Cabinet Maker Profit System Podcast
Dominic Rubino 290 episodes Nov 12, 2026
A business podcast for cabinetmakers, architectural woodworkers, furniture makers, and woodworking shop owners. It focuses on helping trade professionals work less while earning more, with strategies aimed at doubling profits and time off. Episodes cover practical business-building tips, tricks, and real-world information rather than abstract business talk. The show is hosted by Dominic Rubino and points listeners to the Cabinet Maker Profit System website for further resources.
Episodes
Why Most Contractors Aren't Making Enough Profit
Can a contracting business really achieve a 60% gross margin? CFO Arron Bennett says yes and in this episode, he sits down with Dominic Rubino to explain why many contractors may be pricing their work incorrectly, operating inefficiently, or overlooking costs that are quietly eating into their margins. One of the biggest clues could be your close rate. If you're winning a very high percentage of t
Why You Keep Losing Deals on Price
Why do you keep losing deals on price and does it actually mean you're charging too much? In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with business coach Pete Ficco to unpack one of the most frustrating problems contractors and business owners face: presenting an estimate only to hear that someone else can do the job cheaper. But lowering your price isn't necessarily the answer. Pete shares how esti
How to Reduce Overtime Without Losing Your Best Employees
Overtime may be costing your contracting business more than you realize but simply cutting overtime can create another problem: your employees may depend on it. So how do you reduce unnecessary overtime without losing your best people? In this episode, Dominic Rubino breaks down how contractors and trades business owners can identify the real causes of overtime, overcome resistance from their crew
He Shut Down His Factory for 8 Days. Here's What Happened.
What happens when you shut down a factory doing roughly $30,000 a day in throughput and refuse to start it again until you understand the problem? That's exactly what Brad Cairns did. In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Brad to unpack an extraordinary Lean manufacturing "stop and fix" inside Brad's MDF cabinet door factory. The problem started with a number Brad couldn't ignore: roughly
You're Not Losing Jobs Because of Your Price
Why do contractors lose jobs on price? And when a customer says your estimate is "too expensive," is price really the problem? In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with entrepreneur, contractor, and business coach Adam Sylvester to break down one of the biggest challenges facing contractors and home-service business owners: losing deals because of price. The surprising reality? You shouldn't
I Sold the Job at 45% Margin… Where Did the Money Go?
You sold the job at a 45% gross margin. You estimated it correctly. So why is there no money left at the end? In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Nick Slavik to tackle one of the most frustrating problems facing cabinet makers, millworkers, contractors, and trades business owners: the gap between the profit you estimate and the profit you actually keep. Nick explains why a profitable es
Why Most Cabinet Shops Aren't Making Enough Money
Why are so many cabinet shops bringing in revenue but still struggling to make enough money? In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with business coach and former cabinet shop owner Pete Fico to break down one of the most important parts of running a successful cabinet business: PROFIT. Pete shares lessons from his own entrepreneurial journey, including growing a cabinet company from just over
Your Employees Think You Make More Money Than You Do
Your employees may think you're making far more money than you actually are. In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Steve Baker from The Great Game of Business to discuss one of the biggest disconnects between business owners and their teams: understanding how the business actually makes money. Steve shares how The Great Game of Business helps companies teach employees to think, act, and f
How to Save Hours of Labor on Historic Renovations
What if you could save HOURS of labor on historic renovations without tearing out the original architectural details? In this episode of CMPS, Dominic Rubino sits down with Kyle Neuroh to explore how laser cleaning technology can change the way contractors approach historic renovations, cabinet refinishing, stair restoration, architectural millwork, and other labor-intensive work. Kyle explains ho
I Want My Kids to Take Over the Business. But They Can't Afford It.
What happens when you want your kids to take over the family business but they can't afford to buy it? Selling a family business to the next generation isn't as simple as naming a price and handing over the keys. The owner still needs to get paid, the next generation needs to be ready to lead, and the business needs to remain profitable throughout the transition. In this episode, Dominic Rubino si
Why Overtime Is Killing Your Business Profit
Overtime isn't the problem it's the symptom. If unnecessary overtime keeps eating into your profits, simply telling your team to stop working extra hours won't solve the underlying issue. In this episode of Cabinet Maker Profit System, Dominic Rubino explains how business owners can find the real cause of their overtime problem and begin fixing it with a practical order of operations. The problem
Your Customers May Never Visit Your Website Again
What if your next customer never visits your website? AI is changing the way customers search for, research, and potentially choose local businesses and Phil Risher believes contractors and home-service business owners need to start preparing now. In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Phil Risher of Phlash Consulting to break down the shift from traditional Google searches and keywords to
Legacy or Burden? What Are You Really Leaving Your Kids?
