Growth Journey of LBK Design Build
Background
Nick Kornea founded LBK Design Build in 2014 after extensive experience in construction and his family’s bath-remodeling business. Initially, the company faced financial struggles, but a significant change occurred after Kornea joined the business peer group Remodelers Advantage in 2018. This move allowed him to enhance LBK’s accounting and job costing systems, setting the stage for future growth.
Financial Progress
Based in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, LBK experienced a revenue increase from $6.7 million in 2024 to $7.5 million in 2025. The company boasts a gross margin of 38.3% and a net profit of 12%, with optimistic projections for 2026, anticipating $9.5 million in revenue. With a team of 24 employees, LBK completed 40 projects in 2025.
Key Growth Initiatives
1. Hiring for Culture Fit
Kornea’s first major initiative emphasized a thoughtful hiring process. Recognizing that rapid hires during 2023 led to cultural misalignment, he took responsibility and reinforced the company’s core values, shaping the hiring process around these principles.
- Behavioral Interviews: The team developed tailored interview questions based on core values and established a scoring rubric. Candidates needed at least 60 out of 70 to proceed further.
- 90-Day Training Program: New employees undergo a structured training regimen and meet various team members, clarifying roles and expectations.
To enhance organizational accountability, LBK adopted the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), which streamlined meetings and goal-setting processes.
2. Creating a Unified Software System
The second challenge was the inefficiency caused by using multiple disjointed software platforms. Kornea envisioned a unified system, inspired during discussions with a client.
- AiO Software Development: The new platform, AiO (All in One), integrates functions such as CRM, project management, internal workflows, and more, enabling seamless data flow throughout the project lifecycle. This solution reduces redundancy and increases efficiency.
Conclusion
Through focused hiring strategies and the development of a comprehensive software system, LBK Design Build aligns its culture and technology, laying the groundwork for sustained future growth. Kornea’s dual approach—creating a disciplined team and an efficient operating framework—has proven essential in navigating the complexities of scaling a business.
