Scoop Dreams: How Mike Ridgway Became a Title Titan and Ice Cream Icon

Yep. Ice cream.

Mike’s story kicks off in Montgomery County, Maryland, where his dad, an old-school title attorney, roped him into abstracting as a summer gig. Mike was just a high school freshman, pedaling through D.C. summer thunderstorms to dig through records. Not exactly glamorous. But he was hooked. “It’s like solving puzzles,” he says, and from that moment, he never really stopped.

He kept at it through college and law school, climbing every rung in the industry: abstractor, managing 43 offices across eight states for a national underwriter, and eventually, agency co-founder and owner. But over time, he saw a bigger challenge: the industry was aging, and a lot of seasoned owners didn’t have an exit plan.

So Mike founded Community Title Network and started a quiet revolution. Eight acquisitions in eight years, 20+ offices—and still growing. His secret? Process and a team culture. “I’m a process guy,” he says with a grin. But instead of stamping every agency with the same mold, he offers something smarter: freedom within a framework. That means streamlined tools, automations, and back-end support, while still letting local leaders run the show. It’s a win-win: owners get to keep their identity and culture, and Mike gets scalable growth without losing soul.

But here’s where it gets fun.

Mike didn’t just want to scale his company. He wanted to build a voice in the industry. So, he turned to LinkedIn. He started posting, commenting, and sharing articles. It felt small at first, but people noticed. “I’d run into younger folks saying, ‘Mike, you’re killing it on social!’” he laughs.

And then came July, 2022. National Ice Cream Month. His team cooked up an idea: let’s do a fun video series reviewing flavors. Mike, being Mike, leaned in hard. In one clip, he dramatically tossed the losing flavor aside. It was goofy. It was fun. And people loved it.

Boom! Ice Cream Mike was born.

He used AI tools like ChatGPT to help script videos. He kept the tech simple: an iPhone, a $15 teleprompter app, a basic ring light, and a mic. And suddenly, Community Title Network’s social engagement skyrocketed. Managers wanted in. Offices across the Mid-Atlantic started filming their own clips on all kinds of fun topics. Today, they’ve got a shared portal of video scripts, monthly social media reviews, and a team that treats content like part of the business and not an afterthought.

“We had our biggest engagement spike last year because of those videos,” Mike says. “And it’s opened real doors, including referral partners, strategic conversations, even deals.”

The real genius? Each review highlights a local shop, spotlighting small businesses and keeping the brand grounded in community. And Mike’s not precious about it. “It doesn’t have to be perfect,” he says. “Just do it. Talk about your town. Share why you got into the business. People connect with real.”

At golf outings and industry conferences, people now nudge him: “When’s the next review, Mike?” What started as a lighthearted experiment became a branding powerhouse. And it proves something bigger: no matter how long you’ve been in the game, there’s always room to evolve, experiment, and have a little fun.

So what’s stopping you?

Grab your phone. Tell your story. Or heck—go review a local scoop shop. If Mike Ridgway can go from title titan to ice cream icon, maybe your next great business move is just one cone away.