In this episode of the Cabinet Maker Profit System, Dominic Rubino shares insights from coaching $3–10M cabinet and millwork shop owners. If you're stuck at $4M, wearing too many hats, or unsure how to scale without burning out — this episode is for you. 📌 You’ll learn: ▶️ What top-performing owners do differently (hint: it’s not tools) ▶️ The 11 key focus areas of a $4M+ shop owner ▶️ How to calculate your hourly value and protect your time ▶️ The mindset shift from tradesman to CEO ▶️ Real ex...
Jul 10, 2025•41 min•Season 3Ep. 17
From banker to landscaper, Carroll Fitzgerald built a 70+ person business with 35 trucks — and then sold it to his own management team. In this episode, Carroll shares the full story of how he scaled Fitzgerald’s Landscaping and structured a successful employee buyout. What you’ll learn: How Carroll grew his company from a weekend side hustle to a multimillion-dollar operation Why he planned his exit 5 years in advance — and how that paid off How he used SBA financing and vendor takebacks to hel...
Jul 03, 2025•49 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Are you hiring on instinct — and paying for it later? In this episode, Dominic Rubino talks with recruiting expert Andrea Hoffer from AHA! Business Consulting about her D.R.E.A.M. system — a step-by-step approach to hire and keep great foremen in your cabinetry, millwork, or construction business. What you’ll learn: ➡️ How to define what your ideal foreman actually looks like ➡️ The importance of reaching candidates in the right places ➡️ How to engage and keep strong applicants moving through y...
Jun 26, 2025•50 min•Season 3Ep. 15
In this Cabinet Maker Profit System episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with James Hatfield, Chief Revenue Officer at LiveSwitch Inc., to dig into why wasted drive time is killing contractor profits — and how to fix it. James shares his journey from painter and pressure washer to Inc. 500 tech entrepreneur, and what every construction business owner can learn from it. 🎯 Topics covered: 1. How to stop wasting time on bad leads 2. Using video tech to qualify jobs (before hopping in the truck) 3. Cr...
Jun 19, 2025•50 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Foreman training that actually works—just 1% at a time. In this episode of the Cabinet Maker Profit System, Dominic Rubino connects James Clear’s Atomic Habits with life on the shop floor. Success doesn’t come from yelling louder or working longer—it comes from repeatable systems that make your foreman better every week. You'll hear: 🔹 How 1% improvements in leadership add up fast 🔹 A foreman who finally made it home for dinner 🔹 Why yelling doesn't equal accountability 🔹 How one shop slashe...
Jun 10, 2025•6 min
In this episode of the Cabinet Maker Profit System show, Dominic Rubino interviews Katie Smith from Wild Path Consulting, who shares why marketing isn’t about selling — it’s about building real connections with your best customers. Katie’s unique perspective, shaped by her time as a wilderness guide, will help you rethink how to approach marketing in your construction business. Key Topics Covered: 1️⃣ How to define your ideal customer and avoid wasting time and money 2️⃣ Why marketing isn’t just...
Jun 05, 2025•36 min•Season 3Ep. 13
In this episode of the Cabinet Maker Profit System show, host Dominic Rubino sits down with Chip Tighe of Organizers Direct Industries to unpack the three proven paths into the closet and home organization industry: 👷♂️ Whether you’re a contractor, cabinet maker, or millwork shop owner — there’s a model that fits your goals, margins, and risk tolerance. Topics Covered: 🔹 DIY vs Franchise vs Distributorship: What’s best for you? 🔹 Custom storage solutions that sell (and why clients pay more) ...
May 22, 2025•30 min•Season 3Ep. 12
In this episode of the Cabinet Maker Profit System, host Dominic Rubino talks with Clint Padgett, a project management veteran whose clients include Coca-Cola at the Olympics and FIFA World Cup. But don’t worry — the lessons he shares aren’t just for mega-corporations. They’re built for your shop too. Whether you’re managing installs, renovations, or entire builds, this conversation will help you: ➡️ Replace confusion with clear, confident planning ➡️ Build real accountability in your PM team ➡️...
May 15, 2025•34 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Dominic Rubino interviews Phil McGilvray—finance coach and founder of Grandma’s Jars—who helps construction business owners understand why profit doesn’t always equal cash in the bank. 🎯 Topics Covered: ➡️ The 5 simple numbers you MUST track to understand your cashflow ➡️ Why most business owners aren’t actually paying themselves properly ➡️ How to build a financially stable business—even with debt ➡️ The secret to getting out of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle ➡️ Real-world advice for raising y...
