
Outside Insights
Outside Insights is a platform for sharing your lessons and ideas for closing your personal gap. New thoughts to ponder every other week at myplacers.com/outside-insights.
Outside Insights
From IT to BBQ: Jake Ruddy’s Recipe for Business Success
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Chris Burkhard
Have you ever wondered what IT services and barbecue have in common? There’s more overlap than you might expect! In this episode of Outside Insights, I talked with Jake Ruddy, the President of PCS, a leading IT services company. He is also the creative force behind Rum and Cook, a rapidly growing YouTube channel dedicated to barbecue.
Jakes’s journey focuses on building, scaling, and leading businesses while enjoying slow-smoked ribs. He discusses what it takes to grow a business, emphasizing that leadership and customer service are essential. Additionally, he shares how he transformed his passion for barbecue into a profitable side hustle.
What You’ll Learn
- Mastery, Tech & BBQ — Discover the surprising similarities between running an IT company and perfecting the ideal brisket.
- Scaling & Leadership — Understand the challenges of business growth, effective delegation, and developing the next generation of leaders.
- Mindset & Money — Explore how affirmations, goal-setting, and financial literacy contribute to achieving success.
- Content & Community — Learn how Rum and Cook evolved from a passion project into a thriving brand.
- Customer Service Wins — Find out why exceptional service is key to any successful business.
Jake’s Must-Read Book List
- Leadership and Self-Deception — The Arbinger Institute
- The Richest Man in Babylon — George S. Clason
- The Culture Code — Daniel Coyle