We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ramon Navos-Moral. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ramon below.

Ramon, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I often share that I work to feed my tummy, engage in boxing to sharpen my skills, and create music to feed my soul. Over my 18 years in California, I explored various industries, seeking my purpose and a niche for personal growth. This journey led me to the video game industry, where I worked at Hyperkin, developing licensed accessories for Microsoft, HTC Vive, and Oculus Rift.

Simultaneously, I pursued my passion as a topline songwriter and boxing instructor. A decade with Hyperkin ended when the pandemic struck, coinciding with my mother falling ill. This challenging period shifted my perspective, emphasizing the value of time. I relocated next to my family’s home, determined to find a business allowing time freedom to be with family and pursue music and boxing.

During a gathering, I jokingly asked my friend Joseph Mercado, a respected family man and entrepreneur with fast-food franchises, about investing in one of his restaurants. Surprisingly, a week later, he presented a franchise store opportunity in Rancho Cucamonga. Today, I am a co-owner of Potato Corner with my siblings.

Every decision carries risks, but in every failure lies a lesson. It’s crucial to use those lessons as stepping stones toward our goals, one step at a time.”

Ramon, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Ramon, a top-line singer-songwriter hailing from sunny Southern California. My journey into songwriting began as a passion project during my high school days. It’s a story of how a love for music shaped my life.

For those unfamiliar with the role of a top-liner, here’s a brief breakdown: Most of my clients are DJ/producers, management teams, or record labels. When they hire my services, I’m responsible for creating vocal melodies and lyrics for their instrumentals or beats. Once my clients approve my rough drafts, I head to a recording studio to lay down the vocals. With the assistance of my sound engineer, we compile the recorded vocals, selecting the best parts to create the final track. Each song’s recording process typically takes about 4 to 5 hours before I send it to my collaborator or client. They take it from there, mixing and mastering the instrumentals with my vocals and sending the final product to their respective record labels.

Growing up in a household of music enthusiasts, I was exposed to a wide range of tunes, such as The Eagles, Eric Clapton, The Carpenters, The Platters, Bee Gees, The Beach Boys, etc but it was the iconic sounds of The Beatles that truly captured my heart and sparked my curiosity.

My childhood was a blissful experience, steeped in the simplicity of the ’90s. I relished the freedom of playing outdoors under the sun, all while witnessing society’s transition into the digital era.

It was during this time that I realized I could create my own lyrics. Armed with instrumentals, I added my unique twist and lyrics, marking the start of my songwriting journey.

I went to La Salle Greenhills in highschool and it brought a different musical landscape, with most of my classmates gravitating toward Hip-Hop and RnB. We immersed ourselves in the sounds of Tupac, 112, Mario, Biggie, Nas, Snoop, Usher, and many others. Freestyle sessions and music-filled lunch breaks became the norm.

When I entered college in Ateneo De Naga University, the scene took a dramatic turn. Rock music reigned supreme, and one of the first friends I made was a fellow Beatles aficionado. He helped me with my confidence in songwriting, as he unapologetically shares his music and plays his own compositions. We couldn’t form a band together because, as he humorously put it, I was the “Paul McCartney” to his “John Lennon.”

That friend was Ahmad Tanji, a member of the band We Are Imaginary, and I am forever grateful to him for stoking my creative fires. Salamat, Padi!

His influence and the friends I met in college broadened my musical tastes, introducing me to the likes of Incubus, Dave Matthews, Gin Blossoms, System of a Down, Cranberries, Radiohead, Nirvana, Depeche Mode, Korn, Jason Mraz, Smashing Pumpkins, 311, etc.

After years of musical exploration, I found myself drawn to electronic music, particularly EDM. I started listening to Armin, Seven Lions, Above & Beyond, Alison Wonderland, What So Not, Gareth Emery, Slander, Flume, Zedd, Hardwell, just to name a few.

