Chit Chat with Derek and Cat

Episode 12: The American Dream Reimagined – Succession, Resilience, and Culture

Quang Nguyen is the part-owner of Fisherman’s 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 Fisherman’s 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/]  Fisherman’s Net [https://fishnetmaine.com/]    Connect with the show:  www.fambusiness.org [http://www.fambusiness.org/]  www.volkboxes.com [http://www.volkboxes.com/]

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) Cousins’ 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:  ‘Passing Down Your Success’ 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/]

Episode 10: Bringing in the Next Gen – DP Industries’ Transition and Lessons Learned

DP Industries’ co-owner Brent Dugal takes us inside his family’s manufacturing journey – 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) Brent’s work at DP Industries  (04:16) Decline of manufacturers' reps  (08:57) QR code on chips  (12:08) Nephew’s 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 – 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/]

Episode 9: People, and Pancakes: Inside Waltz and Sons’ Unique Approach to Family Business

Waltz and Sons aren’t just leaders in service; they’re ahead of the curve with renewable propane and committed to hands-on in-house training for both men and women on their staff. Today we’re 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/]

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 Fred’s 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) Fred’s 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]