Episode 15

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Published on:

1st May 2026

From the Court to Clippers, How Pro Volleyball Player Jeff Ptak Built a Winning Salon Business

From Buffalo to Fort Wayne, from NCAA Final Four glory to pro courts across Italy, Russia, Brazil, and beyond, Jeff Ptak turned a decade-plus volleyball career into a second act as one of Fort Wayne's most sought-after salon owners. In this conversation, Brad Noll and Jeff unpack how fundamentals, client experience, and authentic relationships translate across sports, small business, and life.

Key Takeaways

● Fundamentals are non-negotiable. Whether it's footwork in volleyball or the client consultation in a salon, the small, repeatable basics are what separate successful businesses from stalled ones.

● Client experience is paramount. People don't want to be a number. A 12-minute chain-salon haircut can't build rapport; slowing down to ask questions and understand the person is the difference maker.

● Two things can be true at once. You can be fully present in your current chapter while intentionally building toward your next one. Jeff knew at 12 he'd cut hair after sports, and that clarity drove both careers.

● Adversity can be a gift. COVID shut Jeff down for nine-plus weeks right as he was opening his salon. When the doors reopened, demand exploded and his client base grew faster than it would have otherwise.

● Happiness is the real scoreboard. After chasing the game around the world, Jeff's definition of winning is simple: a quiet night at home with the people he loves.

● Problem-solving is the job. Every head of hair is unique. Great operators in any field diagnose first, then execute.

Guest Info

Name: Jeff Ptak

Former professional volleyball player who starred at IPFW, earning All-American honors, MIVA Player of the Year in 2003, and helping lead the team to the 1999 NCAA Final Four. He played professionally for over a decade in countries including Italy, Russia, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and the UAE, and now owns a small business in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Company: Jeffrey Benjamin Hair (Fort Wayne, IN)

Resources

● Jeffrey Benjamin Hair: https://www.jeffreybenjaminhair.com

● IPFW (now Purdue University Fort Wayne) Athletics: https://www.gomastodons.com

● Allen County War Memorial Coliseum: https://www.memorialcoliseum.com

● NCAA Men's Volleyball: https://www.ncaa.com/sports/volleyball-men

● MIVA (Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association): https://www.mivavolleyball.com

● USA Volleyball: https://www.usavolleyball.org

Connect

● Student of the Game Podcast: https://www.nollteam.com/podcast

● Brad Noll on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradnoll

● Noll Team Real Estate: https://www.nollteam.com

● Jeff Ptak / Jeffrey Benjamin Hair: https://www.jeffreybenjaminhair.com

About Noll Team Real Estate

Since 2003, Noll Team Real Estate has been helping people in the Fort Wayne area find the freedom to live the lifestyle they want. Despite changing markets and business tactics, we have remained true to this better and improved business model by focusing on building relationships and serving others in everything we do. Whatever stage of life you are in, our goal is to provide you with the wisdom and tools necessary when buying or selling a home. We put you first to ensure an enjoyable and profitable experience.

StudentOfTheGame #Podcast #Entrepreneurship #PersonalGrowth #MasterTheFundamentals #RealEstate #RealProducers #Mindset #WinAtLife #Volleyball #FortWayne #SmallBusiness #IPFW #SalonOwner #ProAthlete #SecondAct #ClientExperience

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About the Podcast

Student of the Game
Unlocking Success: Conversations with Entrepreneurs and Leaders to Inspire Your Journey
Welcome to the Student of the Game Podcast with host, Brad Noll, realtor, entrepreneur, and athlete. This season, Brad will bring you inspiring conversations with accomplished business leaders and entrepreneurs who will share their journeys to success. He will explore the challenges they've faced, the triumphs that made their efforts worthwhile, and the mentors who guided them along the way.
Join us this season as we learn from the best and work together to achieve success in life and business. Let's win TOGETHER.

About your host

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Brad Noll

I grew up a Coach's Kid. The locker room was my classroom. I had many successes personally in basketball, but that wasn't the most fulfilling. My best lessons and experiences all came from being on a team. When my Division 1 basketball career was over, my wife and I decided to start a real estate company. Our goal is to share the lessons we've learned thus far so that we can Help Others WIn.

Like most, we struggled our way through. We had ups and downs. We quickly realized that all the lessons we needed to grow our business, we learned through our own personal journey with sports. Now, after 20 years of being in business, we want to bring our successes and failures to the classroom. We aim to bring you interviews of people just like you.

Greatness is already inside you. Student of the Game podcast was created to help you Master the Fundamentals, Fall in Love with Practice, and Win in the Game of Life.