Cabinet Maker Profit System Podcast

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, a personal bankruptcy, rebuilding from scratch, and eventually creating a new company around a problem he saw firsthand: recruiting is broken for small and mid-sized businesses. If you're a contractor, cabinet shop owner, millwork owner, remodeler, or trades business owner trying to grow, this episode will feel very real. In this episode, we cover: - What Ryan learned from bankruptcy - Why owners hold onto bad ideas too long - How to test a business idea before going all in - Why recruiting is a real skill, not an extra task - How culture, compensation, and clarity affect hiring - Why metrics matter if you want to scale - How to stop being the bottleneck in your own business If this episode helped you: 👉 Subscribe for more contractor-focused business strategies 👉 Like this video to support the channel 👇 Drop a comment: More about Ryan Hogan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanehogan/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talentharbor/ Website: https://talentharbor.com/ Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: https://www.cabinetmakerprofitsystem.com Profit Toolbelt: https://www.profittoolbelt.com/ Contractor Wealth System: https://www.contractorwealthsystem.com/

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, job performance, and profit leaks need to be tracked Rework doesn't always look dramatic. Sometimes it's: a missing part the wrong color a mislabeled pallet a second trip to site overtime that never should have happened That is why this episode matters. Subscribe for more contractor-focused business strategies Like this video to support the channel Drop a comment: Where does rework hit your business the hardest: office, shop, or install? More about Ryan Hindmarsh LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhindmarsh/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mid-ontario-appliance-installations/ Website: www.rhinocoaching.ca Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: https://www.cabinetmakerprofitsystem.com Profit Toolbelt: https://www.profittoolbelt.com/ Contractor Wealth System: https://www.contractorwealthsystem.com/

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 jobsite issues, and uncomfortable pricing conversations. Colleen breaks down how better communication, better expectation-setting, and better leadership can make those conversations easier and more professional. In this episode, you'll hear about: ✅ Why change orders should be discussed before they happen ✅ How to set expectations without sounding negative ✅ Why clients react badly to surprises ✅ How better communication protects trust and profit ✅ The power of giving clients choices ✅ Why recurring problems usually point to a broken system ✅ How mentorship and delegation connect to stronger leadership If you work in cabinetry, millwork, remodeling, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or general contracting, this episode will give you practical ideas you can use right away. 👉 Subscribe for more contractor-focused business strategies 👉 Like this video to support the channel 👇 Drop a comment: What's the hardest part of handling change orders in your business? More about Colleen Stanley: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenstanleysli/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/salesleadership-inc./ Personal / Company Website: https://www.salesleadershipdevelopment.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colleen.stanley.716/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalesLeadership/ Books Page: https://www.salesleadershipdevelopment.com/resources Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: https://www.cabinetmakerprofitsystem.com Profit Toolbelt: https://www.profittoolbelt.com/ Contractor Wealth System: https://www.contractorwealthsystem.com/ DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE: ⁨@Cabinetmakerprofitsystemcom⁩ ⁨@profittoolbelt4527⁩

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 numbers that actually drive results. Topics covered: ✅ Why most owners track nothing (or track the wrong stuff) ✅ The "magic numbers" that expose your biggest bottleneck ✅ Revenue per employee (daily + hourly) and why it matters ✅ The One Hour Calculator and how it sets pricing correctly ✅ Why a high close rate can mean you're underpriced ✅ How to raise prices without panicking ✅ Holding team standards (and why culture affects profit) ✅ Using EOJ/job-costing to stop guessing 👉 Subscribe for more contractor-focused business strategies 👉 Like this video to support the channel 👇 Drop a comment: What's the ONE number you need to start tracking weekly? More about Adam Sylvester: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-sylvester-72b64350/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/charlottesville-gutter-pros/ Podcast Name: Masters of Home Service Podcast Page (Jobber): https://www.getjobber.com/podcast/ Direct Podcast Feed: https://mastersofhomeservice.podbean.com/ Personal Website: https://www.adamsylvester.com/ Company Website (Charlottesville Gutter Pros): https://cvillegutterpros.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adam.sylvester.71/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamsylvester/ Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: https://www.cabinetmakerprofitsystem.com Profit Toolbelt: https://www.profittoolbelt.com/ Contractor Wealth System: https://www.contractorwealthsystem.com/ DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE: @Cabinetmakerprofitsystemcom @profittoolbelt4527

