Chit Chat with Derek and Cat

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 a...

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...

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...

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 every...

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...

Rich Hussey is the sixth-generation leader of Hussey Seating – a Maine company that’s been thriving since 1835 and spans eight generations. Rich gives us an inside look at the evolution of his family’s 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 Seating’s c...

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 ‘Overflowing Abundance’. 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 als...

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. 🛣️🏗️ From dairy farming roots to multimillion-dollar site development projects, Larry shares how the business has evolved across generations — with 💪 strong family values, 💡 intentional succession planning, and 📈 stra...

🍎  Episode 4: Rooted in Tradition with Matt McAdam of McDougal Orchards In this debut episode of  Chit Chat with Derek and Cat , we visit the rolling hills of Southern Maine to talk with  Matt McAdam , seventh-generation owner and orchard manager of  McDougal Orchards —a family farm that’s been thriving for nearly eight generations. Matt shares the story behind his family's deep agricultural...

On this enlightening episode of  Chit Chat with Derek & Cat , we sit down with Dr. John Austin—Dean 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 d...

In this episode of  Chit Chat with Derek & Cat , we sit down with Stacy Stitham, Managing Partner at Brann & Isaacson ⚖️, 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 busine...

In this special kickoff episode of  Chit Chat with Derek and Cat , your hosts— Catherine Wygant Fossett  and  Derek Volk —turn 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) , and Derek, CEO of  Volk Packaging Corpora...