If wealth preservation, passive income, or precious metals have ever been on your radar, this link is a great place to start: https://7kmetals.com/blpodcast
Welcome to another episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast. In this episode, we hear from Ron Rubin, Executive Chairman of The Republic of Tea, owner of River Road Family Vineyards and Winery, and author of Gold in Your Backyard: Lessons in Life, Leadership, and the Power of a Dream. With more than five decades of experience building and scaling successful businesses across the beverage industry, Ron brings deep insight into entrepreneurship, innovation, and values-based leadership.
We talk about the different chapters of Ron’s career, from working in his family’s distribution business, to founding New Age Beverages, to purchasing The Republic of Tea, and eventually River Road Family Vineyards and Winery. He also shares how a near-fatal heart condition reshaped the way he thinks about time, purpose, and legacy, and explains the meaning behind Gold in Your Backyard and why so many leaders overlook the opportunities right in front of them.
We also explore how he takes calculated, values-based risks, finds advisors who challenge his thinking, drives innovation even when resources are limited, and builds teams that genuinely care.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business leader, or someone looking to build purpose-driven companies that last, this episode is packed with actionable insights and lessons from a career spanning more than five decades.
Notable Awards and Recognitions
• Executive Chairman of The Republic of Tea. Leading one of the most recognized specialty tea brands in the U.S., known for quality, innovation, and a focus on enriching lives through tea.
• Owner of River Road Family Vineyards and Winery. Operating a Sonoma County winery committed to sustainability, producing exceptional wines, and creating a memorable experience for guests.
• Author of Gold in Your Backyard: Lessons in Life, Leadership, and the Power of a Dream. Sharing over five decades of business and life lessons, offering practical advice for entrepreneurs and leaders.
• Founded New Age Beverages and built a multi-state distribution network for Clearly Canadian Sparkling Water, selling over 3 million cases through 100+ distributors.
• Founder of the Ron Rubin School for the Entrepreneur, providing hands-on creative and business education at his alma mater, Culver Academies, and a former MBA instructor at St. Louis University, awarded Faculty of the Year.
How to connect with Ron Rubin
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronrubin/
• https://riverroadvineyards.com/
• https://www.republicoftea.com/
• ron@goldinyourbackyard.com
Show Notes
[1:53] Ron reflects on the different chapters of his career, from distribution to tea to wine, and how he personally describes the journey that brought him to where he is today.
[3:56] How his near-fatal heart condition reshaped the way he thinks about time, purpose, and legacy.
[5:24] The meaning behind the phrase “Gold in Your Backyard” and why many leaders overlook the opportunities already in front of them.
[8:23] Ron shares how he distinguishes between values-based risks and reckless risks in his business decisions.
[10:40] How to find advisors and mentors who challenge your thinking rather than just offer validation.
[12:40] How his approach to driving innovation even when resources like time and capital are limited.
[15:35] The key behaviors leaders should model to build a team that truly cares.
[21:06] How Ron integrates reading and continuous learning into his week, even in a fast-paced business environment.
[23:13] What he hopes readers of Gold in Your Backyard feel inspired or challenged to do differently after finishing the book.
[26:15] Ron shares the best ways for listeners to follow his journey, support his work, and get a copy of Gold in Your Backyard.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
