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 help his team buy the business What makes a succession plan actually work in the trades 🎧 Don’t forget to like, comment, and follow for more business growth stories in construction trades. More about Carroll Fitzgerald: LinkedIn:  Fitzgerald's:  FOLLOW 👉     Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System:  Profit Toolbelt:  Contractor Wealth System:  #TradesBusiness #SuccessionPlanning #EmployeeBuyout #ConstructionLeadership #DominicRubino #ProfitToolBeltPodcast #CabinetMakerProfitSystem #ContractorWealthSystems #CarrollFitzgerald #FitzgeraldsLandscaping

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 your pipeline ➡️ Interviewing tips to assess candidates like a pro ➡️ What to do after hiring to motivate and retain your best talent 🎯 This episode is a must-listen if you’re a trades business owner tired of bad hires. 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes on hiring, profitability, and leadership in the trades. More about Andrea Hoffer: LinkedIn: aha! Talent Experts: FOLLOW 👉     Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: Profit Toolbelt: Contractor Wealth System: #foremen #contractortips #cabinetmaker #millwork #tradesmen #hiringtips  #businessowners #hiringpractices #contractorlife

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. Creating recurring revenue in trades like painting, millwork, and cabinetry 4. Claiming your territory and building brand stickiness 5. Smart uses of tech for installs, site checks, and training 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more no-nonsense contractor business tips. 💬 Drop your biggest windshield time headache below. More about James Hatfield: LinkedIn: LiveSwitch: FOLLOW 👉   Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: Profit Toolbelt: Contractor Wealth System: #constructionbusiness #contractortips #cabinetmaker #millwork #tradesmen #SmallBusinessGrowth #leadqualification #recurringrevenue #constructiontechnology #cabinetmakerprofitsystem

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 slashed rework in half If you run a cabinet shop, millwork company, or lead a trades team—this one’s for you. 📲 Text “Foreman Training” to 315-903-7853 to learn more. 👍 Like and subscribe 💬 Drop a comment: What habits do you think would change your team the most? FOLLOW 👉   Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: https://www.cabinetmakerprofitsystem.com Profit Toolbelt: https://www.profittoolbelt.com/ Contractor Wealth System: https://www.contractorwealthsystem.com/ #atomichabits #jamesclear #tradesmen #woodshop #contractortips #woodworking #habitstacking #woodworkingcommunity #furnituremaking #cabinetdesign

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 about ads — it’s about showing up and serving 3️⃣ Real-world examples of contractors making marketing work without being flashy 4️⃣ Tips for staying authentic and community-focused in your marketing 🎧 Tune in and subscribe for more real talk about growing your cabinetry or millwork business! 💬 Leave a comment to share your thoughts or how you’re marketing to your ideal clients! More about Katie Smith: LinkedIn: Wild Path Consulting: FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE 👉 Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: Profit Toolbelt: Contractor Wealth System: #constructionmarketing #contractormarketing #marketingstrategy #contractorlife #marketingtips #cabinetry #millwork #tradesbusiness

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) 🔹 Real-life project stories — including a $300K closet build 🔹 How to run lean and still earn high margins 🔹 Avoiding callbacks through smart design and installs 📣 Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more episodes on building a better cabinetry business! More about Chip: LinkedIn: Organizers Direct Industries: FOLLOW 👉   Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: Profit Toolbelt: Contractor Wealth System: #cabinetry #cabinetmaking #businessmodel #distributorship #homeorganization #closetdesign #customcabinets #constructionbusiness #franchise

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 ➡️ Avoid the biggest time-wasters in construction project management ➡️ Train new PMs to talk (not just text) ➡️ Use conversations to prevent disasters and scope creep Follow us for more straight-talking business advice for trades pros. And don’t forget to share it with someone who needs to hear it. More about Clint: Website: Project Success Inc: The Conversation with Clinton M. Padgett: FOLLOW 👉   Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: Profit Toolbelt: Contractor Wealth System: #ProjectManagement #ProjectPlanning  #Millwork #CabinetMaking #WoodworkingBusiness #CabinetDesign #FurnitureMaking #woodworking #woodworkingcommunity #businesstips

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 your rates and cutting waste If you're in cabinetry, millwork, or any trade-based business, you can't afford to miss this episode. 👍 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment if this helped you! More about Phil: Website: Grandma’s Jars: The Cashflow Fix by Phil McGilvray: FOLLOW 👉   Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: Profit Toolbelt: Contractor Wealth System: #cashflow #profitability #Millwork #CabinetMaking #WoodworkingBusiness #CabinetDesign #FurnitureMaking #woodworking #woodworkingcommunity #businesstips

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 Money Habit 💬 Drop your biggest takeaway in the comments! 📣 Share this episode with a contractor who needs to hear it More about Mike: LinkedIn: Website: Profit First Professionals:  FOLLOW 👉     Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: Profit Toolbelt: Contractor Wealth System: #moneytalks #profitfirst #Millwork #CabinetMaking #WoodworkingBusiness #CustomCabinetry #CabinetDesign #FurnitureMaking #woodworking #woodworkingcommunity #constructionbusiness

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 happens when a bond goes sideways 🔹 Strategies to use bonds as a profit tool 📲 Don’t forget to follow us! Guest Links: LinkedIn: Website: FOLLOW 👉   Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: Profit Toolbelt: Contractor Wealth System: #SuretyBonds #MillworkSuccess #Millwork #CabinetMaking #WoodworkingBusiness #CustomCabinetry #CabinetDesign #FurnitureMaking #woodworking #woodworkingcommunity #constructionbusiness