Founders in Full
Founders in Full is a podcast about what it really takes to build a business—from early ideas to the brand you see today.
Hosted by Dan Ritzke, marketing consultant and founder of Third Act Marketing, each episode features honest conversations with founders who’ve built successful companies on their own terms. Some run lean, scrappy teams. Others are scaling fast. But all of them have one thing in common: they invested in their brand and marketing to get there.
This isn’t about theory or hype. It’s about real founders making real decisions—defining their brand, reaching the right audience, and figuring out what actually works.
If you're building something of your own, you'll walk away with stories, strategies, and takeaways you can put to work.
Founders in Full
Episode 2: Nick Nagele - Whiskey Acres Distilling Co.
In this episode of Founders in Full, I talk with Nick Nagele, co-founder of Whiskey Acres Distilling Co., one of the only true seed-to-spirit farm distilleries in the U.S.
Nick shares how a fifth-generation farm background, a passion for agriculture, and a leap of faith led to launching a whiskey brand rooted in storytelling, transparency, and terroir.
We dive into:
- How a side project became a full-fledged distillery—after a very real “let’s cash out our 401k” moment
- The zoning battles and government pushback that nearly derailed the business before it opened
- Why branding and storytelling became essential to their success (especially when they had nothing to sell)
- How they built a passionate following by turning customers into brand advocates—and even employees
- The long game of staying true to your vision in a market full of shortcuts
If you’re building something meaningful—and especially if marketing and brand clarity feel hard in the early stages—this episode will hit home.
Learn more about Whiskey Acres: https://www.whiskeyacres.com
Connect with Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicknagele/https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-nagele-3064495/
About Dan and Third Act Marketing:
I'm Dan Ritzke, founder of Third Act Marketing. I work with founders and growing businesses to help them get clear on their brand, build smart marketing strategies, and turn big ideas into real momentum.
If the conversations on Founders in Full got you thinking about your own marketing — your story, your positioning, your growth strategy — let’s connect.
👉 Learn more at: https://www.thirdactmarketing.com
👉 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritzke
Want to be on the podcast — or know a Founder with a story to tell and insights to share?
Founders in Full features real, honest conversations with founders about the highs, lows, and lessons of building a business. If you’d be a great guest (or know someone with a story worth sharing), I’d love to hear from you.
👉 Nominate a guest or apply to be on the show at https://www.thirdactmarketing.com/podcast