đď¸ Chit Chat with Derek and Cat is your backstage pass into the world of family businessesâthe challenges, the triumphs, and the real stories behind the storefronts. Each episode, Derek and Cat sit down with entrepreneurs and leaders from family-owned companies to talk shop, swap stories, and dig into what makes these businesses thrive across generations.
Whether you're part of a family business, dreaming of starting one, or just love a good success story, you'll walk away with insights, laughs, and maybe a few lessons learned the hard way.
Tune in and join the chit chat!
Publisher
Institute for Family-Owned Business / Volk Packaging Corporation
Episode 12: The American Dream Reimagined â Succession, Resilience, and Culture
Quang Nguyen is the part-owner of Fishermanâs Net in Brunswick, Maine, and he shares his journey from Vietnam to building a thriving first-generation family business. He reflects on blending Vietnamese and Maine seafood traditions, balancing multiple ventures, supporting his community, and the importance of boundaries, legacy and succession in family-owned enterprises.
Tune in to this episode as we explore:
(01:50) Founding Fishermanâs Net
(06:06) Work-free family bonding
(08:51) How community support boosts restaurant success
(12:09) Empowering others through business
(14:49) Redefining the American dream
(18:47) Learning English as a Second Language (ESL)
(21:54) Having a legacy or exit strategy
(23:48) Restaurant deals and community support
Links mentioned in this episode:
Quang Nguyen on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/quang-nguyen-641972359/)
Fishermanâs Net (https://fishnetmaine.com/)
Connect with the show:
www.fambusiness.org (http://www.fambusiness.org/)
www.volkboxes.com (http://www.volkboxes.com/)
14 Jan 2026
Episode 11: Passing Down Success: Succession Strategies for Thriving Family Businesses
Join us for a powerful conversation with Tammy Buss, a seasoned family business advisor and family business survivor, who offers rare insight into the emotional realities of transitioning a family enterprise.
Tammy shares firsthand stories from her own journey while unpacking the complexities of succession, communication breakdowns, and generational change. From governance pitfalls to the value of early, open conversations, this episode reveals why running a family business is never as simple as it seems⌠and what it truly takes to navigate transition.
Tune in to this episode as we explore:
(00:58) The work Tammy Buss does
(03:49) Self-employed financial services journey
(07:35) Evolving roles in business growth
(11:18) Three-circle model explained
(12:55) Ownership vs active involvement
(18:05) Cousinsâ business transition decisions
(22:21) Family business transition strategy
(22:58) Preparing a family business for sale
(28:12) Letting go for better leadership
(31:22) Family business values and vision
(32:52) Fair vs equal in family business
(36:27) Tragedy that shaped a career
Links mentioned in this episode:
âPassing Down Your Successâ by Tammy Buss (https://www.amazon.com/Passing-Down-Your-Success-Transition/dp/B0CLG1DRRX)
Tammy Buss on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammybuss/)
Connect with the show:
www.fambusiness.org (http://www.fambusiness.org/)
www.volkboxes.com (http://www.volkboxes.com/)
7 Jan 2026
Episode 10: Bringing in the Next Gen â DP Industriesâ Transition and Lessons Learned
DP Industriesâ co-owner Brent Dugal takes us inside his familyâs manufacturing journey â from crafting wooden flatware in the early days to delivering innovative, custom products around the world.
Brent opens up about the realities of building a business with family, the impact of generational leadership, and why communication and a bit of thick skin matter more than you think. He also shares a glimpse into the future with emerging tech like QR codes, along with his own unexpected path from aspiring pilot to business leader.
Tune in to this episode as we explore:
(01:02) Brentâs work at DP Industries
(04:16) Decline of manufacturers' reps
(08:57) QR code on chips
(12:08) Nephewâs career shift to Maine
(14:09) Family dynamics and business relationships
(18:27) Work vs family bonds
(20:55) Prioritize outcomes over details
(26:25) Lessons from flight instructing
(29:42) Get in touch with Brent Dugal
Links mentioned in this episode:
DP Industries (https://www.dpind.com/)
Political Orphanage â Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/6lVHRgLC9GVtRUHlGQweNb)
Connect with the show:
www.fambusiness.org (http://www.fambusiness.org/)
www.volkboxes.com (http://www.volkboxes.com/)
31 Dec 2025
Episode 9: People, and Pancakes: Inside Waltz and Sonsâ Unique Approach to Family Business
Waltz and Sons arenât just leaders in service; theyâre ahead of the curve with renewable propane and committed to hands-on in-house training for both men and women on their staff. Today weâre joined by Kevin Kopack and Derek Down from Waltz and Sons to hear how a humble basement startup transformed into a thriving residential propane business. Find out why customer service is at the heart of everything they do, and how their team rituals (like daily breakfast together) foster a tight-knit, family-like culture.