All this time, I have been dabbling in songwriting and I’ve been singing in a few bands I helped create or joined and In 2017, an opportunity arose, leading to the signing and release of my first original song on Deorro’s Pandafunk Records. This marked the beginning of a series of songwriting projects and ghostwriting gigs, working with independent EDM record labels and artists worldwide.

I owe immense gratitude to these record labels for their trust and the opportunities they’ve provided, including Bass Rebels from the UK, Blanco y Negro from Spain, Essential Music from Germany, Simplify Records, Ninety9Lives, EDM Sauce, EDM Family from France, High Five Music, Melodic Bassment, and Artist Intelligence Agency.

I’ve found my place in the DJ/Producer-dominated EDM industry, and I’m content with what I do. I have no intention of stopping my quest to evoke deep emotions and convey profound, sometimes cheesy messages through my lyrics. My inspiration comes from people, experiences, and events, and yes, I still craft my lyrics the old-fashioned way—with pen and paper.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Passion and networking are the cornerstones of my success in a niche market. Being deeply passionate about what I do not only fuels my creativity but also opens doors to new clients and opportunities. In this specialized field, knowing the right people can be a game-changer.

Opportunities to connect with the right individuals can arise from various sources. Networking events, social media platforms, mutual acquaintances, and the quality of your work itself all play vital roles. Your passion for your craft should be at the forefront of these interactions. It’s what sets you apart and makes a lasting impression.

As a creative professional, your work is more than just a job; it’s your business card and your product on display. When you pour your heart and soul into your work, it becomes a testament to your commitment and expertise. This level of dedication is what garners respect and credibility in your industry.

Remember, half-hearted efforts rarely yield meaningful connections or lasting success. Instead, let your passion shine through your work, and watch as it becomes the driving force behind your journey.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Life is a journey filled with valuable lessons learned from each challenge and experience we encounter. At various crossroads in our lifetime, we make choices that shape our path. I firmly believe that there are no inherently right or wrong decisions; instead, it’s our reactions that determine the outcomes.

This mindset has guided me throughout my career, particularly during my 10-year tenure in the video game industry. Starting as a sales assistant and eventually rising to the positions of sales representative, account manager, and senior account manager, my journey was far from conventional. Surprisingly, I wasn’t particularly passionate about video games when I first entered the industry. Still, I was driven by a thirst for knowledge and self-improvement.

I admit that I may have embellished my resume a bit when I applied for my initial role, but once I was hired, I immersed myself in learning about our products and market. Whether I was at home or in the office, I tirelessly researched, soaking up insights from my manager and my gaming enthusiast colleagues. My dedication paid off, and I left the company during the pandemic, not only as a better individual but also having made a significant contribution to the company’s expansion.

The pandemic brought a significant reset for many, myself included. The company had become a second home during my decade-long tenure, and stepping into the unknown territory of unemployment was daunting. However, I recognized the need to leave my comfort zone to achieve greater things in life.

Throughout this journey, I continued to accept songwriting gigs on the side, a passion that had been a constant in my life since 2017.

Fast forward to today, I find myself as a co-owner of a Potato Corner franchise alongside my siblings . Located within Haven City Market at 8443 Haven Ave., Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Potato Corner is a quick-service restaurant known for its flavored French fries, potato products, and chicken offerings. We are currently scouting for more potential locations to hopefully expand within the next year!

I often tell people, “I work to feed my tummy, and I make music to feed my soul.” My passion for music alone wouldn’t provide the lifestyle I desire, so I’ve learned to be adaptable to change, imaginative in exploring life’s possibilities, and brave in embracing failure, which I view as a valuable learning experience. Throughout it all, music, in its various forms and mediums, has remained the one constant that nourishes my soul.

My ultimate life goal is to utilize the blessings I’ve received to become a blessing to others.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.linktr.ee/theramon
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/theramon_vox
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/theramon
• Other: www.instagram.com/potatocorner_havencity

Image Credits
Othello Cacatian