Ramon Ray

How to Explain Your Business to Your Family Without Stressing Them Out In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray talks about the real tension entrepreneurs face: your business is always on your mind, but your family still needs your presence. One of the simplest fixes he shares is also one of the most overlooked: explain what you do in a way your family can actually understand, without turning dinner into a board meeting.

How to Explain Your Business to Your Family Without Stressing Them Out

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray talks about the real tension entrepreneurs face: your business is always on your mind, but your family still needs your presence. One of the simplest…

Verizon Exec Insights on why customer experience (and AI) are essential Every business owner feels the pressure to keep up with technology, but many still wonder what truly matters and what is just hype. In the latest conversation on The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray, founder of ZoneofGenius.com, interviewed Mike Caralis, vice president of sales and operations at Verizon, on what businesses actually need to focus on to stay competitive. The reality is simple.

Verizon Exec Insights on why customer experience (and AI) are essential

Every business owner feels the pressure to keep up with technology, but many still wonder what truly matters and what is just hype. In the latest conversation on The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray, founder of ZoneofGenius.com,…

AI in the Enterprise: What’s Changing and What Enterprise Leaders Should Watch AI is starting to reshape how large companies buy, use, and govern business software, and enterprise leaders are being forced to rethink workflows, risk, and ROI. Key Takeaways: Enterprises are experimenting fast, but most are moving cautiously because privacy, legal liability, and compliance still matter. Major software vendors are embedding AI directly into tools teams already use, instead of asking companies to rebuild everything from scratch.

AI in the Enterprise: What’s Changing and What Enterprise Leaders Should Watch

AI is starting to reshape how large companies buy, use, and govern business software, and enterprise leaders are being forced to rethink workflows, risk, and ROI. Key Takeaways: Enterprises are experimenting fast, but…

8 Ways to Make 2026 Your Best Year Ever: Lessons on Learning, Evolving, and Building What Matters 2026 can be your best year ever—but not by accident. In this special edition of The Rundown with Ramon Ray, Ramon shares the mindset shifts, strategic decisions, and personal lessons he’s applying right now to make this year his most impactful yet. This episode blends business strategy, personal growth, and real-life experience to help entrepreneurs move forward with clarity and intention.

Think it's not possible - it sure is but you have to WANT IT and to PLAN IT

Why Substack Email Could Be Your Next Email Newsletter Platform Substack recently made a series of design and product updates that could directly impact how entrepreneurs publish, grow, and monetize their content. It competes head on with Beehiiv and in some ways with legacy email services like Mailchimp, Keap, Constant Contact, Active Campaign and others. For small business owners building audience-driven brands, these changes are not cosmetic. They affect discoverability, user experience, and how your content converts readers into subscribers.

Email is powerful but which email platform to use is not easy - Substack has a lot of benefits (pros and cons) depending on what you want.

Vibe Coding for Small Business: What It Is, Why It Matters, and What To Do Next Vibe coding is having an idea, typing it into an AI tool, and watching working software appear. That sounds like a toy until you see what people are doing with it. In a recent Wall Street Journal podcast episode, two WSJ writers used Anthropic’s Claude Code to help build an interactive feature for their own story, then brought in their internal dev team to polish the last stretch.

Vibe Coding for Small Business: What It Is, Why It Matters, and What To Do Next

Vibe coding is having an idea, typing it into an AI tool, and watching working software appear. That sounds like a toy until you see what people are doing with it. In a recent Wall Street Journal podcast episode, two…

Rebranding Risks — What X Teaches About Names, Trademarks, and Customer Confusion In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray breaks down the real-world lessons behind the ongoing X versus Twitter brand confusion. What looks like a simple rebrand on the surface reveals deeper risks around trademarks, customer trust, and the long-term value of a recognizable name. Key Takeaways Brand names carry legal, emotional, and financial value…

Twitter rebranded to X - now a company is suing to take the trademark - be sure to be legally protected in whatever your business does!

Integrated AI Is How Enterprises Will Harness the Best of AI – Oracle NetSuite Platform Shines As businesses grow, so does their tech stack. What starts as a simple accounting system often expands into a web of CRM tools, ecommerce platforms, payroll software, inventory systems, and more. The result? Complexity. And for many founders, integration becomes a silent drain on time, money, and focus. This week, Oracle NetSuite announced a new AI-powered platform designed to reduce those integration challenges.

