Ramon Ray
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ramonray.bsky.social
Ramon Ray
@ramonray.bsky.social
Publisher, ZoneofGenius.com - small business expert and motivational keynote speaker and event host. www.RamonRay.com
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…
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…
zoneofgenius.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:00 PM
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…
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.
zoneofgenius.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:01 PM
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.
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…
zoneofgenius.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Money Is a Tool: Here’s How To Save More, Spend Smarter, And Stress Less

Ramon Ray breaks down a simple idea that changes everything: money isn’t the goal, it’s a tool. In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, he explains how entrepreneurs can build healthier money habits, reduce stress, and use…
Money Is a Tool: Here’s How To Save More, Spend Smarter, And Stress Less
Ramon Ray breaks down a simple idea that changes everything: money isn’t the goal, it’s a tool. In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, he explains how entrepreneurs can build healthier money habits, reduce stress, and use money with intention at home and in business. Key takeaways from the episode: Your money habits often start in childhood. If you grew up around scarcity, you might hoard cash even when you can afford to invest.
zoneofgenius.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Do You Need a Business Partner or a Great Manager? A Simple Decision Test

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray answers a question entrepreneurs ask when growth starts getting messy: Do you actually need a business partner, or do you just need stronger leadership help? He breaks…
Do You Need a Business Partner or a Great Manager? A Simple Decision Test
In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray answers a question entrepreneurs ask when growth starts getting messy: Do you actually need a business partner, or do you just need stronger leadership help? He breaks down the difference using real-world examples, including how he’s built support roles in his own business. Key takeaways from the show A partner makes sense when the business has enough “meat on the bone” to pay both people fairly, and the skill gap is critical.
zoneofgenius.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:00 PM
I'm 52 and I've been playing piano for about 41 or more years - but now I'm taking piano lessons. It's teaching me much about life and business...wow
Why I Started Taking Piano Lessons and What It’s Teaching me about Life and Business
In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray shares a surprising personal story: after decades of playing piano by ear, he started over at “lesson one.” That simple act of humility became a powerful reminder that mastery requires returning to fundamentals. For entrepreneurs, going back to the basics is not a setback—it’s a success strategy. Subscribe to our YouTube channel…
zoneofgenius.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM
I was playing pool with my family a few weeks ago and saw the advertisement from Gold Belly - an online food store. WOW, WOW, WOW - the visuals were so good, I wanted to eat the TV screen - good lesson here in how good visuals are important to good branding
Gold Belly Branding is Wow – How Visuals Signal Quality
A simple advertisement from Goldbelly sparked an entire branding lesson on The Rundown with Ramon. Without ordering a single meal, Ramon immediately assumed quality, excellence, and premium service—purely because of how good the visual presentation was. This episode dives into why first impressions matter and how small businesses can borrow the same strategy. Key Takeaways Customers make assumptions about quality from what they see before they ever buy.
zoneofgenius.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Burnout is real - and often times its self-inflicted. Seth Godin challenges us to stop doing low-impact work - sigh....wow...
How Low-Impact Work Burns out Entrepreneurs
Inspired by Seth Godin’s “red zone” metaphor, this episode of The Rundown with Ramon explores why entrepreneurs often burn out by pushing too hard on things that don’t actually move their business forward. Ramon reflects on where he’s spending his time, what matters most, and how business owners can avoid living in constant overdrive. Sign up for the ZoneofGeniusYes YouTube Channel…
zoneofgenius.com
January 22, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Block vs. Square Explained: What It Means for Local Business Owners

If you run a small business, you already know this truth: it’s not just about taking payments. It’s about running a whole operation with limited time, tight margins, and customers who expect a great experience every single day. In…
Block vs. Square Explained: What It Means for Local Business Owners
If you run a small business, you already know this truth: it’s not just about taking payments. It’s about running a whole operation with limited time, tight margins, and customers who expect a great experience every single day. In this interview, I sat down with Ebun Onagoruwa from Square to talk about what real “small business support” should look like in twenty twenty-six.
zoneofgenius.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:00 AM
It's one thing to start a partnership, but how do you END IT. Well don't take things personally and do your due diligence - read this to know how and why!
How to Start and End Partnerships the Smart Way (Without Taking It Personally)
This episode of The Rundown with Ramon highlights why entrepreneurs must treat partnerships with structure — not emotion. Whether you're beginning a collaboration or preparing to end one, clarity and communication matter. Key Takeaways Partnerships work best when expectations are defined early. Review dates, exit clauses, and performance metrics protect both sides. Ending a partnership is normal — not personal.
zoneofgenius.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:00 AM
I'm too small. I'm just starting out. This is LITERALLY what several new biz owners told me at the Small Biz Expo. I stopped them and said NO, NOW is the time to be secure - why? Read this...
Why Every Small Business Needs Real Cybersecurity from Day One
This episode of The Rundown with Ramon reinforces a hard truth: small businesses are just as vulnerable — sometimes more vulnerable — to cyberattacks as major corporations. Security must be part of your business foundation, not an afterthought. Key Takeaways Small businesses are prime targets for cyberattacks. Basic protections like 2FA, password managers, and updates go a long way. Human error is one of the biggest security risks.
zoneofgenius.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:01 AM
The Authority Gap: Why Smart Entrepreneurs Are Still Overlooked

