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Issa Rae’s Tips for Small Business Success – Wake Up Early and Have Honest Collaborations – The Rundown with Ramon

Issa Rae shares her tips for success as a creator and business owner. In today’s episode of the Rundown with Ramon, hosted by small business expert Ramon Ray, publisher of ZoneofGenius.com we also share about the rivalry with two private jet industry owners; insights from Amazon’s thousands of sellers and more.
Issa Rae’s Keys to Success
Acclaimed producer and actress Issa Rae shared some of her strategies for success with Business Insider.
Waking up at 4 AM as her “cheat code” for productivity
Using early mornings for workouts and journaling
Hiring a TV producer as her first and most essential team member
Valuing honesty in collaborations and partnerships
Finding environments outside the home to boost creativity
Lessons from Private Jet Industry Rivalry
Ramon discussed the ongoing feud between two private jet charter companies via the WSJ, highlighting an important lesson for business owners:
Focusing on mudslinging and personal attacks can be detrimental
It’s often better to ignore competitors and concentrate on building your own brand and serving customers
The Importance of Succession Planning
A Scotiabank survey revealed that many small business owners lack succession plans:
48% of Canadian small business owners plan to exit their businesses within the next decade
43% of those planning to exit within six years are not well-prepared
Ramon recommends John Warlow’s books on business exit strategies
Amazon’s Small Business Empowerment Report
Key findings from Amazon’s 2023 report on independent sellers:
Over 10,000 independent sellers surpassed $1 million in sales for the first time
U.S.-based sellers exported over 330 million items globally
Independent sellers employed more than 1.8 million people
Over 100,000 sellers used Amazon’s AI listing tools
Rural sellers grew sales by more than 60%
Insights from Maria Cho, CEO of Triple Bar

Maria Cho discussed her company’s work in synthetic food technology:
Using biotechnology to create sustainable food sources
Leveraging AI in research and development processes
Emphasizing the importance of company culture and values
Encouraging women to get involved in STEM and AI fields
Sleep Patterns and Individual Needs
Time Magazine explored why some people need more sleep than others:
Sleep needs change throughout our lifetimes
Factors like gender, genetics, and sleep disorders can influence sleep requirements
Understanding your personal sleep patterns can lead to better rest and productivity
Landline Phone Ownership Trends
A CDC study, via USA Today, revealed interesting traits of landline phone owners:
More likely to live in the Northeast
Tend to have healthier lifestyle habits
Less than 25% of Americans still own landlines
Ramon Ray’s Rundown provides a diverse mix of business insights, technology trends, and personal development tips. By staying informed on these topics, entrepreneurs and business leaders can continue to grow and adapt in an ever-changing business landscape.
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