Cabinet Maker Profit System Podcast

Dominic Rubino

For business owners who are CabinetMakers, Architectural Woodworkers Furniture Makers and Woodwork shop owners. Cabinet Maker Profit System is a resource that shows you how to work less and earn more. Listening here is how you "2x your Profits" and "2x your Time off". For tips, tricks and information on business building. Its not boring business talk- its real world info, podcasts, videos and articles just for trades pro's. Join the conversation at --> www.cabinetmakerprofitsystem.com

  1. I had to change or the bank was calling my loan!

    2d ago

    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 built projects, managed production, trained employees, and measured performance. In this episode, Dominic Rubino sits down with Erik Fetzer to discuss the systems that helped a fourth-generation architectural millwork company become stronger, more profitable, and more efficient. In this episode you'll learn: ✅ Why batch size impacts profitability ✅ How flow beats inventory ✅ Why "working harder" isn't the answer ✅ The three principles of continuous improvement ✅ How to eliminate waste in your shop ✅ Why data matters more than opinions ✅ The leadership lesson every shop owner needs One quote you'll probably remember: "People do what their bosses talk about and measure." Whether you own a cabinet shop, millwork company, or custom woodworking business, this episode will challenge how you think about operations. 👍 Like this video 💬 Comment your biggest takeaway 🔔 Subscribe for more practical business advice for cabinet shop owners. More about Erik Fetzer: Site: https://fetzerwood.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fetzerwood 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 #cabinetmakerprofitsystem #ProfitToolBelt #dominicrubino #fatherhood #marriageadvice #familybusiness #contractorlife #millwork #cabinetmaker #woodwork #profitability #podcast #efficiency #entrepreneur #architecturalmillwork #estimating #woodworkingbusiness #CabinetShop #ArchitecturalMillwork #ContinuousImprovement #LeanManufacturing #WoodworkingBusiness #ShopManagement #ManufacturingLeadership #BusinessSystems

    55 min
  2. How to Estimate Millwork Jobs and Win the Jobs you want!

    Jul 2

    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're still doing every estimate yourself or training your first estimator, this conversation offers practical lessons you can apply immediately. You'll learn: ✔️ What separates a great estimator from an average one ✔️ How to know which bids deserve your time ✔️ Why following up after bids increases your win rate ✔️ How better communication builds stronger GC relationships ✔️ Why systems reduce chaos inside the office If you're tired of spending hours estimating projects that go nowhere, this episode will help you build a smarter estimating process. 👍 Like this video 💬 What was your biggest takeaway? 🔔 Subscribe for more real-world business advice for contractors and shop owners. More about Richard Bergan: Site: https://richardbergan.com/ https://www.berganwood.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/berganwoodworking Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berganwoodworking 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 #cabinetmakerprofitsystem #ProfitToolBelt #dominicrubino #fatherhood #marriageadvice #familybusiness #contractorlife #millwork #cabinetmaker #woodwork #profitability #podcast #efficiency #entrepreneur #architecturalmillwork #estimating #woodworkingbusiness #Architectural millwork #Bid management #Estimating process #Richard Bergan

    1h 1m
  3. Uh Oh- Im working so hard i forgot about my family with Larry Hagner

    Jun 25

    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, relationships, and why success means very little if you lose connection with the people who matter most. You'll learn: ✔ Why many husbands feel more like roommates than partners ✔ Why kids spell love T-I-M-E ✔ Why your wife wants to feel seen, heard, and safe ✔ How work can quietly steal the moments you'll never get back ✔ Why providing money isn't the same as providing connection ✔ How to build a life not just a business This episode is for contractors, cabinet makers, remodelers, and business owners who want success without sacrificing family. 🎙 Guest: Larry Hagner - Founder of The Dad Edge 👍 Like this video 💬 What was your biggest takeaway? 🔔 Subscribe for more real-world business advice for contractors and shop owners. More about Larry Hagner: Site: https://thedadedge.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-hagner-a82b8715/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedadedge Books: https://thedadedge.com/product-category/books/ 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

    55 min
  4. I Built $40M in Businesses... and Was Miserable

    Jun 18

    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 in revenue, and discovering that success alone wasn't enough. Together they explore why so many contractors feel trapped in "robot mode," the importance of financial stability, and how business owners can create impact beyond profits. You'll also discover Spencer's three entrepreneurial archetypes—the Pure Archetype, Conscious Archetype, and Abundant Archetype and how understanding your own path can help you build a business that provides meaning, fulfillment, and financial freedom. Whether you're a contractor, home service business owner, trades entrepreneur, or leader looking for greater purpose, this conversation will challenge the way you think about success and what comes next. In this video, you'll learn: • Why money alone doesn't create happiness. • The three purpose-driven entrepreneur archetypes. • How financial clarity unlocks freedom. • Why many business owners experience "robot mode." • How contractors can create impact through their businesses. • Ways to build a legacy that extends beyond profits. More about Spencer Sheinin: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencersheinin/ Entreprenutcases: https://entreprenutcases.com/ Author Website: https://entreprenumbers.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiftfinancialinsights/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spencerrsheinin/ Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: https://www.cabinetmakerprofitsystem.com Profit Toolbelt: https://www.profittoolbelt.com/ Contractor Wealth System: https://www.contractorwealthsystem.com/ What gives YOU the greatest sense of purpose in your business? Let us know in the comments below! DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE: @Cabinetmakerprofitsystemcom @profittoolbelt4527 #CabinetMaker #WoodworkingBusiness #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #SmallBusinessOwner #SuccessMindset #FinancialFreedom #PurposeDriven

    55 min
  5. Industry Standard: 45%. They Were at 12%.

