Turning Trash Into Opportunity
On this episode of the Difference Makers podcast, host Dr. Jim Hoven sits down with Jesse Steed, founder of Trash Panda, a Colorado company changing the disc golf industry by manufacturing discs made entirely from recycled plastic. What began as an experiment in a garage has grown into an internationally recognized brand that has recycled more than 100,000 pounds of plastic while proving sustainability and high performance can go hand in hand.
Throughout the conversation, Steed shares the unlikely journey of teaching himself manufacturing from scratch, why being “naive enough to try” helped him succeed and how building a business around purpose has shaped every decision. Beyond disc golf, the discussion explores entrepreneurship, company culture, continuous learning and creating meaningful work that benefits both employees and customers.
Key Insights
- Purpose creates lasting businesses: Building around a meaningful mission keeps people motivated beyond profits.
- Learning never stops: Successful entrepreneurs constantly seek new knowledge and apply it.
- Innovation requires persistence: Big breakthroughs often come from solving difficult problems others avoid.
- People drive every business: Great companies are built by investing in employees and culture.
- Sustainability can inspire innovation: Environmental challenges can become opportunities for better products.
- Small beginnings can create global impact: A garage experiment grew into a company serving customers in more than 30 countries.
- Disc golf is for everyone: Its affordability, accessibility and connection to nature make it one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
