What can a smart business leader learn from a softball field to build a thriving, multi-million-dollar company?

If you’ve ever wondered how to build a resilient company culture, lead with decisiveness, and navigate the messy beauty of running a family business, this episode is for you. Derek Volk, third-generation CEO of Volk Packaging, shares unfiltered stories and hard-earned leadership lessons drawn from the softball diamond and decades in the corrugated box industry. Whether you're in manufacturing, family business, or just looking to lead with more clarity, you'll find yourself nodding along.

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with:

• A powerful mindset shift around decision-making that could change how you lead under pressure

• A fresh take on company culture rooted in loyalty, trust, and “no bureaucracy” empowerment

• Real strategies for growing a family-owned business without losing your soul—or your sanity

Hit play now to discover how to lead like a coach, build a team that thinks like owners, and create a business your customers love doing business with.

Check out:

• [10:34] – How Derek’s family turned a GE stationery account into a multi-generational manufacturing empire

• [28:47] – The softball coaching philosophy that inspired his bestselling business book, “Go For Third”

• [51:10] – A candid look at succession planning, ESOP dilemmas, and what it really means to build a business worth inheriting

About Derek Volk

Derek Volk is the owner of Volk Packaging Corporation, a third-generation family-owned and operated corrugated box manufacturer in Biddeford, Maine, and Volk Paxit, a contract packaging fulfillment center in Sanford, Maine. He released his second book, Go for Third: Leadership Lessons from the Softball Field to the Workplace in 2024. Derek has been working at Volk Packaging since high school and has been running the company for over 20 years. Derek is a Maine businessman, best-selling author, former radio personality, and nationally recognized public speaker. He is a grateful supporter of veterans’ organizations and created the Volk Packaging Heroes Wall as a way to honor members of the US Armed Forces, past and present. Derek was named the 2015 Spurwink “Humanitarian of the Year.” That same year, Maine Biz named Derek to their NEXT List, recognizing him as one of Maine’s business trailblazers. In 2020, Derek was inducted into the Manufacturer’s Association of Maine’s “Manufacturer’s Hall of Fame.”

What if your childhood love for roller coasters could lead you to build a national empire of amusement parks?

If you're leading a business—or dreaming of scaling one—you’ll want to hear how John Dunlap, CEO of Five Star Parks & Attractions, turned a hospitality background and a Six Sigma mindset into a high-growth, family-focused entertainment powerhouse. In a post-COVID world with rising labor costs and shifting consumer demands, John shares real-world strategies for thriving in a category many thought was on the decline.

Here’s what you’ll get from this episode:

• A playbook for balancing operational excellence with guest experience, including how Six Sigma translates to human-centered businesses.

• The secrets behind scaling through acquisition and development, especially in a fragmented market ripe for consolidation.

• How to compete with big-name parks by delivering affordable, high-value local experiences that build loyalty (and beat the weather).

Hit play now to learn how John turned a childhood game into a national strategy—and how you can apply the same principles to scale your own business with purpose.

Check out:

John shares how a Six Sigma background in hospitality led him to a surprising call from the San Diego Zoo—and how that jump-started his journey into the world of theme parks and cultural attractions.

Discover how John and his team countered brutal off-seasons by acquiring massive indoor entertainment centers—and what that did for cash flow, customer base, and geographic reach.

John breaks down their evolving pricing strategy, including how “best value” and “best experience” bundles are designed to fight inflation, increase revenue, and give families more reason to return.

About John Dunlap

John Dunlap is the CEO of Five Star Parks & Attractions, a rapidly expanding family entertainment company. Since taking on the role in January 2022, he has led the company's growth from three locations to 27 across 13 states. With a background in amusement and hospitality leadership, John has held executive positions at SeaWorld & Sesame Place in California, Iconic Attractions Group, and the San Diego Zoo. He holds degrees from the University of Virginia and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, along with executive certifications from Cornell University. Based in Charlotte, NC, John is passionate about creating memorable guest experiences and fostering a culture of innovation in the industry.

Ever wonder how someone manages 4,000 real estate agents—and still has time to drive real social impact?

If you're navigating today’s volatile real estate market, whether as an investor, entrepreneur, or just trying to make sense of what’s next, this episode offers clarity. Kimber Menkiti, a powerhouse in real estate leadership, breaks down how market dynamics, franchise models, and personal mission intersect—and what that means for anyone trying to build something sustainable.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this conversation:

• A rare behind-the-scenes look at how modern brokerages run like mini-corporations—and why that matters.
• Insight into how real estate is evolving post-commission lawsuit and what it means for both agents and consumers.
• Smart strategies for standing out in a saturated, trust-driven marketplace (hint: it’s not about the house).

Tune in now to hear Kimber’s battle-tested take on real estate, entrepreneurship, and what it really takes to scale impact in a highly competitive industry.

Check out:

- [00:06:30] Attracting Top Talent in a Crowded Field
Kimber gives a compelling look into how high-performing professionals—lawyers, finance execs, government leaders—are entering real estate with an entrepreneurial mindset. This segment reframes the stereotype of the “casual agent” and positions real estate as a legitimate business-building path.

- [00:18:30] Post-Lawsuit Market Dynamics & Commission Transparency
This part tackles a hot topic in the industry—commission lawsuits and fee structures—while offering a clear explanation of how it’s reshaping consumer expectations and brokerage operations. Kimber’s insights are both timely and practical.

- [00:29:30] Exit Strategy: Are Brokerages Sellable?
Jim and Kimber discuss the long-term viability and valuation of brokerages, drawing parallels to tech startups and investment banking. Kimber’s comments on diversifying revenue through services like title and lending are sharp and strategic.

About Kimber Menkiti

Kymber Lovett-Menkiti is a pioneer in the real estate industry. With nearly 20 years of experience in the sales field, Kymber has a proven track record of success in leading teams, driving sales and revenue growth, and building strong relationships with clients, leaders, and industry partners.

Kymber Lovett Menkiti serves as the President of Keller Williams Capital Properties (KWCP), a brokerage with ten offices across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia regions. She is also the Regional Director for the Keller Williams Maryland/ DC (MDC) Region where she oversees 4K+ agents and is the first African American female to hold this position. As Regional Director, Kymber works closely with market center owners, their leadership teams, and agents to develop and implement strategies for improving sales, productivity, and culture.

• Proper acclimatization to high altitudes is crucial for climbers to prevent oxygen deprivation.
• Hypoxico tents are innovative tools that mimic high-altitude conditions to help climbers build red blood cells.
• The south route through Nepal to climb Mount Everest is risky due to obstacles like the Kumbu Icefall and Hillary Step.
• Monitoring pulse ox, fitness levels, and health indicators is crucial for safety and predicting summit success.
• Planning and timing the summit attempt on Everest involves starting the ascent in the dark to avoid bad weather.
• Physical preparation, including legwork, core strength, and endurance, is essential for climbing high mountains like Denali.

• Preparing for known moments and using curiosity as the fuel to great conversation is crucial for impactful interactions.
• Challenging oneself to refrain from giving advice in conversations can lead to more meaningful and insightful communication.
• Creating frames in conversations helps establish rules of engagement and encourages innovation and change.
• Asking purposeful questions and actively listening can foster relationships, facilitate growth, and drive transformation.
• Avoiding lazy questions and being intentional with inquiries can create a more effective and productive communication environment.
• Identifying critical conversational moments, like the first 15 seconds of returning home from a trip, is key to enhancing success in both personal and business interactions.