Integrated AI Is How Enterprises Will Harness the Best of AI – Oracle NetSuite Platform Shines

As businesses grow, so does their tech stack. What starts as a simple accounting system often expands into a web of CRM tools, ecommerce platforms, payroll software, inventory systems, and more. The…

Stop Majoring on Minor Things: Focus Rules for Founders Ramon Ray opens this episode of The Rundown with Ramon with fast-moving headlines and one core reminder for entrepreneurs: your success is shaped less by perfection and more by what you choose to focus on daily. The centerpiece is a simple mindset shift that helps founders keep momentum even when the world feels noisy and unpredictable. Key points from the show:

Stop Majoring on Minor Things: Focus Rules for Founders

Ramon Ray opens this episode of The Rundown with Ramon with fast-moving headlines and one core reminder for entrepreneurs: your success is shaped less by perfection and more by what you choose to focus on daily. The centerpiece is a simple…

The Ben & Jerry’s Warning for Founders: Selling Your Business Can Cost You the Mission In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray unpacks a powerful lesson hidden inside the Ben & Jerry’s story: when founders sell their company, they may also be giving up control of the mission, values, and voice that made the brand meaningful. The conversation challenges entrepreneurs to think beyond the payout and consider what ownership truly protects.

When you sell your business you lose control. Before you sell it be sure it's what you want.

Unstoppable Mindset Daily Habits That Keep Entrepreneurs Moving Today’s episode of The Rundown with Ramon moves quickly through big headlines, then lands on the real lesson: the mindset that keeps entrepreneurs moving when things feel messy. Ramon breaks down what “unstoppable” actually looks like in daily decisions, not just big motivational moments. Key takeaways from the episode: Don’t major on minor things. Protect your focus so small issues don’t steal the whole day.

Unstoppable Mindset Daily Habits That Keep Entrepreneurs Moving

Today’s episode of The Rundown with Ramon moves quickly through big headlines, then lands on the real lesson: the mindset that keeps entrepreneurs moving when things feel messy. Ramon breaks down what “unstoppable” actually looks like…

Genius Talks NYC: A Business Networking Event Built for Real Growth Most business networking events in New York City follow the same script. Quick introductions, polite smiles, shallow conversations, and a stack of business cards you never look at again. Genius Talks NYC is built for something different. On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Midtown NYC, Genius Talks brings together a small group of thirty to fifty growth-minded business leaders for a morning of thoughtful conversation, practical insight, and real connection.

Genius Talks NYC: A Business Networking Event Built for Real Growth

Most business networking events in New York City follow the same script. Quick introductions, polite smiles, shallow conversations, and a stack of business cards you never look at again. Genius Talks NYC is built for something…

The Red-Carpet Strategy: How VIP Customer Experiences Create Loyalty and Repeat Business On this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray explains why customer experience is no longer a “nice-to-have.” In a crowded, AI-driven marketplace, Ramon shows how creating VIP, red-carpet experiences can turn everyday customers into loyal advocates who come back, spend more, and refer others. Key takeaways from the show People remember how you make them feel more than what you sell…

Create VIP level experiences for your customers - not all of them - but some of them. Why? Well, I'm glad you asked...

Hiring Without Getting Burned: Vendor Screening, Safeguards, and Expectations That Protect Your Brand In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray talks about being a “nice guy” in business and the real-world risk that comes with trusting vendors too quickly. He shares how he’s hired many people successfully, how he’s been burned a few times, and what entrepreneurs can do to protect their brand without turning into a paranoid micromanager.

