Interview with Marc Michel, Co-Founder and CEO of Reno
In the ever-evolving landscape of home renovation, innovation and quality often take center stage. Today, we are privileged to speak with [Interviewee’s Name], the co-founder and CEO of Reno, a cutting-edge renovation platform that is redefining how we approach home transformations. With a background in consulting and a passion for design, [Interviewee’s Name] shares the inspiration behind Reno, the challenges faced in the industry, and the future of renovations in the digital age. Join us as we delve into an insightful conversation about the driving forces behind Reno and the vision that fuels its success.
As the co-founder and CEO, can you tell us about the inspiration behind starting your renovation business?
The inspiration behind starting a renovation business came about a year ago when my co-founder, Amr, and I were renovating our homes in Cairo and Dubai. As we shared our experiences, we realized we faced the same challenges: poor quality of contractors’ work, timeline overruns, and budget issued. We discovered that we were not alone—80% of renovations either run over time, over budget, or never even finish. Seeing this widespread problem and recognizing that our expertise aligned perfectly with it, we saw a great opportunity. That’s how Reno was born.
What are the most important duties you perform in your current job, and how do they contribute to your overall goals?
As the co-founder and CEO, my most important duties include strategic planning, overseeing daily operations, and ensuring the quality and consistency of our projects. Strategic planning involves setting the vision and direction for the company, identifying growth opportunities, and developing long-term goals. By doing this, I ensure that our company stays on track to achieve its objectives and continues to grow
What is the most memorable achievement in your career so far, and what did it teach you?
In my life before Reno, As a McKinsey consultant I have served many high profile clients and every time I strived to bring the best results for my clients. As you can imagine, projects were extremely complex and challenging and often, there was no one straightforward answer. Stakes are usually high and our work could make or break businesses.
However, nothing compares to the feeling of building my own business. My proudest achievement to- ate is rallying many stakeholders behind Reno’s cause – whether it’s attracting top talent in our team, bringing some of the region’s leading investors on board, or partnering up with top-profile companies as a small startup.
This is why I believe that we at Reno have the right recipe to enable delightful and accessible renovations to everyone. What sets your company apart from other renovation businesses in the area?
What sets our company apart from other renovation businesses in the market is our comprehensive approach to the renovation process. Reno is a one-stop renovation platform that covers the entire spectrum of renovation services. We offer end-to-end services, from initial interior design to complete renovation, handling every aspect of the project so our clients can sit back and relax and it doesn’t stop there! We also provide easy installment plans, making it financially manageable for our clients without the stress of upfront costs. Additionally, our innovative real-time tracking app allows clients to monitor the progress of their renovation projects, providing transparency and peace of mind.
How do you see AI and new technologies influencing the future of your field, and what role will they play in your organization’s strategy? And what other future innovations are you looking forward to?
AI and new technologies are set to revolutionize the renovation industry, and we’re embracing them early on as a part of Reno’ strategy. We have already integrated AI to enhance design accuracy, streamline project management, and provide personality and mood-based recommendations to our clients. Our real-time tracking app leverages AI to predict project timelines and helps us optimize resource allocation. This proactive approach minimizes potential issues and keeps projects on track and within budget.
What advice would you offer to newcomers in your industry, particularly those who aspire to follow in your footsteps?
My advice would be, to have patience and recognize the importance of setting the right foundations before expecting tangible results. In the early stages of a company, there’s a lot of seemingly mundane groundwork that needs to be addressed, including administrative tasks, recruitment, and legal processes. Handling these aspects with care and getting them right is essential for long-term success; it can significantly impact the company’s future – the renovation industry is constantly evolving. Invest in continuous learning and professional development to stay current with industry advancements and improve your skills.
Can you describe your typical renovation process from start to finish?
The clients can schedule a free consultation with one of our top designers, where they discuss their vision and requirements. Next, Reno team conducts an on-site visit to understand the nuances of the space. The client then chooses between our 3, 6 or 12 month payment plans, and we kick the project off.
During the design phase, the client can track designer’s work and provide comments in real time on Reno app, in a beautiful, Instagram-like fashion.
Once the design is perfected, we take care of building permits and we match the client with the contractor who is best equipped to bring that vision to life.
We manage the renovation phase end-to-end, while the client tracks the progress in a few simple clicks, from anywhere in the world.
How do you help clients choose the right design for their space?
We believe that everyone deserves a home that reflects their style and makes them smile every time they step inside. If our interests, hobbies and aspirations keep evolving throughout our lives, then why should we live in our past selves’ homes? That’s our approach at Reno. We match the client a top interior designer who is best suited to their needs, and the magic starts there.
Of course, the key is to reliably make a beautiful design into a reality, and that’s where our stringent project management and quality control processes come in place. We’re more than just a design or a renovation company; we’re our client’ partner in creating an enjoyable renovation experience from start to finish.
As we wrap up our discussion, it’s clear that Reno is not just another player in the renovation market; it is a beacon of innovation and a testament to the power of collaboration and technology. [Interviewee’s Name]’s commitment to quality, transparency, and client satisfaction sets a new standard for the industry. As the future of renovations continues to unfold, we look forward to seeing how Reno will shape the experiences of homeowners and redefine the art of home transformation. Thank you, [Interviewee’s Name], for sharing your insights and vision with us today.
About Reno
Reno is the all-in-one, end-to-end interior design and renovation platform for residential and commercial projects. The first of its kind in the UAE, Reno combines cutting-edge technology with human expertise, to bring world-class interior designers and renovation experts directly to users in one convenient, app-based experience.
Founded in 2024 by CEO Marc Michel, CCO Amr Hosny and COO Farah Karabeg, Reno simplifies, streamlines and democratizes high-quality renovations, making them more accessible via live progress tracking, personalized service and an innovative Renovate Now, Pay Later (RNPL) financing solution. From initial design to final handover, Reno offers transparent, trusted solutions with clear timelines and costs, and quality craftsmanship guarantee
