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What does it take to transform a small garage startup into the world’s largest online retailer of custom blinds? In this episode, Cody McLain sits down with Jay Steinfeld, the founder and former CEO of Blinds.com, to uncover the secrets behind his groundbreaking leadership philosophy—the Four E’s: Evolve, Experiment, Express, and Enjoy.
Jay shares how these principles shaped Blinds.com’s journey from its humble beginnings to a $150 billion partnership with Home Depot, and why fostering a culture of continuous improvement, generosity, and experimentation was critical to its success.
Discover how to build a thriving business culture, create meaningful customer experiences, and lead with authenticity—even in the face of adversity. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or innovator, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you achieve your own business breakthrough.
About this Guest
Jay Steinfeld is an accomplished entrepreneur, author, and business leader who revolutionized the e-commerce industry as the founder and former CEO of Blinds.com, the world’s largest online retailer of custom blinds. Launching the company from his garage in 1993, Jay built it into a market leader, culminating in its acquisition by Home Depot.
A pioneer in business innovation, Jay is known for his leadership philosophy, “The Four E’s: Evolve, Experiment, Express, and Enjoy,” which he detailed in his book Lead from the Core: The Four Principles for Profit and Prosperity. Beyond his entrepreneurial success, Jay is an Entrepreneur in Residence at Rice University, an advisor at UT Austin’s Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center, and a sought-after speaker on leadership, culture, and innovation.
Through his work, Jay has inspired countless individuals and organizations to embrace continuous improvement, create impactful cultures, and lead with authenticity and generosity.
Website: https://www.jaysteinfeld.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/jaysteinfeld
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jay_steinfeld
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysteinfeld/
Listen on Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/4glUAKz
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1MUIgxU27V1jGJayct1Rn4?si=ADn1lsVaQtmI6IHL-lxE4A
Download as an MP3: https://bit.ly/4ghAMbo
Lead from the Core By Jay Steinfeld: https://amzn.to/4iEbN3p
People & Other Mentions
UT Austin's Herb Keller Entrepreneurship Center: https://herbkellehercenter.mccombs.utexas.edu/entrepreneur-in-residence/
Rice University: https://www.rice.edu/
Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant: https://amzn.to/3Z65jBH
Stephen Covey: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Covey
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick M. Lencioni: https://amzn.to/3ZikfNe
From Foster Care to Millionaire: A Young Entrepreneur's Journey of Success, Failure, and Triumph by Cody McLain: https://amzn.to/4f5EWBM
Edwin Catmull: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Catmull
Listen now! 👇
https://mindhack.com/episode/unlock-your-potential-ep-074
Subscribe now! 👇
https://bit.ly/3M5No7S
0:00 Intro
0:38 About Jay
2:26 The Journey from Garage to Home Depot
5:53 Early Entrepreneurial Ventures
7:28 Challenges and Innovations in E-commerce
9:11 Customer Service and Company Culture
27:44 Delegation and Trust in Leadership
31:46 Continuous Improvement and Experimentation
38:02 Communication and Employee Engagement
44:51 The Importance of Core Values
54:49 Empowering Employees to Grow
1:06:45 Finding Mental Fortitude and Maintaining Core Values Post-Acquisition
1:14:48 Identity Crisis, Keeping the Numbers, Building a Business and Final Thoughts