Founders in Full
Founders in Full explores the future of family-focused solutions—from innovative tech startups to mission-driven services and products that help parents, caregivers, and families thrive.
Each episode features candid conversations with founders on what it really takes to start and scale: from customer research and product-market fit to brand positioning and marketing strategies that drive growth.
Whether you’re a family-focused founder, investor, or advocate, you’ll hear real stories and practical lessons on finding your ideal customer, crafting trust-building messaging, choosing the right channels, and prioritizing time and budget when every decision counts.
Hosted by Dan Ritzke—Fractional CMO and FamTech Marketing Consultant—Founders in Full shares the stories and insights of the people shaping the next generation of family-centered solutions.
Founders in Full
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/
Connect with me (Dan Ritzke):
I’m a Fractional CMO who helps FamTech companies position their brand, sharpen their messaging, create marketing strategies that drive growth, and oversee execution to make sure those plans turn into results.
👉 Visit my website: https://danritzke.com/
👉 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ritzke/
Apply to be on the podcast or nominate a founder:
👉 Founders in Full: https://danritzke.com/podcast/