No. 10: Charlie Gindele, founder of Renewal by Andersen of Orange County

Charlie Gindele is a hugely successful home improvement entrepreneur who, in 2019, sold Renewal by Anderson of Orange County—to Renewal by Andersen corporation. It was the capstone to a 38-year career in the industry. After the sale Gindele agreed to continue as general manager of the business until the end of 2021, when he retired and wrote a business book to help younger home improvement entrepreneurs. That book—Lessons Learned – My Journey from Contractor to Businessman—is available on Amazon.com. A Philadelphia native, he moved to California in 1984 to launch a roofing company and later a window division. He then launched a residential door distribution firm. And in 1993 all three of his businesses were merged into Dial One as a franchise unit. After phasing out the roofing business in 2000 to focus on windows and doors, in 2005 he signed on as a Renewal by Andersen affiliate. He took on fellow home improvement entrepreneur David Moore as a business partner in 2013 and they expanded their territory from Orange County into Riverside and San Bernardino counties. QR estimates that by 2021 Gindele's RBA affiliate billed in excess of $45 million in sales annually. RBA does not disclose its financial figures. Our conversation with Gindele covers lead generation, attracting high-quality talent, and the lessons he learned during his career. About the Talking TOP 500 Podcast The Talking TOP 500 podcast takes its name from Qualified Remodeler's annual ranking of the largest remodeling and home improvement companies. It features interviews with leading remodelers from around the United States and focuses on all aspects of growing and succeeding in home improvement and remodeling. Qualified Remodeler co-owner and publisher Patrick O'Toole as well as industry veteran Tim Musch, recently named a Legend of the Home Improvement industry serve as hosts of the podcast. Qualified Remodeler is a leading business-to-business media brand serving remodelers since 1975. To learn more and subscribe go to www.QualifiedRemodeler.com/subscribe.