

Rails Business
Brendan Buckingham & Ryan Frisch
Brendan Buckingham and Ryan Frisch talk about developing with Ruby on Rails and how to leverage it to build a business.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 19, 2025 • 27min
Challenges in App Integration and Data Synchronization
In this episode, the hosts discuss the complexities of app development, particularly focusing on integrating third-party data feeds and maintaining data synchronization within a Rails application. They explore issues like managing incomplete or variable data, updating data based on third-party changes, and the broader challenges of integration. The conversation also delves into the prioritization of feature requests, handling customer feedback, and the balance between building in-house solutions and leveraging external tools. They reflect on their experiences with specific integrations like HubSpot and emphasize the significance of clear product vision and efficient management of development priorities.00:40 Dealing with Incomplete Data in Event Feeds01:16 Syncing and Updating Event Data02:13 Integration Challenges with HubSpot02:37 Source of Truth Dilemma04:22 Sales and Marketing Integration Issues06:51 Product-Led Growth and HubSpot Integration Goals09:15 The Complexity of Building Custom Integrations21:09 Balancing Customer Requests and Product Vision24:37 Conclusion: Reflecting on Integration RequestsLinks:- Ryan's Website- Brendan's BlueskySend us a text

Mar 11, 2025 • 25min
Breaking Down Work into Manageable Chunks
In this discussion, Ryan and Brendan delve into the challenges and strategies around managing Stripe invoice rate limits and the broader topic of breaking down work into manageable chunks. They highlight the importance of breaking down large tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces for better estimation, easier reviews, and improved project flow. They also share their thoughts on estimation and the Shape Up methodology, emphasizing the benefits of delivering constant incremental improvements.00:00 Introduction to Stripe Invoices Rate Limiting00:15 Manual vs. Automatic Invoice Processing01:13 Rate Limiting and Its Implications02:22 Different Approaches to Invoicing05:02 Stripe API Changes and Challenges08:46 Breaking Down Work into Small Chunks18:57 Project Management and Estimation Techniques23:33 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsLinks:- Ryan's Website- Brendan's BlueskySend us a text

Feb 25, 2025 • 30min
Navigating the Freelance and Product Development Landscape with Jason Swett
In this episode of the Rails Business Podcast, hosts Brendan Buckingham and Ryan Frisch welcome Jason Swett, a content creator and Ruby influencer. The conversation dives deep into the intricacies of consulting, emphasizing the importance of sales and marketing. Jason shares his experiences and challenges in freelancing, noting the similarities to full-time employment. They also explore Jason's new venture, a continuous integration platform called Saturn CI, and his long-term goal of balancing a product-building endeavor with stable income.00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction01:16 Consulting Insights and Advice02:26 Balancing Sales, Marketing, and Development04:17 Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment05:46 Challenges in Freelancing07:46 Advisory Work and Its Difficulties09:15 Considering Full-Time Employment11:30 Product Development Journey14:01 Finding a Viable Product Idea19:01 Evaluating Business Ideas26:13 Leveraging Influence for Product Success29:08 Conclusion and Contact InformationLinks:- Jason's Website- Jason's Podcast- Sin City Ruby- Jason's BookSend us a text

Feb 11, 2025 • 24min
Developer Origins and Ruby on Rails Journeys
In this inaugural episode of the Rails Business Podcast, Ryan Frisch, CTO at Locable, and Brendan Buckingham, VP of Engineering, dive into their journeys into the world of Ruby on Rails. They discuss their initial forays into programming, transitioning from different languages like PHP to Ruby, and the allure of Rails. The episode also covers the challenges of managing tech debt in growing companies, the role of junior developers, and the importance of mentorship. Tune in for insights into their developer origins and the evolution of their careers with Ruby on Rails.00:00 Introduction to the Rails Business Podcast00:36 Ryan's Journey into Ruby and Rails03:23 Brendan's Path to Rails and Ruby06:00 Challenges and Milestones in Learning Rails17:02 Hiring and Mentoring Junior Developers18:05 Dealing with Tech Debt and Refactoring23:42 Wrapping Up and Future TopicsLinks:- Ryan's Website- Brendan's BlueskySend us a text