business, mastering content marketing, and maintaining mental health as an entrepreneur.
Learn how to overcome business fears, price your services effectively, and create lasting impact in your market.
Whether you're starting out or scaling up, this episode provides valuable insights for authentic business growth. Featuring special coverage of the Bantam Bagels success story and current trends in small business lending.

Dec 11, 2024 • 27min
How To Know if You're a A High-Level Thinker The Rundown with Ramon
🎯 The Power of Core Values & Business Growth | The Rundown with Ramon
In this value-packed episode, business expert Ramon Ray shares:
How to turn negative reviews into business opportunities
The 4 traits of high-level thinkers
Smart screen time management strategies
Leadership mistakes to avoid
Leveraging Facebook chatbots for growth
Living your core values in business
Plus: Special insights on e-commerce success during economic downturns and practical automation tips for small businesses. Perfect for entrepreneurs looking to scale their impact while maintaining their values.
#BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #Leadership

Nov 29, 2024 • 26min
6 Questions Which Reflect Your Financial Stability
In this power-packed episode of The Rundown with Ramon, host Ramon Ray dives deep into critical aspects of business and personal success. Learn why your financial habits matter more than your bank balance, discover the essentials of adaptive leadership, and understand how AI is revolutionizing solo entrepreneurship. Ramon shares valuable insights on:
- Six questions that reveal true financial stability
- Five key elements of adaptive leadership
- Strategies for executive job hunting
- Managing workplace relationships
- The power of forgiveness in business
- Modern SEO fundamentals
Perfect for entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals seeking practical wisdom for business growth and personal development. Ramon combines personal stories with expert analysis to deliver actionable insights for your success journey.

Nov 28, 2024 • 25min
Be Patient with Yourself and More on The Rundown with Ramon
The Rundown with Ramon delivers daily doses of business wisdom and personal development insights.
In this episode, host Ramon Ray shares powerful strategies for being patient with yourself while building your business, essential website security measures, and how to develop bold business strategies that ensure long-term success.
From cost-cutting techniques to building trust as a leader, Ramon combines personal experiences with expert insights to help you grow your business and live your best life.
Tune in for practical advice, inspiring stories, and actionable business strategies from a seasoned entrepreneur who has started five companies and sold three.
Perfect for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and anyone looking to grow professionally and personally.

Nov 25, 2024 • 11min
8 Ways To Scale and Be a Successful Mid-market Company
The Rundown with Ramon: Understanding Mid-Market Business Evolution with Intuit's Sandy Edwards
In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, host Ramon Ray speaks with Sandy Edwards, Mid-Market Product Leader at Intuit, to explore the fascinating world of mid-market businesses and Intuit's new Enterprise Suite solution. This conversation, recorded at Intuit Connect, dives deep into how growing businesses navigate the complex transition from small business to sophisticated mid-market operations.
## Key Takeaways
1. Mid-market businesses need solutions that bridge the gap between small business and enterprise systems
2. The transition from owner-operator to C-suite requires significant organizational changes
3. AI and business intelligence are becoming core components of mid-market operations
4. Human capital management is increasingly complex in the post-COVID environment
5. Integrated financial services are crucial for operational efficiency
Sandy Edwards brings over 15 years of experience in online payroll and now leads Intuit's mid-market initiatives, including QuickBooks Online Advanced and the new Intuit Enterprise Suite.
Ramon Ray, host of The Rundown with Ramon on the USA Today Network, brings his characteristic enthusiasm and deep understanding of business technology to this engaging conversation about the evolution of mid-market businesses.
*This episode was recorded at Intuit Connect, showcasing the latest innovations in financial technology and business solutions for growing companies.*

Nov 23, 2024 • 27min
Should You Start a Blog - The Rundown with Ramon
Spotify Description
The Rundown with Ramon delivers actionable insights for entrepreneurs and small business owners. In this episode, Ramon Ray shares powerful strategies for building your business through blogging, mastering workplace dynamics, and breaking through procrastination. Learn how to leverage technology, handle awkward conversations like a pro, and navigate high-interest environments. Whether you're starting out or scaling up, this episode provides the practical wisdom you need to succeed. Join Ramon for your daily dose of business inspiration and tactical advice.
Host: Ramon Ray - Serial Entrepreneur, Small Business Expert, Professional Speaker