Hiring Without Getting Burned: Vendor Screening, Safeguards, and Expectations That Protect Your Brand

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray talks about being a “nice guy” in business and the real-world risk that comes with trusting vendors too quickly. He shares how he’s hired many…

Email Newsletters Aren’t Dying: Why Email Is Still the Most Powerful Audience You Can Own On this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray addresses a claim entrepreneurs hear constantly: “email is dead.” Ramon explains why that belief is not only wrong, but dangerous for business owners who want long-term visibility, stability, and control over their audience. Key takeaways from the show Email newsletters are not dying; they are evolving…

DO NOT SLEEP on email marketing - email is what you can OWN - focus on it and other channels

Why Trust Is the Real Growth Strategy in 2026 In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon Ray, Ramon explains why trust—not tactics, tools, or trends—is the true growth strategy for entrepreneurs in 2026. Through examples from AI companies, personal branding, and real customer behavior, he shows how businesses that earn trust gain permission to expand, upsell, and scale sustainably. Key Takeaways Trust is the foundation that allows businesses to grow into new offerings…

Trust is everything. Here's why it will matter even MORE in 2026.

Genius Entrepreneur Conference & Awards 2026: A Reset for Founders Who Want Real Growth If you’re building a business that matters, you already know the hard part is not getting “motivated.” It’s getting clear on what actually moves the business forward, then surrounding yourself with people who push you to execute. That’s what the Genius Entrepreneur Conference & Awards 2026 is designed for: one day in New York City that combines practical strategy, honest conversations, and recognition that feels earned.

Genius Entrepreneur Conference & Awards 2026: A Reset for Founders Who Want Real Growth

If you’re building a business that matters, you already know the hard part is not getting “motivated.” It’s getting clear on what actually moves the business forward, then surrounding yourself with people who…

How to Reposition Your Brands Competitive Battlefield In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray challenges entrepreneurs to rethink competition altogether. Instead of trying to outspend, outscale, or out-feature larger companies, Ramon explains why the smartest businesses change the game entirely—and win by redefining what success looks like. Key takeaways from the show The biggest winners don’t just compete, they reposition the battlefield…

You don't have to compete the way others want you to compete...change the battlefield and compete to the way you want...

Why Small Businesses Can’t Ignore Cybersecurity Anymore Most cyber attacks don’t start with alarms, flashing screens, or systems crashing. Instead, they start quietly. With a normal-looking email. A familiar name, simple request. By the time most business owners realize something is wrong, the attackers have already done the damage. That realization changed the way I now think about security. But after a recent conversation, I had a very clear realization.

Why Small Businesses Can’t Ignore Cybersecurity Anymore

Most cyber attacks don’t start with alarms, flashing screens, or systems crashing. Instead, they start quietly. With a normal-looking email. A familiar name, simple request. By the time most business owners realize something is wrong, the…

AI Slop Is Killing Trust. Stop Shoveling Stupid AI Content On this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray breaks down the growing backlash against AI-generated content and why audiences are starting to tune out. While AI can be a powerful tool, Ramon explains that overusing it the wrong way can quietly erode trust, damage brand credibility, and train your audience to disengage. Subscribe to our YouTube channel here…

There's so much AI content out there it's getting to be TOO much in some ways - it's getting to be SLOP - don't let this be you...

Consistency vs. Talent: How to Avoid Failure and Find Your Lane Faster In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray digs into a question entrepreneurs quietly wrestle with: Is long-term success more about talent or consistency? He makes the case that consistency wins, but only if you’re consistent in the right lane, not repeating the same mistakes for years. He also shares a practical way to audit your progress early, so you stop “staying busy” and start building momentum that actually compounds.

Consistency vs. Talent: How to Avoid Failure and Find Your Lane Faster

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray digs into a question entrepreneurs quietly wrestle with: Is long-term success more about talent or consistency? He makes the case that consistency wins, but only if you’re…

Leveraging Your Relationships When Business Feels Slow (and anytime) In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray opens up about a season many entrepreneurs know well: business feels slow, revenue isn’t flowing as expected, and doubt starts to creep in. But instead of panicking, Ramon reminds us of a powerful truth—your relationships, your network, and your Rolodex are some of the greatest assets you have as a business owner.

Don't sleep on your RELATIONSHIPS - AI is nice humans trusting and enjoying other humans is the best

Nice Doesn’t Mean Weak: How to Win Deals Without Being Pushy Ramon Ray opens this episode of The Rundown with Ramon from a new setting, getting ready to volunteer and teach at a private school. He uses the moment to talk about a question many entrepreneurs wrestle with: can “nice” sellers really win, or do nice people always finish last? Key takeaways Being kind and conversational can be a real selling advantage when it builds trust and reduces buyer resistance.