    Jun 11

    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 discovered hidden problems with cost of goods sold, inventory, pricing, gross profit margin, and rework that were quietly limiting growth. You'll hear how understanding cabinet shop financial benchmarks helped them regain confidence, improve inventory management, tighten their sales process, and start making decisions based on facts instead of guesswork. Coach Pete Ficco also shares lessons from scaling an Amish cabinet operation from $3.5 million to $10 million and explains why tracking conversion rates, gross profit, and end-of-job reports are essential for profitable growth. If you're a cabinet maker, millwork company owner, closet shop, or woodworking entrepreneur looking to grow your business, this episode offers practical advice and real-world examples from owners who are in the trenches every day. In this video, you'll learn: • Why most cabinet shops struggle with profitability • How to benchmark your numbers against the industry • The dangers of excessive inventory and hidden rework • How pricing confidence affects growth • Why SOPs and lead tracking improve sales • How to work on your business instead of staying stuck in the tools Our mission is to help cabinet shop owners build profitable businesses that support their families, create freedom, and provide lasting impact for future generations. More about James and Sally: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-edrington-331a37b4 Website: https://www.schrockscountrykitchens.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/ What's the biggest challenge in your cabinet shop right now: pricing, inventory, rework, hiring, or getting off the tools? Let us know in the comments below! DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE: ⁨@Cabinetmakerprofitsystemcom⁩ ⁨@profittoolbelt4527⁩ #cabinetshop #woodworkingbusiness #cabinetmakers #customcabinets #smallbusinessgrowth #businesscoaching #profitability #woodworkingentrepreneur #contractorbusiness

    43 min
  6. Your People Aren't the Problem (Your Systems Are)

    Jun 4

    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 conversation dives deep into one of the biggest challenges contractors face: people problems. You'll learn how successful trade business owners create role clarity, develop leadership systems, build company culture, and use strategic planning to align their teams around growth goals. Pete explains how tools like Team at Risk Reviews, organizational charts, core values, foreman training, and End of Job Reports can help construction companies make better hiring decisions, improve retention, and increase profitability. The discussion also explores the balance between the emotional side of leadership and the logical side of data-driven decision making. In this video, you'll learn: • How to identify and solve people problems in the trades • Why role clarity improves team performance • How strategic planning creates alignment • The importance of company values and culture • Ways to improve employee retention • How End of Job Reports reveal hidden profit leaks • Why contractors lose money without realizing it • Leadership lessons for growing construction companies Whether you're a remodeling contractor, custom home builder, cabinet shop owner, trades business owner, or construction entrepreneur, these systems can help you build a stronger team and a more profitable business. This interview provides actionable strategies you can implement immediately to improve operations and scale your company. More about Pete Ficco: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-ficco-b203b017? Company's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prosper-vp? Website: https://www.prospervp.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/ What's the biggest people challenge you're facing in your business right now, and what system have you put in place to solve it? DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE: @Cabinetmakerprofitsystemcom @profittoolbelt4527 #ContractorLife #ConstructionBusiness #ConstructionManagement #TradesBusiness #ContractorSuccess #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamManagement #SmallBusinessGrowth #constructionleadership

    37 min
  7. Why Most Millwork Shops Struggle to Scale

    May 28

    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 millwork shops can become more intentional about growth. Jacob shares real-world lessons from scaling a high-end architectural millwork business in Colorado, including how to choose the right projects, improve estimating accuracy, build stronger team culture, and create systems that support long-term profitability. In this episode, you'll learn: • How to estimate commercial millwork projects more strategically • Why dashboards and scorecards matter for shop growth • How company values impact hiring, leadership, and culture • Why some shops stay stuck in day-to-day operations • How to identify profitable millwork projects faster • The importance of long-term planning in construction businesses More about Jacob Deis: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-deis-51ab20314/ Company's Website: https://formationmw.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deisdesigns/ Also check out: Cabinet Maker Profit System: https://www.cabinetmakerprofitsystem.com Profit Toolbelt: https://www.profittoolbelt.com/ Contractor Wealth System: https://www.contractorwealthsystem.com/ Question - What's the biggest bottleneck in your construction or millwork business right now: estimating, hiring, culture, or project management? DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE: @Cabinetmakerprofitsystemcom @profittoolbelt4527 #CommercialMillwork #ConstructionBusiness #Millwork #ConstructionLeadership #Estimating #ArchitecturalMillwork #ContractorLife #ProjectManagement #BusinessGrowth

    46 min
  8. You Don't Need More Sales — You Need This

    May 21

    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 investing, protecting your family financially, and why mindset matters just as much as money. If you want more profit, more control, and a stronger financial future for your family, this episode is packed with practical lessons and real-world wisdom. In this video, you'll learn: • Why contractors need liquidity and reserve funds • How mindset impacts financial success • Why investing in your own business matters first • How real estate creates long-term financial stability • The biggest financial mistakes business owners make • Why legacy is more than just money More about Gary Pinkerton: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garywpinkerton/ Company's Website: https://www.garypinkerton.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkerton_gary/ Question - What's the biggest financial lesson you've learned as a business owner? 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 #ContractorBusiness #FinancialFreedom #BusinessOwner #WealthBuilding #realestateinvestingwithnomoney #ContractorLife #EntrepreneurMindset #businessgrowthtips

    49 min
4.6
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

For business owners who are CabinetMakers, Architectural Woodworkers Furniture Makers and Woodwork shop owners. Cabinet Maker Profit System is a resource that shows you how to work less and earn more. Listening here is how you "2x your Profits" and "2x your Time off". For tips, tricks and information on business building. Its not boring business talk- its real world info, podcasts, videos and articles just for trades pro's. Join the conversation at --> www.cabinetmakerprofitsystem.com

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