Lou Hobica built a multi-trade home service company from the ground up, achieving 30% net profit margins before selling it for a life-changing amount. His journey showcases how focusing on profitability metrics and customer experience can transform a traditional trades business into a profit powerhouse.
• Transformed his father's small refrigeration business from 5% to 30% net profit
• Created a streamlined 8-week apprenticeship program to build the right team culture
• Focused on selling themselves first—"You'll like a Hobica"—not just their services
• Discovered $1 of labor carries $3 of overhead while parts/equipment only carries $0.50
• Used flat-rate pricing and strategic subcontracting for labor-intensive work
• Built a multi-trade model to level out seasonal revenue fluctuations
• Focused on revenue per employee ($400K/employee correlates with 30% net profit)
• Marketed aggressively to existing customers (130+ touches per year)
• Prioritized selling to existing customers who already like and trust you over new leads
• Shared the emotional reality of exiting a business after 40 years of building it
Book a meeting with Tyler at cfomadeeasy.com to discuss how these strategies can apply to your business. There's no heavy pitch – just a conversation about your challenges and potential solutions.
🎙️ Profit & Grit by Tyler Martin
Real stories. Real strategy. Real results for service-based business owners.

🔗 Website: ProfitAndGrit.com
📍 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thinktyler
📸 Instagram & TikTok: @profitandgrit
Tyler Martin, a fractional CFO for home services and the trades
📅 Want to grow your business with smarter financial strategy?
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