By: Ayeshah Somani
For years, Cory Blumenfeld chased a dream that wasn’t his own. “I thought I wanted to be a doctor growing up. For 20-something years of my life, that’s all I knew,” he recalls. But as the pressures of societal expectations mounted, a quiet realization began to stir: his true calling might lie far beyond the clinic. What followed was a turbulent yet transformative journey marked by failures, pivots, and a relentless commitment to understanding himself—a journey that would help him redefine not only his career but his approach to life and leadership.
In his final year of university, Cory found himself in a class for science students interested in entrepreneurship. It was there that a pivotal moment occurred. His professor asked, “Do you really need to be a doctor to make an impact?” The question stayed with him, challenging his beliefs about success and purpose. The answer became clear: making an impact didn’t necessarily require credentials—just passion and grit.
This approach shaped his first venture, launching a driveway repair company with no prior experience. It was a risky move, but it marked the beginning of his path to self-discovery. His second business, CoHealth, a patient education app, raised six figures and was eventually acquired. Always seeking new challenges, he then launched Caribou, a health planning software for financial planners. Caribou raised over $3M and is currently used by financial advisors across the US. Cory’s journey illustrates continuous growth, learning, and the willingness to adapt from each experience.
To Cory, the most challenging yet crucial move in the face of failure or adversity is to fully commit. It’s about continuing to push forward without knowing whether you’ll succeed, if anyone will recognize your effort, or if you’ll ever receive credit. That’s where true greatness can start. Expecting instant results often kills dreams, but it’s the slow grind that can lead to success.
Now, Cory is on a mission to guide new and aspiring entrepreneurs by offering strategic business and leadership advice. Drawing on his extensive experience as an entrepreneur, Cory helps leaders refine their vision, develop effective business strategies, and build authentic leadership skills. Through personalized consultations and valuable connections, he supports entrepreneurs in navigating the challenges of growing their businesses, focusing on sustainable success and impactful leadership.
The Secret Weapon for Leadership
For years, Cory struggled to step into leadership fully. “For 33 years, I wasn’t ready,” he admits. “I always wanted to be a leader, but kept taking the backseat. And when you try to lead from the backseat, you’re just a backseat driver.”
Leadership, at its core, begins with knowing yourself. A fundamental truth for aspiring entrepreneurs: self-awareness isn’t a skill you acquire overnight—it’s a practice you cultivate daily through consistent mindfulness.
Early in his career, he faced doubts fueled by a report on his learning disabilities, which highlighted his challenges in communication. “I looked at it and thought, what am I good at?” Cory recalls. Rather than ruminating on the failures and succumbing to self-doubt, he leaned into mindfulness to build resilience. “It wasn’t just about clearing my head,” he says. “It was about reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, and finding clarity in small moments.” These reflections helped Cory uncover his passion for writing, which became both a personal outlet and a professional asset.
“I write every day, and it’s not about making money or gaining followers. It’s about finding my voice and expressing myself,” he says. What started as a way to process his thoughts evolved into a practice that supported his confidence and connected him with others.
Mindfulness can be a strategic tool that may transform the way you approach business. Mindfulness has the potential to enable better decision-making and more effective leadership by fostering awareness of your strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. It’s about stepping back from the noise of daily pressures and gaining clarity on what truly matters, both in the short and long term.
Mindfulness can encourage you to confront fears and reframe them as opportunities for growth. For Cory, this meant tackling his initial discomfort with communication and turning it into a strength. This commitment to self-expression helped refine his communication skills and strengthened his ability to connect authentically with his audience and team—and it all started from this practice:
- Kick off your day with gratitude. Start your morning by listing three things you’re grateful for before you even get out of bed.
- Surround yourself with good vibes only. Curate your environment by choosing positive, uplifting people, content, and energy sources.
- Focus on finding solutions, not dwelling on problems. When faced with an obstacle, ask yourself, “What’s the next step to fix this?” instead of getting stuck in the issue.
- Move your body, clear your head. Integrate a 15-minute walk, stretch, or workout into your daily routine to refresh your mind and body.
- Set intentions, not just tasks. Before diving into your to-do list, set one intentional goal for the day that could push you closer to your bigger vision.
- Cut out the energy vampires. Identify the people or activities that drain you and actively limit your time with them.
- Turn challenges into growth fuel. When a challenge arises, reframe it as an opportunity to learn something new or level up.
When the Moment Chooses You
Cory’s most profound lesson is about the concept of readiness. Too often, people wait for the “perfect” moment to take action—when they feel fully prepared, skilled, or confident. But, as Cory points out, readiness isn’t a fixed state. It’s a mindset.
“The thing about being ready is you can’t force it. It’s different for everyone, but when it’s your time, you’ll likely know,” he says. Readiness isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about committing to the journey despite uncertainty. Cory emphasizes that true readiness often comes from alignment—when your goals match your values, and you’re prepared to embrace both the challenges and the growth that come with them.
The key to determining if you’re truly ready is knowing yourself well enough to confidently say that you are, without significant doubt. You may struggle to be ready if you don’t have a deep understanding of yourself.
Aspiring leaders should ask themselves: Are my goals aligned with my passions? Am I willing to commit to this journey, even when it gets hard? If the answer is yes, then it might be time to act. If not, it’s okay to wait and continue exploring what feels right.
Living and Leading on Your Terms
Ultimately, Cory’s approach to mindfulness and readiness underscores the importance of living in alignment with your values. Leadership isn’t about chasing external validation or ticking off achievements—it’s about creating a life that feels meaningful and authentic to you. As Cory puts it, “Find your fun. If it’s not enjoyable, it’s hard to make it authentic.”
What’s Next
For aspiring leaders, Cory’s story offers a valuable message: self-awareness and mindfulness are not just tools for personal growth—they can serve as the foundation of authentic and impactful leadership. As Cory’s path demonstrates, leadership begins not with a title or a role but with a commitment to understanding and leading yourself first.
Follow Cory on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X for entrepreneurial advice and insights on how to bring mindfulness, self-awareness, communication, and vulnerability into your leadership approach.
Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared in this article reflect the personal journey and opinions of Cory Blumenfeld. They are intended for informational and inspirational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Readers are encouraged to evaluate their own circumstances and consult with relevant professionals before making any business or personal decisions.
Published by Jeremy S.
