Ramon Ray: "Today Is the Best Time to Start a Business". Read this interview and take one idea that will make you wake up inspired and excited tomorrow.

Ramon Ray is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, small business expert and unapologetically positive. He's the founder of multiple companies, a sought-after speaker, and the creator of Zone of Genius, where he helps entrepreneurs grow through community and authenticity.

Ramon is also a Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security Ambassador, helping business owners protect what they're building while chasing their biggest dreams.

We asked him a few key questions to make the most of this collaboration and to help you move forward safely with confidence and optimism. 

Bitdefender: Why is now the best time in history to start a business? 

Ramon Ray: Well, technology makes it easier and easier to start a business. Small business influencer and megastar Marie Forleo's book, “Everything Is Figureoutable”, captures the essence of what I'm saying.

Today, everything is even more "figureoutable", thanks to AI and advances in technology. You can press a button and hire 10 people. You can hit a button and access resources that you just didn't have before. 

So today is the best time to start a business. And overall, instead of saying, "One day I'll start a business", have today be the day you do.

Bitdefender: What do entrepreneurs have today that you wish you had starting out? 

Ramon Ray: Well, there are a lot of things I wish I had.  But you know what? I think knowledge is amazing, and even if you didn't have access to it before, that's okay. Because today you do, and today is your day.

But I have to say, AI is on the top of all of our lips today. The ability to go to ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini, or Copilot, ask them a question, and drill down until you get real answers — that's a total game changer.

So, I kind of wish I had AI 10, 20, or even 30 years ago when I was starting out in business.

But also, I'm very grateful for what I had back then, because I learned. And even today, you should keep doing what works: go to organizations like SCORE, SBDC, and network with other business owners.

I'm still happy with how I started.

Bitdefender: What's the best way to measure success for very small businesses right now? 

Ramon Ray: I think one of the best ways to measure success for small businesses is something Shark Tank alumnus Mark Cuban said: "Sales cures all."

So the first question is: Do you have customers buying from you? And over time, is that sales trajectory going up and up and up? That's really the best way to know. 

Other things you can figure out a little easier – like how you hire, do you have the right team, is your inventory right, have you secured your business with Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security? But really, sales is one indicator of success for business. 

Bitdefender: If you could only track three numbers each week, which ones would you choose and why? 

Ramon Ray: It depends on which bucket, but I'm going to talk about financial numbers. And I think that's what most businesses need to track. 

Number one: Are you sending out invoices? Are those invoices being paid? 

Number two: Are you touching base with your existing customers? 

Number three: What do your sales and profitability look like?

I think those are three numbers I would track on a regular basis, in addition to things like website traffic, email signups, and making sure your team is properly trained. How do your employees and your team feel? Are they doing okay? 

But yes, if I had to narrow it down to just three, I'd go with profit and loss, invoices going out and being paid, and how connected you are to your current customers. 

Bitdefender: What leading indicators tell you momentum is real before revenue shows up?

Ramon Ray: You know, part of what I do in my business is produce content and work with brands that want to partner with me. I don't get a "yes" on every brand I work with or every relationship I have. 

However, if they get back to me and we're in conversation, that's one indicator that things are moving forward. 

So that's one indicator for me personally, but I think the same applies to any business. You're not going to get a "yes" all the time. But are you still in momentum? Are you still in motion, having good conversations? 

Bitdefender: If you were launching from zero this month, what does your first 30 days look like?

Ramon Ray: Well, assuming I had a little bit of money to feed my family — because, you know, feeding my family, having food to eat, paying rent, all those things are important. If I didn't have that, I'd probably drive Uber or do something quick just to get by.

But assuming I had a small cushion, I'd probably start with relationships. I'd go ask them some smart questions and say, "What problems do you have?" and see if I could solve any of their problems in the first 30 days.

That's what I would do to get some quick cash in and then leverage that cash for something else.

Bitdefender: Your simplest, repeatable way to get the first 10 customers today, not theory.

Ramon Ray: That's what I would do to get the first 10 customers:

First, find out what your top two or three skill sets are, the things you do best. Then identify where those possible customers could be at, and go and sell to them. This is where sales comes in. Or you can reverse-engineer it a bit. Go to the people you already know or even your wider circle  and ask questions. Find out what problems people have, especially ones that match the top one, two, or three things you do really well. Then go sell and solve those problems fro people.

Bitdefender: Can you share one credibility builder that costs $0 but works?

Ramon Ray: One way to build credibility is the power of video and posting on LinkedIn or whatever platform you want.

By consistently sharing video, and just showing up, showing up, that's one way to build credibility. Od course, there's no proof that you have a million-dollar business or that you've written seven books. But over time, people can sniff that out. 

So if you're showing up consistently, that's one free way to build credibility.

Bitdefender: What belief or principle has kept you in the game over the years?

Ramon Ray: I think I have two core values: have fun and do the right thing.

Does that mean I'm perfect? That I never make mistakes? No, but I always try to have fun, have a laugh, and not take myself too seriously, altthough I take the work I do very seriously.

And second, I'd like to think I'm the most honest person you'll work with. I'll never cheat you, never steal from you, never do anything underhanded or nefarious — ever.

That's how I live my life.

Bitdefender: If a founder reads this today, what's one thing you want them to do tomorrow morning?

Ramon Ray: Talking to you, the entrepreneur founders who are probably going to read this blog post, here’s one thing I want you to do tomorrow morning. I want you to look through your phone, look through your contacts, look through your database. I want you to identify the top 50 people, 100 people, 20 people that are kind of closest to you, and make a point to DM them, send them a message, schedule a meeting with them, to get closer to them. 

Want more smart business tips from Ramon? Follow him on LinkedIn for honest advice, fresh ideas, and a boost of motivation when you need it.

Make sure you check out ZoneofGenius.com, founded by him. It's where you'll find curated insights and practical strategies to grow your business and live a fulfilled life.

And if you're ready to protect what you're building,  Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security has your back, so you can grow with confidence and keep your business safe. Try it free and see how it works before you commit.