May 08, 2025•50 min•Season 3Ep. 10
In this episode, host Dominic Rubino sits down with Profit First author Mike Michalowicz to tackle the money mistakes most trades business owners are making—and how to fix them. If you're a contractor living off deposits, undercharging, or barely scraping by, this episode is for you. Topics Covered: 👉 The Profit First method for contractors 👉 How profit can actually fuel growth 👉 Why your pricing might be too low 👉 Real-life turnarounds from the brink 📖 Mike’s new personal finance book: The...
May 01, 2025•22 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Thinking about bidding on bonded jobs? Learn what surety bonds REALLY mean for your business. In this episode, Dominic Rubino interviews Matthew Snowden of The Mahoney Group, an experienced surety bond advisor. They cover what a bond actually guarantees, how to qualify, the risks of not being prepared, and how bonding can level up your business. Topics Covered: 🔹 What’s a surety bond? (It’s not insurance) 🔹 How bonding lets you bid bigger jobs 🔹 The financials you need to qualify 🔹 What happ...
Apr 24, 2025•41 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Most contractors don’t realize how much business they’re losing because of a bad website. Sam Natello, a digital marketing expert who dominates the fencing industry, breaks down what your site needs to do to get leads—and why Google’s ignoring you. We’re talking trust, SEO, team size, reviews, and simple fixes you can start today. If you want your shop to work less and earn more, this episode is for you. 🎧 Subscribe for more no-BS tips on growing your business. Guest Links: LinkedIn: https://ww...
Apr 17, 2025•43 min•Season 3Ep. 7
📣 Foreman 101 Training is BACK—and better than ever. If you're a shop owner in cabinetry, millwork, or closets, and you’ve got foremen, shop leads, or department heads... this episode is for you. 👉 Wondering if you’ve ever really trained your foreman to lead? 👉 Tired of the same problems popping up on the floor? 👉 Want a crew that runs tight, communicates clearly, and solves problems without you? We’ve rebuilt the Foreman 101 training from the ground up with tools, scripts, checklists, and s...
Apr 08, 2025•23 min
How do some cabinetmakers grow multi-million-dollar businesses while others stay stuck in survival mode? It’s not just hard work—it’s about thinking and operating differently. In this episode, Dominic Rubino breaks down 5 key principles that separate struggling shop owners from those who create wealth and financial freedom. 📌 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ The difference between owning a shop vs. owning a business ✔️ How to stop guessing and master job costing & pricing ✔️ The secret...
Mar 20, 2025•48 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Lisa Treu from Treu Group Real Estate to uncover what homeowners actually prioritize when they buy and renovate homes. If you're a contractor, cabinet maker, or millworker, this episode is packed with insights to help you land more high-end clients. 🛠 Topics Covered: ✔️ The top 3 home renovations that homeowners invest in ✔️ How contractors can ease homeowner fears about hiring the wrong person ✔️ Why building relationships with realtors and mortga...
Mar 06, 2025•56 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Are you making money—but still renting your shop space? It’s time to turn your business into a wealth-building machine. In this episode of Cabinet Maker Profit System, Dominic Rubino talked with real estate investor Troy Kearns to break down how cabinet makers can use real estate to build long-term wealth. 📌 Here’s what you’ll learn: ✔️ Why leasing is costing you more than you think ✔️ How SBA loans can help you buy with just 10% down ✔️ The secret to making your building pay for itself ✔️ Tax-...
Feb 20, 2025•29 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Frustrated with appliance delays? You’re not alone! In this episode, Dominic Rubino talks with Mike Konrad, CEO of Aqueous Technologies, to explain why it’s happening and what contractors can do about it. 💡 Here’s what we cover: 🔹 13 reasons the appliance shortage happened (it’s not just COVID). 🔹 The semiconductor crisis and why appliances rely on computer chips. 🔹 How global politics, weather events, and demand shifts made it worse. 🔹 What cabinet makers and contractors can do to manage d...
Feb 06, 2025•54 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Are you struggling to find skilled woodworkers or craftspeople for your construction or cabinetry business? This episode of the Cabinet Maker Profit System podcast has you covered! Dominic Rubino sits down with Samuel Schneider, founder of Journeyman, to explore how master tradespeople from Europe can fill your skill gaps and elevate your team. In this episode, we discuss: 1. Why European apprenticeships create world-class woodworkers. 2. The benefits of hiring internationally—for both employers...