Tune in to this episode as we explore:
(01:25) Residential propane business origins
(05:09) Propane as a renewable residential fuel
(08:32) How customer service drives success
(10:57) Comprehensive in-house propane training
(15:05) Connect with Waltz and Sons
Links mentioned in this episode:
Waltz and Sons (https://www.waltzandsons.com/)
Walts and Sons on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/waltzandsons)
Connect with the show:
www.fambusiness.org (http://www.fambusiness.org/)
www.volkboxes.com (http://www.volkboxes.com/)
17 Dec 2025
Episode 8: Adapting to Change: AI, Family Firms, and Emotional Wealth Management with Fred Williams
Fred Williams is the Managing Director at Old Port Advisors, and he joins Chit Chat to unpack the origins of Old Port Advisors, sharing how his firm grew from the brokerage industry in the '70s to a fiduciary wealth management and consulting company serving families, endowments, and retirement plans nationwide.
Discover Fredâs candid insights into the emotional side of finance, the challenges and joys of working with family enterprises, and how collaboration and personalized problem-solving have set Old Port Advisors apart in a competitive landscape.
Tune in to this episode as we explore:
(01:27) Fredâs work at Old Port Advisors
(05:13) Wine and nine golfing
(08:05) Competitive industry and fiduciary focus
(12:12) Embracing uncertainty as normal
(16:10) Maine's evolving business landscape
(18:44) Sales cycle variability across industries
(21:25) AI: balancing innovation and limitations
(24:35) Evolving through art and emotion
(27:27) Global perspectives in business monitoring
Links mentioned in this episode:
Old Port Advisors (https://www.oldportadvisors.com/)
Fed Williams on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredric-williams-0a54621/)
Connect with the show:
www.fambusiness.org (http://www.fambusiness.org)
www.volkboxes.com (http://www.volkboxes.com)
5 Dec 2025
Episode 7: Reinventing Tradition: How Hussey Seating Thrives Across Eight Generations
Rich Hussey is the sixth-generation leader of Hussey Seating â a Maine company thatâs been thriving since 1835 and spans eight generations. Rich gives us an inside look at the evolution of his familyâs company, from its origins making plows and fire escapes to becoming a leader in spectator seating for venues ranging from school gymnasiums to NFL stadiums. He shares the story of Hussey Seatingâs commitment to innovation, the challenges and triumphs of navigating generational transitions, and the pivotal steps theyâve taken.
Tune in to this episode as we explore:
(05:16) Family business evolution and growth
(06:44) Structured governance through objectivity
(11:11) Family business education and legacy
(16:38) Successful leadership transition insights
(18:33) Family governance and leadership transition
(20:38) Board and leadership role separation
(26:37) Preparing next generation leaders
(31:01) Family business governance insights
(36:44) Employees' word usage pool
(40:42) Gartner's impact on HR research
Links mentioned in this episode:
Hussey Seating (https://www.husseyseating.com/)
Rich Hussey on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/richhussey/)
Gartner Research (https://www.gartner.com/en/human-resources/research)
Connect with the show:
www.fambusiness.org (http://www.fambusiness.org)
www.volkboxes.com (http://www.volkboxes.com)
25 Sept 2025
Overflowing Abundance: How One Owner Balances Business and Giving Back
Welcome to another episode of Chit Chat with Derek and Cat! Today, we sit down with Eddie Woodin, a dynamic family business owner, passionate philanthropist and newly published author of âOverflowing Abundanceâ. Eddie opens up about leading his manufacturing company through tough times, embracing resilience and how his faith inspired his generous approach to business and life.
The conversation also delves into Eddieâs charitable initiatives, from supporting seniors and their pets to championing environmental causes, alongside behind-the-scenes stories from running a multi-generational business. Whether you love family business tales, entrepreneurial insights, or simply a dose of inspiration, this episode has something for you.