Nov 20, 2024 • 23min
Anger Can Damage Your Body (and Business) - The Rundown with Ramon
In this episode of the Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray covered a diverse range of topics crucial for professional and personal development.
He discussed the physical impacts of anger, the evolution of content marketing strategies, and the importance of living authentically. Ramon provided insights on navigating business challenges, including temporary closures and the difference between foundering and floundering.
He explored the concept of purpose, the development of resilience, and the proactive approach to creating opportunities. The episode also touched on the importance of lifelong learning, brain-boosting foods, and managing emotional reactions in the workplace.
Throughout the show, Ramon emphasized the significance of self-reflection, continuous growth, and making a positive impact on both immediate circles and the broader world.

Nov 14, 2024 • 45min
Jotform Founder's 18 Year Journey of Success
So many tech startups often chase rapid growth and quick exits, JotForm's founder, Aytekin Tank's is quite different. With millions of users Jotform's growth offers a different playbook of steady and purposeful growth. Over 18 years, Tank has built Jotform from a simple form builder into a powerhouse platform serving 25 million users—all without taking a dime of venture capital.
In his discussion with the publisher of ZoneofGenius.com, Ramon Ray, Tank shared how he transformed his frustration as a programmer into a thriving tech company, revealing strategies that challenge conventional Silicon Valley wisdom.
From prioritizing sustainable growth over quick wins to building a company culture where employees stay for decades, his insights offer valuable lessons for entrepreneurs seeking to build lasting businesses.
Whether it's his contrarian approach to freemium pricing or his current bold move to potentially disrupt his own business with AI, Tank's story demonstrates that patient, purposeful growth can lead to remarkable success in the tech industry.
Watch the interview here on YouTube or below (and subscribe) |
Buy his book Automate Your Busywork Here
Key points
Bootstrapped JotForm to 25M users over 18 years without external funding
Focused on sustainable growth through free product strategy and virality
Prioritized financial stability and healthy company culture
Leveraged SEO and content marketing over paid advertising
Currently developing AI solutions to enhance core product offerings
Tank started Jotform in 2006 while working as a programmer in New York. Frustrated by repeatedly creating forms for a media company's 400 websites, he saw an opportunity to automate the process. He bootstrapped the company, initially offering the product for free to gather user feedback, which proved crucial for early adoption and growth.
Instead of chasing rapid growth through venture capital, Tank focused on sustainable expansion. Jotform's freemium model allows users 100 form submissions monthly at no cost. This approach, combined with natural product virality, drove organic growth. When users share forms, recipients often become new customers, creating a self-perpetuating growth cycle.
Tank emphasizes avoiding short-term revenue optimization that could hamper growth. When JotForm tested reducing free payment form submissions from 10 to 3 monthly, immediate revenue increased but user growth flatlined. This experience reinforced the importance of providing genuine value in the free tier to build trust and foster long-term growth.
Starting slowly enabled Tank to build a strong company culture. Jotform hired just one employee annually in its first five years, allowing for close relationships and shared vision. This approach has resulted in high employee retention, with many team members staying 5-10 years. Tank prioritizes creating an enjoyable work environment and maintaining financial stability with a 25% margin between revenue and expenses.
Rather than relying on paid advertising, JotForm focused on SEO and content marketing. They built a library of over 10,000 form templates, creating valuable content that naturally attracts users searching for specific solutions. This programmatic approach to content creation proved more scalable than traditional blogging while providing genuine value to potential customers.
Looking ahead, Jotform is developing AI solutions aimed at transforming traditional forms into interactive, conversational experiences. Tank believes AI can make forms more engaging and personalized while gathering better data. This initiative demonstrates Jotform's commitment to innovation while potentially disrupting their own core business model.
The Journey from Developer to Tech FounderBuilding a Sustainable Business ModelThe Power of Long-term ThinkingCreating a Healthy Company CultureMarketing Strategy: Content Over AdvertisingEmbracing AI Innovation


