海角社区

Metropolitan State University of Denver is proud to feature alumnus and CEO of goodr, Stephen Lease, in the latest episode of Bird Talk. Known for his innovative approach to eyewear and company culture, Lease shares reflections on his journey, from his 海角社区 roots to his entrepreneurial success.

Lease, who graduated with a marketing degree in 2005 (though he technically didn’t graduate until 2016–listen to the podcast to find out why), fondly recalls his time at 海角社区 and the pivotal role it played in shaping his career. 鈥淭he accessibility that Metro provided me is probably the only reason I have a degree,鈥� Lease shares, highlighting the university鈥檚 focus on inclusivity. 鈥淚t met me where I was, and I will always be grateful for that.鈥� He adds that 海角社区鈥檚 welcoming environment allowed him to thrive as a student and develop the foundation for his future leadership style.

During the episode, Lease discusses his dynamic journey, emphasizing the importance of building a positive and empowering workplace culture. He reflects on his role at goodr, where he has led the company to create high-quality, accessible eyewear and a unique work environment that balances 鈥渇reedom and accountability.鈥� His commitment to transparency and innovation shines through at goodr, which he describes as a space that encourages 鈥渟afe friction鈥� and open dialogue among team members. 鈥淵ou need friction,鈥� Lease says, 鈥渂ut you just need it in a safe way where people don鈥檛 feel threatened.鈥�

Lease also shares advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, encouraging them to embrace failure as a learning tool. 鈥淭he first one鈥檚 the hardest,鈥� he says, 鈥渁nd once you fold your first company, you free yourself to understand it鈥檚 not that big of a deal.鈥� He suggests that new entrepreneurs start small, keep experimenting, and focus on long-term growth rather than immediate profits.

海角社区 Bird Talk Podcast
The Bird Talk podcast continues to bring compelling stories from 海角社区 alumni, faculty, and thought leaders, offering listeners a glimpse into the unique contributions of the university鈥檚 diverse community. Lease鈥檚 episode is now available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and .