Tune in to this episode as we explore:
(05:23) Career transition to entrepreneurship
(07:54) Economic indicators in packaging shift
(12:27) Finding god: a personal journey
(13:17) Embrace and share your gifts
(18:06) Polyglot immigrant inspires community
(20:13) Old teammates launch publishing platform
(26:10) Autism causes and personal perspective
(27:41) Priceless bird art dilemma
(32:33) Eddie Wooden's recognition journey
Links mentioned in this episode:
Chasing the Rabbit â Book (https://chasingtherabbit.org/)
Eddie Woodinâs Website (https://eddiewoodin.com/)
Overflowing Abundance â Book (https://www.amazon.com/Overflowing-Abundance-Partnership-Produced-Prosperity/dp/B0F9LFSH4M)
Connect with the Chit Chat:
www.fambusiness.org (http://www.fambusiness.org)
www.volkboxes.com (http://www.volkboxes.com)
22 Jul 2025
Episode 5: Dig into family legacy with Larry Grondin, R.J. Gronin & Sons đđˇââď¸
In this video podcast episode, we sit down with Larry Grondin, 3rd-generation (now 4th!) leader of RJ Grondin & Sons, a Maine-based powerhouse in heavy civil construction. đŁď¸đď¸
From dairy farming roots to multimillion-dollar site development projects, Larry shares how the business has evolved across generations â with đŞ strong family values, đĄ intentional succession planning, and đ strategic growth.
We dig into:
⨠Lessons learned from 65+ years of family business
đ¨đŠđŚ Navigating succession and shareholder agreements
đ§ The challenges of growing from 5 to 2 family partners
đ Giving back to the community â youth sports, boards, and beyond
đ ď¸ Multi-generational employees & the power of culture
đ Building for the next 10 years with vision and strategy
If you're in a family business â or building a legacy of your own â this episode is packed with gold đ
#FamilyBusiness #MaineStrong #ConstructionLife #LegacyBuilding #ChitChatWithDerekAndCat
Show notes:
Visit www.fambusiness.org
https://volkboxes.com
3 Jun 2025
Episode 4: Rooted in Tradition with Matt McAdam of McDougal Orchards
Matt McAdam, seventh-generation owner of McDougal Orchards, discusses his family's agricultural roots and the importance of creating meaningful experiences through small-scale farming in this interview with Derek Volk and Catherine Wygant Fossett.
20 May 2025
Episode 3: Forecasting the Future: Dr. John Austin on Strategic Foresight in Business
n this enlightening episode of Chit Chat with Derek & Cat, we sit down with Dr. John AustinâDean of the Honors College at the University of New England and a partner at Dynamic Foresight. Dr. Austin is renowned for his expertise in human performance and leadership, and he brings a wealth of knowledge on how businesses can navigate uncertainty through strategic foresight.
We delve into the distinction between forecasting and foresight, exploring how organizations can move beyond reactive change management to proactive future planning. Dr. Austin shares insights on building resilience, embracing uncertainty, and integrating foresight into organizational strategy to better prepare for what's ahead.
Whether you're leading a family business or part of a larger organization, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on anticipating change and positioning your business for long-term success.
5 May 2025
Episode 2: Leading with Legacy: Stacy Stitham on Guiding Family Businesses Through Legal Landscapes
In this episode of Chit Chat with Derek & Cat, we sit down with Stacy Stitham, Managing Partner at Brann & Isaacson âď¸, to explore the intersection of law and family business. As a fifth-generation Maine attorney, Stacy shares her journey from growing up in a small-town law practice to leading a nationally recognized firm.
We dive into the unique legal challenges that family-owned businesses faceâfrom succession planning to protecting intellectual property đź. Stacy offers practical insights on how Brann & Isaacson supports these enterprises, ensuring they thrive across generations. Her experience in civil and commercial litigation, as well as leadership roles in organizations like the Maine State Bar Association, brings valuable perspective to the evolving family business landscape.
đď¸ Tune in to hear Stacyâs inspiring story of leadership, legacy, and legal savvyâand walk away with tools to help your family business flourish.
23 Apr 2025
Episode 1: Meet Derek and Cat â Why Family Business, Why Now?
In this special kickoff episode of Chit Chat with Derek and Cat, your hostsâCatherine Wygant Fossett and Derek Volkâturn the mic on each other to share their own family business journeys, the inspiration behind the podcast, and what you can expect from future episodes.
Catherine, Executive Director of the Institute for Family-Owned Business (IFOB) (https://www.fambusiness.org/), and Derek, CEO of Volk Packaging Corporation (https://volkboxes.com/), have worked with and within family businesses for decades. Now, they're teaming up to explore the stories behind Maineâs most fascinating family-run companies.
Together, they chat about:
Why family businesses are the backbone of our economyâmaking up over 80% of businesses nationwide
The unique dynamics, values, and legacy that make family-run companies so resilient
The joys and challenges of working with loved ones
How businesses navigate succession, growth, and generational change
And what listeners can learn from real families building real businesses
Whether youâre in a family business, love small business stories, or just enjoy authentic conversations, this episode sets the stage for a podcast full of insight, inspiration, and a whole lot of heart.
đď¸Â Real conversations. Real families. Real business.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
13,761
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 30 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
19
Social presence
0
YouTube
72
Engagement
32
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