What Are You Really Leaving Your Kids? Most business owners dream of leaving something meaningful behind. But if your company depends on you every day, are you really leaving a business… or just handing your family another job? In this episode, Dominic Rubino explains one of the most important numbers every owner should know: Revenue Responsibility Per Hour (RR/H). You'll discover why owner depend
You Made a Profit... So Where Did the Money Go?
Your financial statements say you're profitable... So why isn't there any money in the bank? In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Fractional CFO Natalia Zacharin to explain one of the biggest financial mysteries business owners face. You'll learn: ✔️ The difference between profit and cash flow ✔️ Why profitable companies still struggle with cash ✔️ The hidden expenses that drain your ban
Animal Tracks Aren't Dinner. How to bring in deals and you really see your future.
That's the lesson every cabinet shop owner and every estimator, designer, and salesperson needs to hear. In this solo episode, Dominic Rubino explains why your pipeline isn't your forecast and why treating every estimate like guaranteed revenue creates costly mistakes. You'll discover how professional shops use deal scoring and weighted forecasting to make smarter decisions about hiring, schedulin
It's time to look at this business differently
Where did the profit go? Many cabinet shop owners are busier than ever but still wonder why cash is always tight. In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Kristen Deese, Virtual CFO for the Trades, to discuss why revenue alone doesn't build wealth. You'll learn why successful businesses eventually stop relying on gut feelings and begin using financial data to make better decisions. In this e
I lost my whole drafting department. This is how I got it back.
What happens if your cabinet shop loses every drawing overnight? It happened. A server failure left an entire drafting department without access to critical design files, bringing production to a halt. In this episode, Dominic Rubino talks with Brian Hamilton, an IT specialist who grew up in the cabinet industry, about protecting cabinet shops from data loss, downtime, ransomware, and technology f
I had to change or the bank was calling my loan!
The bank gave Erik Fetzer's family business an ultimatum: change... or risk losing everything. After back-to-back years of major financial losses, a consultant introduced one simple concept that changed the future of the company: Cut your batch size in half. What followed wasn't just a financial turnaround. It became a decades-long journey of continuous improvement that transformed how the company
How to Estimate Millwork Jobs and Win the Jobs you want!
How do you stop wasting hours estimating jobs you'll never win? In this episode of the Cabinet Maker Profit System Podcast, Dominic Rubino talks with Richard Bergan, Vice President of Bergen Architectural Woodworking, about the systems that helped his architectural millwork company improve estimating, avoid missed bid deadlines, and focus on the projects that fit their business best. Whether you'r
Uh Oh- Im working so hard i forgot about my family with Larry Hagner
Are you working so hard that you're missing the people you're doing it for? Most contractors are incredible providers. They'll outwork anyone. They'll keep promises to customers and employees. But sometimes they forget the promises made at home. In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Larry Hagner, founder of The Dad Edge, for a powerful conversation about marriage, fatherhood, relationship
I Built $40M in Businesses... and Was Miserable
Most contractors and business owners spend years chasing revenue, bigger teams, and more success, only to wonder why they still feel stuck. In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with CPA, entrepreneur, and author Spencer Sheinin to discuss the journey from financial success to purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Spencer shares his experience building four businesses, generating over $40 million i
Industry Standard: 45%. They Were at 12%.
