Cabinet Maker Profit System Podcast

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 e...

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...

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 st...

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 wh...

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:...

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 Dis...

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:...

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 de...

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 prici...

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 i...

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 f...

📣 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 y...

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 s...

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 h...

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 lo...

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, weathe...

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 apprenti...

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...

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 tradespeo...

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 c...

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 cont...

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 proc...

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 opera...

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...

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!