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/

Need help with your marketing?

I’m Dan Ritzke, marketing consultant, and Founder of Third Act Marketing. I help growing businesses create clarity, build marketing systems that drive results, and get the support they need—whether that’s a focused project or ongoing fractional leadership.

Learn more about Third Act Marketing: https://www.thirdactmarketing.com

Connect with Dan on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ritzke

Know someone who would be a great guest for the podcast?

Apply or refer someone here: https://www.thirdactmarketing.com/podcast