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 chaotic, interruptions are constant, or hiring feels harder than it should, this episode will help you see where structure and leadership can make everything smoother. Topics covered: • Why HR problems are usually leadership system problems • How better onboarding reduces stress and turnover • The impact interruptions have on foremen and production leaders • Resetting your strategic plan mid-quarter • The Christmas Water Project and how contractors are creating real impact 👉 Subscribe for more contractor-focused business strategies 👉 Like this video to support the channel 👉 Comment below: What's your biggest hiring or leadership challenge? More about Helen Vitoria LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-vitoria-032565186 About.me: http://about.me/HelenVitoria Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: https://www.cabinetmakerprofitsystem.com Profit Toolbelt: https://www.profittoolbelt.com/ Contractor Wealth System: https://www.contractorwealthsystem.com/ DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE: ⁨@Cabinetmakerprofitsystemcom⁩ ⁨@profittoolbelt4527⁩

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 as profitable as you should be, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: • Why the AWI Cost of Doing Business Survey matters • The difference between average and high-performing firms • What 17% vs 20%+ net profit really means • How to remove emotion from estimating • Why trade associations help contractors grow faster • The power of benchmarking your numbers This conversation is practical, direct, and focused on what actually works. 👉 Subscribe for more contractor-focused business strategies 👉 Like this video to support the channel 👉 Comment below: What's your current net profit target? More about Lauren Bourland Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-bourland-8b785b183/ Company's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/custom-source-woodworking-inc-/ Company's Website: https://www.csw.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/customsourcewoodworking Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/customsourcewoodworking Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: https://www.cabinetmakerprofitsystem.com Profit Toolbelt: https://www.profittoolbelt.com/ Contractor Wealth System: https://www.contractorwealthsystem.com/ DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE: @Cabinetmakerprofitsystemcom @profittoolbelt4527

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 finish (pros/cons + client expectations) -Summer vs winter curing differences (and what it does to scheduling) -Managing thermal reaction: fans, AC, and pouring in stages -Dust + bug control for flood coats (booth/tent strategies) -Why epoxy must be priced as custom work (materials can cost significantly more than wood) -Training options for shops and foremen getting into epoxy work 👉 Enjoy the episode? Hit LIKE 💬 Share your thoughts in the comments 🔔 Subscribe for weekly cabinet-making and millwork business advice More About Jake Latvala: Website | Facebook | Instagram Also check out:Cabinet Maker Profit System | Profit Toolbelt | Contractor Wealth System DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE: @Cabinetmakerprofitsystemcom | @profittoolbelt4527

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 reviews drive more leads • How photos and videos build trust • Why answering the phone fast matters • How to build systems that scale This episode is packed with practical advice you can use right away. 👉 Enjoy the episode? Hit LIKE 💬 Share your thoughts in the comments 🔔 Subscribe for weekly cabinet-making and millwork business advice More about Adrienne Folse: LinkedIn | Instagram More about Rob Folse: LinkedIn | Books More about their Company: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter (X) Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System | Profit Toolbelt | Contractor Wealth System DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE: @Cabinetmakerprofitsystemcom @profittoolbelt4527

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 experience) Capturing jobsite info like "forensics" (photo + documentation) How better systems support succession planning and scaling What's coming next (LiDAR + future workflows) 👉 Enjoy the episode? Hit LIKE 💬 Share your thoughts in the comments 🔔 Subscribe for weekly cabinet-making and millwork business advice More about Steven Moraan: LinkedIn | Company LinkedIn | Website | Flexijet Instagram | Flexijet Facebook | Flexijet YouTube Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System | Profit Toolbelt | Contractor Wealth System DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE: @profittoolbelt4527 @Cabinetmakerprofitsystemcom

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 struggle to let go of the business • The ARC of Succession: Assets, Roles, and Capabilities • How unclear ownership and leadership cause conflict • Why family governance matters in contracting businesses • How to prepare the next generation for long-term success This episode is essential listening for contractors thinking about retirement, selling their company, or passing the business to family. 👉 Enjoy the episode? Hit LIKE 💬 Share your thoughts in the comments 🔔 Subscribe for weekly cabinet-making and millwork business advice More about Josh Baron: LinkedIn | Book | Company Website | Instagram | YouTube Channel Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System | Profit Toolbelt | Contractor Wealth System DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE: @profittoolbelt4527 @Cabinetmakerprofitsystemcom