If you're running a cabinet shop and feel like you're working harder every year but not seeing better results, this episode will hit home. In this conversation, James and Sally Edrington share how buying an Amish cabinet shop without previous ownership experience led them into years of grinding without understanding the numbers behind the business. Through the Checkpoint 90 financial review, they
Your People Aren't the Problem (Your Systems Are)
If you're struggling with employee turnover, team accountability, leadership challenges, or scaling your contracting business, this episode is packed with practical insights. Dominic Rubino sits down with Pete Ficco, a serial entrepreneur who grew a custom cabinetry company from $3 million to $10 million and now helps contractors improve performance through proven business systems. The conversatio
Why Most Millwork Shops Struggle to Scale
In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Jacob Deis of Formation Millwork to talk about what it really takes to grow a successful commercial millwork company without losing your culture, values, or sanity in the process. They dive deep into estimating strategy, dashboards, throughput tracking, project management capacity, company rebranding, leadership blind spots, and how commercial millwor
You Don't Need More Sales — You Need This
Most contractors work hard every day but never stop to ask if their business is truly building personal wealth and long-term legacy. In this conversation, Dominic Rubino sits down with former Naval submarine commander Gary Pinkerton to break down personal finance for contractors, business owners, and trades professionals. They discuss cash flow, liquidity, investing in your business, real estate i
Out of the daily Grind into Leader Mode with Dave Cooper
Are you running your construction business… or is your business running you? In this episode, Dominic Rubino talks with Dave Cooper about leadership, systems, innovation, AI, and how contractors can break out of the daily grind and step into true leadership mode. Dave shares lessons from: • Military service • Construction ownership • Scaling a building company • Offsite and modular construction •
Finally! How can I stop paid ads & Still Grow with Daniel Dixon
If your business feels like it depends on you for everything… this episode is for you. In this conversation, Dominic Rubino sits down with Brady Lewis to break down how shop owners can grow their business without burning out. Most owners start as skilled tradespeople… But growth forces you into systems, leadership, and structure. This episode shows you how to make that shift. 🔑 What You'll Learn:
How do I grow this business without losing my mind with Brady Lewis Allmoxy
If your business feels like it depends on you for everything… this episode is for you. In this conversation, Dominic Rubino sits down with Brady Lewis to break down how shop owners can grow their business without burning out. Most owners start as skilled tradespeople… But growth forces you into systems, leadership, and structure. This episode shows you how to make that shift. 🔑 What You'll Learn:
How to make tradeshows work for you with Jeff Dahler
Trade shows can either grow your business… or waste your money. Most contractors show up without a plan and leave disappointed. In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with trade show expert Jeff Dahler (30+ years experience) to break down how to actually WIN at trade shows. If you're a cabinet shop owner, remodeler, or contractor, this is for you. 🔧 What You'll Learn: - How to know if a trade s
We Asked 100 Foremen What's Broken - Here's What They Told Us
Most foremen aren't failing… They're being set up to fail. In this episode, we break down what happens when you promote your best worker into a leadership role, without giving them the tools to succeed. We asked 100 foremen what's broken in their role, and the answers revealed the real issues behind burnout, turnover, and lost profit in cabinet shops and contracting businesses. In this episode, we
Overtime Is Killing Your Profits- Heres how to fix it with Sebastien Nault
Overtime is killing your profits… but not for the reason you think. In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Coach Sebastien Nault to break down what overtime REALLY means inside your business and how to fix it. If your shop is constantly working late, rushing jobs, or struggling with margins… this episode will hit home. 👉 The truth: overtime is just a symptom The real problem is hidden in y
How does a Management Buyout Work with Tim Vorhoff
If you're a contractor or shop owner, you WILL exit your business one day. The question is, will you do it right? In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Tim Vorhoff to break down how business owners in construction, cabinetry, and trades can plan their exit and avoid costly mistakes. Most owners are great at building businesses… But when it comes time to sell, they're negotiating against p
How I went from bankrupt to 50 million with Ryan Hogan
What can contractors learn from a founder who went from bankruptcy to building a major business? A lot. In this episode, Dominic Rubino talks with Ryan Hogan, co-founder and CEO of Talent Harbor, about failure, leadership, hiring, culture, business systems, and what it really takes to grow without carrying the whole company on your own. Ryan shares the lessons he learned through failed businesses,
Rework is killing me Here's what to do about it With CWS Coach Ryan Hindmarsh
