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
Mike Valente - Renovation Sells
In this episode of Founders in Full, I talk with Mike Valente, founder and CEO of Renovation Sells, a fast-growing franchise business that helps homeowners prepare their homes for sale through smart, design-driven renovations.
Mike shares how he went from hauling beer on Wrigleyville rooftops to launching a remodeling business—and ultimately building a national brand by finding a niche and committing to it.
We dive into:
- The winding journey from inside sales to real estate, construction, and entrepreneurship
- How Renovation Sells turned quick, pre-sale upgrades into a scalable business model
- Why finding your niche isn’t always immediate—but it changes everything once you do
- The role branding and positioning played in validating their model and attracting franchisees
- What it takes to grow fast while protecting the brand and supporting a national network of owners
If you’re a founder, builder, or just figuring out how to scale the thing you’ve already started, this episode is packed with insights you’ll want to take notes on.
Learn more about Renovation Sells: https://www.renovationsells.com
Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renovatetosell/
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/