Resilience and Growth: Lessons from Cancer Survivor and Contractor Luke Soderling

In the world of home services, success is often measured by revenue and fleet size. But for Luke Soderling, owner of Proof Home Services, the journey to building a thriving plumbing business and electrical contractor firm was forged through trials far more intense than any job site challenge.

In a recent episode of The Successful Contractor Podcast, Luke shared his incredible story of surviving stage three thyroid cancer, winning a reality TV survival show, and leveraging those experiences to achieve 600% business growth.

A Life-Altering Diagnosis

In 2013, at just 33 years old, Luke’s life changed in an instant when a lump on his neck was diagnosed as stage three thyroid cancer. “I was devastated,” Luke recalls. “You think you’re invincible at that age”.

The treatment process was grueling, involving surgery and radioactive iodine therapy that required him to be isolated from his family. To survive, Luke learned a lesson that would later define his approach to contractor management: focus on what you can control today and break massive problems into small, manageable chunks.

From Survival to the Trades

Luke’s roots in the trades run deep. His father, Chuck, started the family plumbing business in 1990 after being laid off from the mines in Northern Minnesota. Luke began working full-time at 16, eventually taking over the reins in 2020.

Under Luke’s leadership, Proof Home Services evolved from a “Chuck in a truck” operation to a multi-trade powerhouse. By integrating electrical contractor software and modern contractor management services, the company scaled from a solo operation to a team of nine, achieving staggering growth.

3 Keys to 600% Growth

Luke attributes his 600% growth over four years to a combination of mental toughness and professional hvac business coaching (applied to plumbing and electrical). Here are his top takeaways for other tradespeople:

1. Invest in Leadership and Soft Skills

Luke realized early on that to lead a team, he had to work on himself. He utilized hvac business training resources—specifically emotional intelligence and management training—to become a leader worth following.

2. Implement Professional Systems

Moving away from “mental math” to straightforward pricing changed the game. By using a structured approach, the business became more transparent for customers and more profitable for the team.

3. Join a Supportive Community

Luke emphasizes that “you don’t know what you don’t know”. Being part of a network like Certain Path provided the trades business coach environment needed to navigate the complexities of scaling a plumbing business.

The Power of Perspective

Today, Luke is not only a successful business owner but also a speaker who travels the world sharing lessons on determination. Whether he is managing a complex plumbing sales training session or navigating the daily hurdles of being an electrician contractor, his past challenges keep him grounded.

“It’s very hard to complain now,” Luke says. “When my kids complain about something, I just ask, ‘Do you remember what I did?’”.

Watch the Full Story

To hear more about Luke Soderling’s journey from cancer survivor to reality TV winner and successful contractor, listen to the full episode on the Certain Path Podcast.

Click Here to Listen to the Full Podcast Episode