Rework is one of the biggest hidden profit leaks in a cabinet shop, millwork business, or install team. In this episode, Dominic Rubino talks with Ryan Hindmarsh about: why rework costs more than most owners think how missed details in design, production, packing, and install hurt profit why install should be treated like its own business how meetings, SOPs, and checklists reduce waste why labor,
CHANGE ORDERS how to get paid for them without killing the relationship With Colleen Stanley
How do you charge for change orders without hurting the client relationship? In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Colleen Stanley to unpack one of the most common profit leaks in construction and contracting: poor change order communication. This conversation is especially helpful for construction and contracting business owners who deal with scope creep, client pushback, repeated jobsit
The 1 number that other Multi-Million Cabinet Shops Track with Adam Sylvester
If you feel busy but the bank account doesn't match… this episode is for you. In this interview, Dominic Rubino sits down with Adam Sylvester (owner of Charlottesville Gutter Pros + host of Jobber's Masters of Home Service) to break down the "magic numbers" contractors should track to protect profit and make better decisions. You'll learn how to stop tracking random metrics and focus on the few nu
My Crew is driving me Crazy- What to do about it with Helen Vitoria
In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Helen Vitoria, a key member of the team supporting contractor onboarding, administration, and HR systems inside Contractor Wealth System Helen brings deep experience from real estate development, project management, and HR giving her a unique perspective on the staffing and leadership challenges contractors face every day. If your business feels chaot
Logic vs Emotion and Data vs Feeling in Millwork and Woodworking with Lauren Bourland
Are you running your shop on numbers… or on feelings? In this episode, Dominic Rubino interviews Lauren Bourland of Custom Source Woodworking and board member of the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI). They break down why logic and data must replace emotion when it comes to pricing, labor, and profitability. If you're a cabinet shop owner, remodeler, or trade contractor who feels busy but not
Solving Epoxy problems in Production with Jake Latvala
In this episode, Dominic Rubino talks with Jake Latvala, about the most common epoxy production problems foremen face and how to fix them before they turn into rework, delays, or callbacks. Topics covered in this episode: - Deep-pour epoxy vs low-grade epoxy (and why yellowing/cracking happens) - Wood prep: sanding, debarking, flake prevention, edge sealing for fewer bubbles - Flood coat vs oil fi
Smart Marketing for Construction and Cabinets
In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with RJ and Adrienne Folse of Brand Constructors to talk about how contractors can attract better clients, improve profitability, and build long-term stability. They share simple, proven strategies that help trades business owners move from "busy" to "successful." 📌 In this episode, you'll learn: • How to attract higher-quality projects • Why Google review
Digital Measuring Solves Your People Problems with Steven Moran
In this episode, Dominic Rubino talks with Steven Moran (CEO of FlexiJet Digital Measuring) about how digital measuring can solve "people problems" by improving data accuracy, making delegation easier, and reducing rework. In this episode, we cover: Why measurement errors create costly go-backs How digital measuring reduces manual entry mistakes Training newer team members faster (without 20 years
Why is Succession Hard?
Succession planning is one of the toughest challenges construction and contracting business owners face — especially when family is involved. In this episode, Dominic Rubino is joined by Josh Baron, Harvard Business School professor and family business expert, to break down why succession is so hard and what successful transitions actually require. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why founders str
AI for Cabinets and Millwork- Instant Onboarding and Estimating with Justin Dews
In this episode, Dominic Rubino talks with Justin Dews (Founder & CEO of PathOpt) about how AI is being used right now inside cabinet shops and trade businesses to reduce interruptions, protect institutional knowledge, and save time. This episode is for construction and contracting business owners who: • Feel stuck answering the same questions • Struggle with onboarding and training • Worry about
How to Talk to Your Family About the Business (Without a Fight)
Family businesses don't fail because of bad numbers, they fail because tough conversations never happen. In this episode, Dominic Rubino breaks down how to talk to your family about the business without a fight, using real-world experience from construction, contracting, and trades-based family companies. If you're a contractor, shop owner, or trades business owner dealing with: • Succession plann
Make 2026 Your Best Year Ever
What if 2026 wasn't just "busy"… but actually healthy, profitable, and calm? In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with coach and business owner Ryan Hindmarsh to talk about how real contractors are building better lives and better businesses at the same time. You'll hear real stories from cabinet shops, millwork shops, and trades businesses who: • Delegated low-value work and finally had time
From Cashflow and Deposit Stress to Profit Power: What Ramsey and Kiyosaki Would Tell Every Shop Owner
