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/