Nice Doesn’t Mean Weak: How to Win Deals Without Being Pushy

Ramon Ray opens this episode of The Rundown with Ramon from a new setting, getting ready to volunteer and teach at a private school. He uses the moment to talk about a question many entrepreneurs wrestle with: can “nice” sellers really…

Cybersecurity Basics Every Small Business Must Implement On The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon highlights a hard truth many entrepreneurs ignore: hackers don’t just target big corporations. In fact, small businesses are often the easiest victims because they lack strong cybersecurity practices. With phishing scams, ransomware attacks, and fake “support emails” growing rapidly—especially around major shopping seasons—protecting your business is no longer optional. This episode reminds small business owners that cybersecurity is a critical part of running a modern company.

DO NOT ignore your cybersecurity - hackers want to attack big and small businesses - they don't discriminate - thanks Bitdefender for shining the light on this!

Bet on Yourself: A Practical Playbook for Investing in Yourself In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray connects the day’s headlines to a message entrepreneurs need to hear more often: most people won’t bet on you, so you have to. He breaks down what “betting on yourself” actually looks like in real life, especially when you’re busy, uncertain, and trying to build something that hasn’t paid off yet.

Bet on Yourself: A Practical Playbook for Investing in Yourself

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray connects the day’s headlines to a message entrepreneurs need to hear more often: most people won’t bet on you, so you have to. He breaks down what “betting on yourself” actually…

How to Build a Business That’s Bigger Than Your Personal Brand On The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray often speaks about the power of personal branding—but he also shares a critical warning: a business that depends solely on you becomes difficult to scale, stressful to operate, and nearly impossible to sell. Entrepreneurs must build systems, teams, products, and platforms that stand on their own, even as their personal brand fuels growth.

So many of us have our personal brands tied to our businesses - however - maybe we shouldn't - thoughts?

The “Small Risk” Rule to Invest in Your Business Without Betting the Farm In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray shares a simple way to think about money: it’s a tool you can use to create stability and growth. He also breaks down how entrepreneurs can take smart, controlled risks in their business so one decision does not put the whole operation under pressure. Key takeaways from the episode…

The “Small Risk” Rule to Invest in Your Business Without Betting the Farm

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray shares a simple way to think about money: it’s a tool you can use to create stability and growth. He also breaks down how entrepreneurs can take…

Stop Being a Digital Tenant Be a Landlord Says Seth Godin Every episode of The Rundown with Ramon challenges entrepreneurs to think bigger, act smarter, and build businesses that last. In this discussion, Ramon urges small business owners to stop relying solely on rented digital spaces and instead focus on owning their platforms. Owning your channels—your website, email list, events, and audience—is one of the clearest paths to long-term stability and leverage.

Seth Godin says it best - focus on OWNING your assets not just RENTING other peoples assets - re digital marketing, etc

The Gift of Failure: Why It Means You’re Growing Failure was the main lesson in this episode of The Rundown with Ramon. Ramon Ray explains why messing up is often proof you’re stretching, not proof you’re unqualified, and how entrepreneurs can treat mistakes like feedback instead of shame. He also shares why planning for things to go wrong is simple maturity, plus a reminder that betting on yourself is a daily practice, not a one-time decision.

The Gift of Failure: Why It Means You’re Growing

Failure was the main lesson in this episode of The Rundown with Ramon. Ramon Ray explains why messing up is often proof you’re stretching, not proof you’re unqualified, and how entrepreneurs can treat mistakes like feedback instead of shame. He also…

You Need Boundaries: How to Protect Your Energy, Family, and Focus Without Killing Your Ambition This episode of The Rundown with Ramon explores a topic most entrepreneurs overlook: boundaries. Ramon shares insights on redefining success, protecting your energy, and choosing a life rhythm that supports both business and family. Boundaries aren’t barriers—they’re building blocks for a healthier and more focused entrepreneur. Don't miss out - subscribe to our YouTube Channel Key Takeaways Success is not only money; it’s health, family, peace, and time…

Without boundaries - for yourself and others - life gets really messy. Some do this well, some don't. Read and watch this nugget on boundaries - you'll thank me later.