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

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, host Ramon Ray talks with Ashish Gupta, founder of ScaleUpExec, about what it really takes to scale a small or mid-sized business to eight and nine figures.Ashish explains why scaling isn’t for everyone, how business growth happens in steps, and why founders must sometimes step aside to let the right leaders take the company forward. He also shares his own entrepreneurial journey — from a startup acquired by Qualcomm, to senior leadership at Apple, to building ScaleUpExec.What you’ll learn in this episode:The mindset shift required for serious scaling.How fractional COOs can unlock growth in traditional industries.Creative financing strategies to fund expansion.Why scaling is often about life goals, not just revenue.This episode is brought to you by Bitdefender, keeping your business secure so you can grow with confidence.

Events aren’t just about venues, food, or signage—they’re about experiences. In this conversation, Ramon Ray (Publisher, ZoneofGenius.com) sits down with Sai Bhavithran Kumar, Business Operations Leader at Zoho, who has managed nearly 780 events across the Americas. Sai shares what he’s learned from running events big and small—and how entrepreneurs can use events as a tool for connection, trust, and growth.From avoiding common mistakes to building inclusivity and measuring ROI, this interview is packed with lessons for any business owner planning events.Why events are “experiential marketing,” not just logisticsHow to personalize the attendee journeyThe biggest mistakes to avoid (and how Zoho solved them)Why clear goals and knowing your audience matter mostThe role of internal evangelism in event successHow to measure ROI and continuously improveWhat You’ll Learn

The power of upselling is an underused secret for business. It's all about the TRUST you earn with your customers and how you can provide them MORE of what they want.Gap and Old Navy is now selling cosmetics, lessons we can learn as well. Brought to you by Bitdefender - secure your business - www.Bitdefender.com/ramonray I'd love to know how have you succeeded in giving your customers MORE of what they want? How have you succeeded in making better offers to your existing customers? Let's talk about it. #sales #upselling #marketing

Search is evolving fast. Should small businesses still focus on SEO—or shift to leveraging AI search engines like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity?In this conversation, Ramon Ray, small business expert, motivational speaker and publisher of ZoneofGenius.com talks with Pierre DeBois (Zimana Analytics) and Favour Obasi-ike (Work and Play Entertainment) about the future of search and practical tips for small business owners.Learn how to:- Build a strong SEO foundation- Show up in AI-powered search results- Use tools like Google Search Console & Bing Webmaster Tools- Balance owned platforms (your website) with rented ones (LinkedIn, Medium)This is a must-watch for entrepreneurs who want to stay visible in the new digital landscape.

Ramon Ray sits down with Elyse Stoltz Dickerson, CEO and co-founder of Eosera, to talk about her journey from corporate executive to founder of a thriving healthcare company.From winning $50,000 in a pitch competition to landing CVS as her first major retail partner, Elyse shares the highs and lows of building a national brand. She also reveals her best pitching advice, the lessons she learned from a recall, and why profitability matters more than chasing vanity growth.Elyse is equally passionate about paying it forward. Through the Eosera Foundation Pitch Competition, she supports women entrepreneurs with funding and mentorship, helping them scale multimillion-dollar ideas.💡 Takeaways from this episode:Keep your pitch simple, passionate, and practicedSurround yourself with smart mentors and ask for helpBuild a profitable, sustainable businessPay it forward when you canTune in for an inspiring conversation full of real-world lessons for entrepreneurs at any stage.Don't miss out - subscribe to www.ZoneofGenius.com/subscribe

Why You’re in Business: Lessons From a Restaurant That’s “Figuring It Out”Starting a business isn’t easy—you rarely have it all figured out. In this video, Ramon Ray shares the story of Buckeyes Scratch Kitchen, a small Ohio restaurant that turned brunch sing-alongs into a sold-out success.From customer experience to knowing your audience, this story is packed with practical lessons every small business owner can use.What you’ll learn in this video:Why customer experience is your most powerful growth engineHow to start before you feel ready and improve in publicThe importance of knowing your audience and tailoring to themWhy retention is more profitable than constant customer chasingHow to match your product, pricing, and location to your marketBusiness isn’t about perfection—it’s about experimenting, learning, and figuring it out as you go.👉 Subscribe to ZoneofGenius for more insights and inspiration: ZoneofGenius.com#SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #CustomerExperience

Never Forget Why You’re in BusinessWhy did you start your business? Was it by choice, or did circumstances push you into it? In this episode, we unpack the deeper “why” behind entrepreneurship—and why it matters more than the daily grind.Don't miss out - www.ZoneofGenius.com/subscribeYou’ll hear practical reminders about choosing the right customers, building profitable and repeatable revenue, and paying yourself and your team well. We’ll talk about controlling what you can control, bouncing back when you fall, and remembering that your success impacts not just you, but your family, your employees, and your community.Entrepreneurship is tough, but the toughness is worth it—because the world loses when you don’t win.Tune in and refocus on why you’re in business.

Your office isn’t just where you work—it shapes how you work.In this episode, Ramon Ray shares practical tips for creating a home office (or workspace) that fuels focus, creativity, and productivity. From choosing a supportive chair and desk to deciding if you need a podcast mic, extra monitor, or video backdrop, your setup matters.We talk about:Setting up your office for your type of workThe importance of good lighting and ergonomicsWhether to go DIY with Ikea/Amazon or hire a professionalWhy aesthetics—plants, art, colors—impact your mindsetThe role of distractions like TVs and musicIf you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner, tune in to learn how to transform your workspace into a place that helps you do your best work every day.Sponsored by Bitdefender small business - www.Bitdefender.com/ramon

Every entrepreneur needs a CRM—but with so many options, how do you know which one is right for your business? In this video, Ramon Ray dives deep into the real feedback from 80+ entrepreneurs about Go High Level (GHL)—one of the most talked-about all-in-one CRM platforms.✅ What entrepreneurs LOVE about Go High Level✅ The biggest complaints and challenges (learning curve, support, design)✅ How Go High Level stacks up against HubSpot, Zoho, and others✅ Why the best CRM is the one you actually use✅ The secret: many top business owners don’t do it themselves—they have a team member or consultant master the platformIf you’re wondering whether Go High Level is worth it for your small business, this video will give you a balanced, real-world perspective.🔔 Subscribe for more insights on business growth, personal branding, and tools that help entrepreneurs scale: [Your Channel Link]👉 Question for you: Are you using a CRM right now? If so, which one? Drop your answer in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!#GoHighLevel #CRM #SmallBusiness #EntrepreneurTools #RamonRay

At first I thought Intuit Quickbooks updated dashboard was confusing, but then I looked deeper and realized it was genius and exactly what small business owners need - here's why. Also get the TOP 8 money reports you need for your business here -https://zoneofgenius.com/8-money-reports/