In this episode, Dominic Rubino breaks down what Dave Ramsey and Robert Kiyosaki would tell every shop owner, contractor, and builder about going from cashflow headaches to true profit power. Whether you run a cabinet shop, millwork shop, HVAC company, electrical crew, or remodeling business, this is a simple roadmap for taking control of your money — instead of letting money control you. ⭐ What Y
What if Your Foreman Had Atomic Habits If James Clear Trained Your Foreman
In this episode, Dominic Rubino breaks down a powerful question: What would your business look like if your foreman used the same simple, repeatable systems taught in Atomic Habits? Whether you run a cabinet shop, HVAC team, millwork shop, plumbing crew, or any construction trades business, this conversation will help you build a more organized, less chaotic operation. ⭐ Episode Highlights • Why t
The 3 Biggest Mistakes In Passing A Business To Family- Real Stories
Passing your construction or trades business to your kids sounds simple — until the emotions, money, and expectations get involved. In this episode, Dominic Rubino shares real stories from HVAC, cabinet, and millwork companies about what really happens when the next generation takes over. These stories are taken directly from and show exactly what goes wrong and how smart trades owners avoid these
I know something has to change, but I don't know where to start with Dominic Rubino
If you've ever said, "I know something has to change in my business… but I don't even know where to begin," this episode is for you. In this episode, Dominic Rubino breaks down the real first steps shop owners should take when they feel overwhelmed, stuck, or pushed to the limit. You'll learn: 1. Why more effort isn't the answer 2. How to find the real bottleneck in your shop 3. Why foremen strugg
OSHA Audit- What do I do??? with Eric Wick
If OSHA walked into your shop today… would you be ready? In this episode, Dominic Rubino talks with Eric Wick, founder of Safety Team Technologies, about what really triggers an OSHA audit — and how to protect your shop. You'll learn: 1. What OSHA looks for the moment they walk in 2. How a single angry worker can start an inspection 3. The "3-Headed Dragon" that kills small shops 4. Why your forem
You Can't Scale Chaos with Dominic Rubino
You can't scale chaos — and most shop owners try to anyway! In this episode, Dominic Rubino from Cabinet Maker Profit System shares why growing your construction or contracting business without fixing your systems is like stepping on the gas with a broken engine. Learn how to slow down, find the root cause of your biggest problems, and build a business that runs smoothly — not one that just runs y
Big Shops know their Labour Efficiency Rate, Do you? with Greg Crabtree -Scaling Up Contributor
Most shop owners look at revenue… Great shop owners look at Labor Efficiency Rate (LER). In this episode, Dominic Rubino talks with Greg Crabtree, author of Simple Numbers and Scaling Up contributor, about the most important number big shops track. You'll learn: 1. What the Labor Efficiency Rate is 2. Why the magic number is 2:1 3. How to know if your team is working efficiently 4. Why backlog can
FastCap lessons in Lean How to standardize simple routines with Lukas Holland
Think Lean is just for big factories? Think again. In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Lukas Holland from FastCap — the shop built on culture, systems, and fun. You'll learn how FastCap built a team where everyone takes ownership — and how that same approach can turn your cabinet or millwork shop into a smooth, calm, profitable operation. What you'll learn in this episode: How to build
Family Business: Passing the Torch Without Losing Your Sanity (or Your Kids') with Brad, Hannah and Kalli Klingman
Running a family business isn't for the faint of heart — especially when your kids are part of the team. In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Brad Klingman, and his daughters Hannah Klingman and Kalli Klingman from RiseUp Labels to talk about what it really takes to pass the torch without losing your sanity (or your kids). What you'll learn in this episode: 1. How to invite your kids int
Reinvention Journey: From Setbacks to Systems, Clarity & Freedom with Sebastien Nault
How do you rebuild after losing everything? In this episode, Dominic Rubino talks with Sebastien Nault of Black Tie Property Services about turning failure into focus — and building a business that gives you freedom, not burnout. What You'll Learn: 1. How Sebastien went bankrupt at 22 and came back stronger. 2. The mindset and systems that took him from 1 truck to 90 employees. 3. Using EOS/Tracti
Before You Drop $$$ on That New Machine… Do you really know if you should? with Kolin Veldman
Is that new machine really worth the money? Just because the salesman says it'll pay for itself doesn't mean it will. In this episode, Dominic Rubino talks with Kolin Veldman from K&S Woodworks about the real ROI of large purchases in a cabinet/millwork shop. What you'll learn in this episode: 1. How to decide when your shop is ready for a CNC 2. Why "buy what you need today, not what you dream of
Are You Doing the WRONG Deals? | with Jillian Klinar on Choosing Profitable Jobs
Are you taking on the wrong jobs? Just because your shop is busy doesn't mean you're profitable. In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Jillian Klinar from INNERGY to talk about why choosing the right deals can make or break your millwork or cabinetry business. What you'll learn in this episode: 1. Why the average shop wins only 20% of bids — and what to do about it 2. How to grade custome
Estimating Chaos? Here's How to Fix It | with Ben Hudachek