Most entrepreneurs do not have a skill problem. Instead, they have an authority problem. They are good at what they do, often very good. They have experience, results, and real-world wins. However, they still get overlooked.…
The Authority Gap: Why Smart Entrepreneurs Are Still Overlooked
Most entrepreneurs do not have a skill problem. Instead, they have an authority problem. They are good at what they do, often very good. They have experience, results, and real-world wins. However, they still get overlooked. Opportunities pass them by. Sales calls turn into long explanations. Fees get discounted just to close a deal. This does not happen because the market is broken.
zoneofgenius.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:25 PM
When we small biz get comfortable with one big client - it feels good - but it's not good for the business. You must diversify your clients so not one client leaving can hurt your entire business - read this article to learn more
Never Rely on One Big Client: The USPS–Amazon Warning for Small Businesses
The Rundown with Ramon explores the tension between Amazon and USPS — an issue with major lessons for small businesses. When one customer represents the bulk of your revenue, your business rests on shaky ground. Key Takeaways Never let one client become a disproportionate share of your revenue. Big partnerships must include review periods and exit plans. Growth requires diversification, not dependency.
zoneofgenius.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:00 AM
What happens when things go wrong? Quickly seek to rebuild trust - Cloudflare did this and other brands. Small companies can learn - read this article...
Fixing Mistakes and Rebuilding Trust: What Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Cloudflare Outage
In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, a major Cloudflare outage becomes the foundation for a critical entrepreneur lesson: mistakes happen — but the way you handle them determines whether customers leave or stay loyal. Key Takeaways Every business will fail or stumble at some point. Customers care more about how you respond than the mistake itself. Clear communication is the most important step after a failure.
zoneofgenius.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Stop waiting for someone to choose you - they won't. Make your own luck and create your own opportunities for success - read this article for how to do it
How to Make Your Own Luck: Get in the Right Rooms, with the Right People
This episode of The Rundown with Ramon dives into why success often has less to do with luck and more to do with where you place yourself. Opportunities come faster when you consistently show up in the rooms where your buyers, partners, and collaborators gather. Key Takeaways You can’t win big opportunities if you’re invisible to the people who grant them.
zoneofgenius.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:00 AM
If you're so desperate and thirsty to make a sale - this means you're missing opportunities to actually build trust and make the sale - FACTS - read this to learn more
Are You Too Thirsty for the Sale? How Desperation Kills Your Business Growth
The Rundown with Ramon digs into a tough truth for entrepreneurs: sometimes we want success so badly that we sabotage the very opportunities we’re chasing. In this episode, Ramon breaks down the dangers of being “too thirsty” and how desperation can quietly undermine your business growth. Key Takeaways Desperation shows up when you ask for the sale before you’ve built trust.
zoneofgenius.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM
What a great interview with the cofounder of Kapwing - Julia Enthoven - she gave us her best tips on the power of video for business and more - check out the interview on ZoneofGenius...
How To Leverage Video In Your Business – Kapwing Cofounder Shares Insights
In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, I spoke with Julia Enthoven, CEO and cofounder of Kapwing, about what’s changed in video creation—and what hasn’t. The big theme: video is no longer “a creative department thing.” It’s becoming a basic business skill, like slides and spreadsheets. Key takeaways Cloud-based video editing is removing the “you need a powerful machine” barrier for small teams.
zoneofgenius.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:00 PM
If you've never been in a driverless car - do it. Waymo is amazing. I LOVE how they're taking controlled risk - lots we can learn about this.
What Waymo Driverless Cars Teaches About Controlled Risk and Innovation
On this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon breaks down how Waymo’s driverless cars have shifted from overly cautious behavior to “confidently assertive” driving. This evolution in autonomous driving mirrors the exact shift entrepreneurs must make when they move from fear-based decision-making to strategic experimentation. Related - How To Turn Your Next Crisis into Opportunity Key Takeaways: Growth requires controlled, intentional risks.
zoneofgenius.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:00 AM