#187 - The Long Game: Ron Rubin on Building Culture, Compounding Wisdom, and Finding Gold in Your Backyard

What does it look like to build a business and a life over decades with real intention?

In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, Mark Perkins sits down with Ron Rubin, CEO of The Republic of Tea, entrepreneur, educator, and author of Gold in Your Backyard.

Ron has spent more than 40 years studying, building, and refining what actually works in business. He has read over 1,500 business books and, more importantly, applied those lessons in the real world. This conversation is not about theory. It is about execution, discipline, and playing the long game.

Ron also shares the story behind River Road Family Vineyards & Winery, a lifelong goal that came together through patience, persistence, and clarity of vision.

This episode focuses on what most entrepreneurs overlook. The small decisions. The daily habits. The culture you build when no one is watching.

You will hear how Ron thinks about leadership, brand experience, and why the greatest opportunities are often already sitting right in front of you.

Key Takeaways:

• Why consistent learning compounds over time
• How to apply ideas from books into real business decisions
• The importance of culture and attention to detail
• Why patience and long-term thinking win
• How to recognize and act on the "gold in your backyard"

Who this is for: Entrepreneurs and leaders who want to build something meaningful, sustainable, and built to last.

📌 Connect With Us: Website: https://www.thenecessaryentrepreneur.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenecessaryentrepreneur Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenecessaryentrepreneur/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNecessaryEntrepreneurPod X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/MPerkinsTNE LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tnepod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tneclips Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6xhGUE1yzy2N0AemUOlJPx?si=d1c5c316af404f15 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/the-necessary-entrepreneur/id1547181167 📌 Find Out More About Ron Rubin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronrubin/ https://www.republicoftea.com/ https://www.instagram.com/republicoftea/ https://www.facebook.com/RepublicofTea https://goldinyourbackyard.com/