Every profitable project starts with one thing: estimating. In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Ben Hudachek of BH Estimating to talk about why estimating is the heartbeat of your cabinetry or millwork business—and how to finally take control of it. What You'll Learn: 1. Why most estimating systems stall business growth 2. How to hand off estimating with confidence 3. The power of check
I Know Why Your Jobs Are Going Sideways
What's really causing delays, rework, and frustration in your shop? After surveying 126 companies, we uncovered the truth: it's not the people—it's the lack of leadership systems. In this episode, Dominic Rubino shares insights that every construction and contracting business owner needs to hear: What you'll learn: 1. The top shop-floor problems that derail production (and why communication is the
Balance in Contracting with Ashley Stuckless
In this episode, Dominic Rubino chats with Ashley Stuckless—civil contractor, engineer, and founder of High BC Hunting—about how to balance construction business ownership, family life, and high-performance backcountry adventures. If you're a contractor who wants time for family, hunting, or just peace of mind, this episode is for you. 🔑 What We Cover: 1. Why work-life balance is a discipline, not
How to make sure you are profitable with Adam Sylvester
If you've ever wondered why you're working harder but not keeping more money, this episode is for you. Dominic Rubino sits down with Adam Sylvester (Charlottesville Gutter Pros & Charlottesville Lawn Care) to break down the 'Go Back Report'—a tool that uncovers the true cost of rework, callbacks, and discounts in a contracting business. In this episode, we cover: 1. How to calculate the true cost
How to Make More Money from Insurance Claims — with Expert Galen Hair
What happens when your project gets damaged and the insurance company lowballs the claim? In this episode of the Cabinet Maker Profit System Podcast, Dominic Rubino sits down with insurance expert Galen Hair from Insurance Claim HQ to reveal strategies contractors can use to get paid fairly. You'll Learn: 1. Why insurance companies benchmark against big-box store cabinets instead of custom work 2.
From Chaos to Clarity: How smart shops use Cabinet Vision to Grow (Hey Engineers!) with David Buchsbaum
If you've ever been frustrated with Cabinet Vision, this episode is for you. Dominic Rubino sits down with David Buchsbaum of Beacon Solutions LLC — a former shop owner turned software consultant — to explore how smart shops use Cabinet Vision to boost productivity, reduce errors, and make more money. What you'll learn in this episode: 1. How to identify and remove "bloat" from your Cabinet Vision
Wealth Planning for Blue Collar Millionaires with Chad Hufford
You work hard. You make good money. But if you're not keeping it — you're not really winning. In this episode of Cabinet Maker Profit System, Dominic Rubino sits down with Chad Hufford, Financial Planner and Owner of Veritas Wealth Management, to talk about how trades business owners can start planning like the millionaires they are. 🔑 What You'll Learn: 1. The difference between making money vs.
I Will Train Your Foreman For You- Survey Results with Dominic Rubino
Promoting your tradesmen doesn't automatically create a great foreman. In this episode of the Cabinet Maker Profit System, Dominic Rubino shares the hard truth: most foremen are set up to fail—and it's costing you growth, time, and peace of mind. 💡 Based on exit interviews, industry forums, and leadership data from 26 companies currently in training, Dominic walks through: 🔹 Why foremen get burned
I never take a day off- so what? with Fyfe Barraclough
In this episode of Cabinet Maker Profit System, Dominic Rubino sits down with Fyfe Barraclough—entrepreneur, coach, and former painting contractor—to explore the truth behind overwork in the trades. Too many contractors wear busyness like a badge. But behind the hustle is often fear, poor delegation, and lack of systems. 🔍 In this episode: 👉 Why "I never take a day off" is a red flag 👉 How mental
How a $4M Cabinet Shop Owner Thinks: Real Coaching Insights to Unlock Growth & Profitability
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 calc
How I built and sold my company- to my employees! with Carroll Fitzgerald
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
Your Dream Foreman with Andrea Hoffer
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
Windshield Time Sucks! with James Hatfield
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 sto
Atomic Habits for Trades: What James Clear Would Say About Your Shop
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
I don't need marketing we're already busy with Katie Smith
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:
How to build and Sell cabinets with Chip Tighe
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 Distr
Project Management for Cabinetry & Contractors with Clint Padgett
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:
My accountant told me I made a PROFIT- So WHERE IS IT? with Phil McGilvray
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 deb
How to STOP making Money Mistakes with Profit First Author, Mike Michalowicz
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
MILLWORKERS! All about Surety Bonds for Architectural Millwork Jobs with Matthew Snowden
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 in
Your Website Sucks and Google Hates you with Sam Natello
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- are you interested???
📣 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?
Why Some Contractors Get Multi Generation Rich… and Others Stay Stuck with Dominic Rubino
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 sh
