RECENT ARTICLES
5 Emotional Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs
Ramon Ray2022-06-23T12:11:31-04:00Mike Smerklo is a venture capital investor, author and entrepreneur who worked with some of the biggest names in the tech world. This includes Marc Andresen and Ben Horowitz, founders of Loudcloud a company sold for $1.65 billion in cash. Mike is the author of Mr. Monkey and Me: A Real Survival Guide for Entrepreneurs. Growing...
Too Much Inventory Can Harm Your Business – 10 Tips
Ramon Ray2022-06-21T12:08:51-04:00Running a business successfully takes accurate planning and forecasting. It’s normal to have the number of clients you service fluctuate over time and for business to come in surges and spurts. Some industries are busier at specific times of the year and find recurring downtimes that fit predictable patterns. In others, however, what’s hot one...
Small Innovations Can Make Big Results New Book from Square Execs
Ramon Ray2022-06-16T15:09:02-04:00The book, Self-Made Boss is your roadmap to help you start, grow and eventually if you wish, sell your business. Lauren Weinberg, CMO of Square, and Jackie Reses, Luna Financial Group and former Square excec, teamed up to put together a book which is a "soup to nuts" guide for aspiring and existing small business...
Stop Self Sabotaging Your Success.
Ramon Ray2022-06-05T17:44:34-04:00Recently I was the judge of a competition. I’ve judged many competitions - with seasoned business owners and with young students. Most of the competitions are “fast-paced” and require a fast decision. It’s NOT like Shark Tank where there can be 30 or more minutes of deliberation, then some due diligence afterward. This contestant who lost,...
How To Live Your Worst Life. 25 Quick Tips.
Ramon Ray2022-05-31T21:46:20-04:00We talk a lot about how to live your "best life". But what does it look like if you wanted to know the steps to live your worst life? I'm a host of Breakfast with Champions, one of the fastest-growing shows on Clubhouse (the audio only app). In an episode, I did a "spoof" show...
Customer Relationship Management for Small Businesses: The Benefits of a CRM
Ramon Ray2022-05-31T16:54:57-04:00What is CRM and why do you need it? CRM is a customer database to help you keep track of customer interactions with your business so you can serve them better. CRM stands for "customer relationship management" CRM helps you follow up with potential customers. The lack of follow up is one of the biggest reasons...
Finding Your Professional Community – 3 Things To Look For
Editorial Team2022-05-31T09:47:39-04:00As small business owners navigate the challenges of inflation, the importance of peer support is paramount. Given that online communities have grown 3X in the last seven years, reaching revenues of $1.2 billion in 2021, it’s clear there’s a demonstrated need for such digital kinship. Especially in specific fields like B2B marketing and sales, it...
How Mentorship Gives Entrepreneurs a Competitive Edge
Editorial Team2022-05-24T14:52:10-04:00With many companies today struggling to attract and retain talent, a culture of mentorship will put your company ahead of the competition. Nearly 50 million workers resigned in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, including a record-breaking 4.5 million quitting last November. Even before The Great Resignation, an estimated 33 percent of new...
How Can Small Biz Connect with Big Brands?
Editorial Team2022-05-11T20:27:31-04:00Do you dream about partnering your small business with a multi-million dollar brand? Exposure to industry giants can bring entrepreneurs new opportunities to create and sell to different markets. And with the right gumption, anything is possible. Today, 57% of companies use partnerships to further their brand. Not only is it beneficial for companies to...
Can You Create Culture In A Remote Work World?
Ramon Ray2022-05-08T23:22:04-04:00Company culture isn't just about ping pong tables and happy hours. It's the set of values, behaviors, and beliefs that shape how your employees work together and how they interact with customers. Creating a strong company culture is essential for any business, but it can be especially challenging for small businesses. If you have remote...
How To Hire Your First Virtual Assistant
Ramon Ray2022-05-03T12:59:00-04:00Are you running in circles trying to field phone calls, read emails, send your texts in time, and record videos for your podcast all while answering the call of a crying toddler hitting the moon because their applesauce isn’t the right color? It’s time for a virtual assistant! Whether you have kids or not, adding...
CNN+ Shut Down After Only 30 Days. Don’t Fear Failure.
Ramon Ray2022-04-22T08:51:52-04:00About a month ago CNN+ was launched as a special, streaming service to host special CNN content and more. Staff were hired, lots of money was spent. Then it was all shut down. What can we learn about this for our businesses? It was shut down as there was a disagreement between what the new...