The Four E’s of Success: How Blinds.com Became a Business Powerhouse | Ep. 079

MindHack Podcast

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.
ℹ️ 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
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• Listen on Apple Podcast
• Listen on Spotify
• Download as an MP3 - https://bit.ly/4ghAMbo
• Lead from the Core By Jay Steinfeld

👨‍💻 People & Other Mentions

• UT Austin's Herb Keller Entrepreneurship Center
• Rice University
• Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant
• Stephen Covey
• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick M. Lencioni
• From Foster Care to Millionaire: A Young Entrepreneur's Journey of Success, Failure, and Triumph by Cody McLain
• Edwin Catmull00078

فصول

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. About Jay (00:00:38)

3. The Journey from Garage to Home Depot (00:02:27)

4. Early Entrepreneurial Ventures (00:05:49)

5. Challenges and Innovations in E-commerce (00:07:22)

6. Customer Service and Company Culture (00:09:04)

7. Delegation and Trust in Leadership (00:26:59)

8. Continuous Improvement and Experimentation (00:30:53)

9. Communication and Employee Engagement (00:36:59)

10. The Importance of Core Values (00:43:31)

11. Empowering Employees to Grow (00:53:04)

12. Finding Mental Fortitude and Maintaining Core Values Post-Acquisition (01:04:16)

13. Identity Crisis, Keeping the Numbers, Building a Business and Final Thoughts... (01:11:49)