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/

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