The Book

To build something meaningful, you need to do more than dream about it

You need to Lead from the Core

To build something meaningful, you need to do more than dream about it

You need to Lead from the Core

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"Lead from the Core documents the most important part of growing a company—the human part. Jay didn’t just grow a successful business, he continually experimented and evolved as a leader and grew a winning team that met real human needs. The lessons he offers from his journey are invaluable."

- Dave Ramsey, bestselling author and radio host


Jay Steinfeld, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and the founder and former CEO of Blinds.com, never planned to create the world’s largest e-commerce site for window coverings. But after overcoming a series of hardships that helped him define his core values—and rethink his entire definition of success—he emerged determined to never give up.


Told with humor and heart, Lead from the Core is an insightful roadmap to make your company a resounding success. Steinfeld shares how Blinds.com grew from a van to the industry-leading company it is today, offering prescriptive, easily adaptable methods for any entrepreneur to master, no matter where you are in your career.


These tiny incremental changes in behavior, when done consistently, begin to compound, like money compounds over time, amassing both prosperity and affecting a life of consequence.


With keen business sense and decades of boots-on-the-ground experience, Lead from the Core will accelerate your efforts to become a better leader while building a better company.


Read the first chapter of Lead from the Core now!

Jay's Core Values - The 4E's

Each person’s core values can be different, but they’re essential to guide your life and business. Jay Steinfeld put the beliefs that guided his actions into words which formed the foundation not only for his own life, but also for a company that disrupted an industry to become Blinds.com, a national brand of consequence.


Evolve Continuously

Change is business’s only constant and to evolve continuously means to be adaptable, making you less afraid of change. We should always be eager to learn new things, to evolve as people, and to help others do the same. To evolve is to get ahead, to stay relevant, to make sure you’re helping everyone around you, and to be attuned to your customers’ needs. 

Experiment Without Fear of Failure

In a culture of entrepreneurship, you cannot be afraid to fail. You’re still accountable for results, but the accountability is that you must explain what you’ve learned and embrace the initiative as an opportunity to improve continuously. 

Express Yourself

More than just encouraging individual expression by clothing or workspace decorations, to express yourself means to be yourself and bring your unique perspective to the table. As a leader, it’s about creating an environment where people can communicate honestly, without repercussion or holding back. It’s about generosity and clear communication.

Enjoy the Ride

People are more creative and inventive when they’re having fun and at ease. Pushing people too hard to perform will result in worse performance. Business is serious, but what you’re doing should still be fun. So enjoy the ride.

Order your copy today

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I love books that inspire audacious thinking and equip you with the toolset to execute on big ideas. Lead from the Core does both.

- Peter H. Diamandis, MD; Founder and Chairman of XPRIZE; Executive Founder of Singularity; bestselling author of Abundance, BOLD, and The Future Is Faster Than You Think

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Great advice, terrific story-telling, and very human!

- Frank Blake, former CEO of Home Depot and current Chairman of Delta Air Lines

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This is a deeply personal story about business and about life. Anyone hoping to lead a disruptive organization and do it with purpose, will find wisdom in Jay's book. It is excellent.

- Bill Oesterle, CEO and Co-Founder
Angie's List


  • Bringing humanity back into
    any business


  • How to start a business with
    little money and experience


  • Ways to avoid the early failure
    that plagues many businesses

  • Strategies to scale beyond
    the startup phase

  • Exactly how to communicate
    with boards and investors

  • Proven lessons to attract potential acquirers of your company


  • How to disrupt others before
    they disrupt you

Bonus Playbook Offer

Order the book from any retailer to immediately receive a free digital copy of the 4 Core Principles Playbook. In the playbook you'll find helpful exercises to guide your business and life.

Redeem Your Bonus

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An inspirational treatise on how the personal and philosophical interact with the day-to-day tactics of creating and growing a business. I highly recommend this book if you’re interested in winning through people.

- Luis L. Martins, Professor and Herb Kelleher Chair in Entrepreneurship at The University of Texas at Austin

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Jay’s thoughtful approach will resonate with business leaders looking for a book that clearly articulates the challenges and opportunities of starting a business and improving the operations of an existing one, regardless of its size or maturity.

- George W. Tamke, former CEO and Chairman of The Hertz Corporation,
Kinko’s, and Culligan

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This book's guidance on maximizing stakeholder relationships is required reading for any startup founder thinking about raising growth capital. Jay's specific advice on soliciting and leveraging advice from board members should be used by entrepreneurs both young and old!

- Blair Garrou, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Mercury Fund

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