
Build the People
Dive into the world of leadership, culture, and people management in the South African context. Hosted by Christiaan van den Berg.
Build the People
Culture Over Convenience: The Bootlegger Leadership Story (Ricky Ruthenberg)
How do you build a brand that customers love, and a culture your people stay loyal to?
In this episode, Christiaan van den Berg sits down with Ricky Ruthenberg, CEO of Bootlegger Coffee Company, to explore the leadership lessons behind one of South Africa’s most recognisable coffee brands.
From growing up in Cape Town's restaurant scene to helping Bootlegger expand to over 77 locations nationwide, Ricky shares the pivotal moments, people-first principles, and hard-won wisdom that shaped his journey.
For South African CEOs, and people leaders building for the long haul, you'll walk away with key insights on:
- Why culture beats convenience in scaling a business
- How to hire for character, not just experience
- Building simple, focused systems that drive consistent growth
- Leading with empathy while staying true to your standards
- Creating spaces and teams where people genuinely want to stay
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Connect with Christiaan van den Berg on LinkedIn.
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