The Rundown with Ramon - small business growth podcast for entrepreneurs

Ramon Ray returns with a new episode of The Rundown with Ramon, packed with actionable insights for small business owners.

Key points include:

• Creating Minimum Viable Products to test market interest
• implementing tiered pricing strategies like Netflix and Spotify,
• diversifying your offerings like Uber, overcoming mindset limitations that block business growth,
• and the importance of thinking bigger with your business goals and pricing.




Perfect for entrepreneurs looking for practical strategies to grow their business! Don't miss out - https://www.ZoneofGenius.com/subscribe

Why Appreciation at Work Matters More Than Ever

I recently spoke with Erin Mittelstaedt, CEO of The FruitGuys, and her message was clear: appreciation isn’t just nice—it’s necessary.

For over 27 years, The FruitGuys has delivered fresh fruit to offices across the U.S., but what they really deliver is care. Erin shared how small gestures—like perfectly ripe bananas or handwritten notes—can go a long way in employee morale.

Here’s what stood out:

• Appreciation doesn’t have to be expensive—sincerity matters more than scale.

• Employees often leave not for money, but for lack of care and connection.

• A strong company culture starts with values, not perks.

Want to retain your team and build a healthier workplace? Start by simply saying “thank you.”

🍎 More at ZoneofGenius.com #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeExperience #TheRundownWithRamon #FruitGuys

Self-sabotage thoughts are deadly. I suffer with it.

We often are our own worst enemies.

I took some time to share my own journey in conquering self-defeat, negative self-talk and more.

- Focus on what you do well and your strengths

- Yes, aim to get better every day, but focus on your super powers.

- Stay away from negative people who always put you down and put down others

- Listen to good people with good intentions who want the best for you

- Discipline your mind for affirmations of positivity

- Surround yourself with those who can uplift you to be the best version of yourself.

Welcome to the Rundown with Ramon - 8 minutes of insights from The Celebrity CEO, small business expert, Ramon Ray

- How can you be a great company to work for? These brands are the best large employers to grow your career. Here's what you can do

- Fake job applications are posing a risk for employers. Here's how to not be duped.

- Self driving startup gets over $100 million in funding. There's a lesson her for small businesses too

- AI services offer $200 a month plans. Should you consider using them?

No lunch breaks and working 24/7. Is that healthy and sustainable for this new beverage startup founder and MORE on today's Rundown with Ramon.

- Facebook is changing it's algorithm for the better

- Creators and influencers are being sought after

- Chat GPT's servers are being overused (that's good)

- Yellowstone broadcasters are fighting (warning to small biz on legal issues)

- Men's fashion (tight pants or loose pants?)

📺 The Rundown with Ramon - Getting Press in 90 Days or Less with PR Expert Lanetra King

In this value-packed episode, small business expert Ramon Ray interviews PR specialist Lanetra King about how entrepreneurs can secure valuable media coverage without being celebrities or having huge social media followings.

🔹 The "BIG" mindset needed for PR success:

• Believe in yourself and your expertise
• Intentions focused on transformation, not vanity
• Goals centered on sustainable business growth

🔹 How to be "press ready" with:

• Professional headshots (not selfies!)
• Concise press bios focused on your expertise
• B-roll footage for TV opportunities

🔹 Why PR campaigns sometimes fail:

• Poor communication and unclear expectations
• Missing supporting elements (marketing, sales, etc.)
• Inconsistent branding and online presence

🔹 Strategies to leverage press coverage:

• Social sharing across all platforms
• Email marketing to your list
• Including in professional signatures

🔹 Media training essentials:

• Creating natural conversational flow
• Maximizing limited interview time
• Using effective body language

🔹 Why PR is 90% more effective than advertising (Forbes/Nielsen stat)

Lanetra's company, https://www.indiekater.com/ has a proven track record of getting clients on TV, radio, or in print within 90 days or less!

Last night I was in a "hot seat" for business owners. If you've never been in a hot seat, this video is important. A hot seat is where a group of business owners, 10 - 20 give or take, help each other solve business questions. Of course a "hot seat" could be for marriage help, fitness or anything else. But wow, if you're not part of a community of other business owners, and never experienced a "hot seat" you definitely want to experience it.

Does branding really matter? 9 minutes of insights on

- Under Armour is back to the NFL (lessons in branding for small biz)

- Google's new AI is rocking (but wait there's more...)

- Amazon's new shopping assistant - is it scary?

- Dollar Tree and Family Dollar - didn't work out (know your customer)

- Kudos to Jotform for their new form to task feature!

SO JUICY don't miss this - don't miss out - sign up to ZoneofGenius.com and subscribe to our YouTube Channel

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray sits down with global business expert Dr. Daniel Thadani to discuss how American business owners can successfully expand internationally. With deep experience across Europe, Asia, and now the U.S., Dr. Thadani shares powerful insights on local marketing, cultural adaptation, hiring, and building sustainable global strategies. Whether you're a startup or a mid-sized business, this conversation will help you think beyond borders and grow globally.

#InternationalBusiness #GlobalMarketing #Entrepreneurship #RamonRay #BusinessGrowth

Choosing the right customer is so important.

Choose the wrong customer and you and your team will have weeks or years of difficulty and more.

Choose the customer that wants the cheapest work with the most difficult fulfillment, and you'll go home frustrated daily.

Choosing the right customer is essential.

You get to choose how your business grows and operates day to day.

Having the right customer for you and your business, is a key part of that choice. See the full article here - https://zoneofgenius.com/pick-right-customer/