Jan 23, 2025•44 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Introducing new systems, software, or processes in your business? Team resistance can derail even the best intentions. In this episode of Cabinet Maker Profit System, Dominic Rubino interviews Cole Eklund from INNERGY to discuss practical strategies for getting team buy-in when implementing change. What’s Covered in This Episode: ✔️ Why team resistance happens—and how to overcome it. ✔️ The power of creating urgency and involving key players. ✔️ Tips for building trust, short-term wins, and long...
Jan 09, 2025•51 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In this episode, I talked about hiring skilled tradespeople, like carpenters, for your business. If you’re frustrated with finding the right team members, this episode is packed with actionable advice you can implement immediately. Topics Covered: 1. The concept of Revenue Responsibility Per Hour and how it impacts your hiring strategy. 2. Creative and unconventional ways to find skilled tradespeople. 3. Why recruiting is marketing and how to target the right candidates. 4. The importance of onb...
Dec 19, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 23
In this episode, we are joined by Brad Cairns, lean manufacturing expert, to explore how construction and contracting business owners can use lean principles to eliminate waste, reduce rework, and improve efficiency by up to 50%! 💡 🔑 Topics Covered: 1. What lean manufacturing really means for custom work. 2. How to identify and eliminate overproduction in your shop. 3. The surprising secret to cutting overtime while boosting productivity. 4. Key metrics every business owner needs to track for ...
Dec 05, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 22
In this episode, I talk with Dave Hudon from INNERGY. We dive into the challenges of second-generation leadership in the cabinetry and millwork industry, sharing actionable insights for business owners. Topics Covered: 1. Dave’s personal journey in taking over a family-run business. 2. The role of culture in driving business success. 3. How ERP systems and technology are changing the game for contractors. 4. Tips for making tough decisions as a leader. FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE 👉 @Cabinetmakerprof...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Season 2Ep. 21
James Bradley, President of Pan Pacific Interiors, joined us and shared his remarkable journey of reinventing his cabinet shop in Panama. James discusses the ups and downs of transitioning to a new country, building a skilled team from scratch, and the key tools and strategies he used to transform his business into a profitable enterprise. Tune in to learn about: The importance of systemizing processes in a growing business Managing supply chains and cultural differences in a new market How to p...
Nov 07, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Join us for an insightful conversation with Cassy Thomeier, CFO of Giffin Interior, where she shares her expert tips on job cost analysis and how to manage project costs to increase profitability in the woodworking and cabinetry industries. Cassy walks us through real-world strategies and examples that you can apply to your own business today. Whether you're managing a small shop or a larger operation, this episode is packed with tips that will help you track costs and make smarter decisions.
Oct 18, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Season 2Ep. 19
In this episode, we’re joined by recruitment expert Suman Cherry, who reveals how she’s helped woodshop and cabinet shop owners find the right project managers. Suman’s unique approach emphasizes core values, team culture, and passive candidates—those who aren’t actively job searching but are perfect for the role. We’ll discuss: 1. The importance of aligning hires with your company’s core values 2. How project managers can reduce stress and increase production 3. The time-saving power of recruit...
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Practical steps to build your financial future don’t have to be complicated. Join us as Dominic Rubino breaks down simple, effective strategies that anyone can use to create a solid financial foundation. Whether you're an experienced entrepreneur or just getting started, this episode offers something for everyone. Watch now and take the first step towards financial success!
Sep 19, 2024•1 hr 29 min•Season 2Ep. 17
What would you do with a million dollars? Your business’ future depends on how you answer… In today’s episode of CMPS, Dominic shares the overlooked secret making entrepreneurs into millionaires right now. Finding work, scaling your business, managing a team–tune in today and learn everything you need to put profit back in your tool belt.
Sep 05, 2024•42 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Tune in to our latest episode where Jenny Gayfer, Business Development at Top 40 Woodworks, shares her wisdom on the power of communication in millwork projects. Learn how early and often communication can ensure your contracts are successful and your clients satisfied. This is a must-listen for anyone in the industry!
Aug 15, 2024•1 hr 36 min•Season 2Ep. 15
We're diving into the world of upselling with Randy Niewind, President at Randy's Cabinets and Woodworks. Discover how to identify upselling opportunities, create compelling offers, and close the deal. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you grow your business.
Aug 01, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 2Ep. 14
In this episode, we talk to Ryan Hindmarsh, President at Mid-Ontario Appliance Installations and Rhino Coaching, about his incredible journey to achieving RR/h 999 (Revenue Responsibility per Hour). Tune in to hear his story and get actionable advice for your own business success.
Jul 18, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 13
