Stories of Leadership: Pura Vida Bracelets

Tell us the highlights of your professional career. What are your proudest achievements?

Being on the Forbes 30 under 30 list and also being able to employ 75 artisans in Costa Rica.

We've also been able to give more than $500,000  to charities since we started.  

What is your favorite college memory?

Being in our fraternities, meeting new people and making new friends.

Who was your favorite professor/what was your favorite class?

Steven Osinski and his senior-level marketing class.  We still have dinner with him on a regular basis and he has become a mentor to us.  

If you were to give current SDSU students some advice, what would you say?

Goodman:
If you have an idea go for it despite what people say.

Thall:
Find someone doing what you want to do — it will save you time by learning from people that are ahead of you. Find a business you would be happy owning.

What's your favorite book?

Goodman:
"The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell. We read it right when we were starting out and it outlines how to create a product or idea that will create its own viral momentum.

Thall:
I'm also reading "Contagious" by Jonah Berger and "Growth Hacker Marketing" by Ryan Holiday.  

What quality do you value most in friends and colleagues?

Honesty, hard work, advice and loyalty.

What is your passion?

Goodman: Building something. Finding new ways to make Pura Vida more profitable and reach more people.

Thall: Pura Vida.

If you won the lottery, what would you do with your winnings?

Goodman: We don't want to win the lottery because then people may just want to be your friend for your money.

Thall: But if I did, I would buy a house I am comfortable in and give the rest to family.

Anything else you'd like to add?

We're coming out with some new styles if want to check our website!