Ask entrepreneur Ann Endsley her definition of achieving the American Dream, and you’ll hear an answer that might surprise you.
“I don’t think it has to do with work or jobs,” she said. “To me, the American Dream is having inner peace despite your struggles, and I think that comes through fulfilling work, helping others and not just focusing on yourself.
“When you have inner peace, when you can look in the mirror and feel good about yourself, to me that’s the dream. It’s when you can walk through your day knowing that you did something to help others and that you made the world a better place.”
For more than three decades, Endsley has worked tirelessly doing just that: striving to make the world a better place through both mindful entrepreneurship and intentional philanthropy. To shine a light on the impact of her work, Stanislaus State and the College of Business Administration, as part of the Warrior Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program and in partnership with the Porges Family Foundation, have selected her as the 2024 Champion of the American Dream honoree.
Endsley will talk about her journey as a businessperson and engaged community member during a fireside chat honoring her achievements during the University’s annual Champions of the American Dream event on Wednesday, May 1, in Main Dining.
The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. The discussion will be moderated by 2022 honoree Marian Kaanon, president and chief executive officer of the Stanislaus Community Foundation.
Champions of the American Dream recognizes individuals in the Central Valley who have distinguished themselves by their professional success and have made exceptional contributions to communities in the Central Valley.
“It’s very humbling to be recognized for doing something positive in the community,” Endsley said.
As far as her being selected as this year’s Champion, she doesn’t always see herself in that light.
“Some days, we are champions. But there are many days when we don’t feel that way. We’re just out there trying to make the right decision and do the best we can with every challenge, every win and every loss.”
This year, a new component has been added to Champions of the American Dream, one that recognizes a student. Bradon Hoover, a third-year art major, is the inaugural Emerging Student honoree. Hoover is vice president and treasurer of Stan State’s Art Club and chief marketing officer for the Warrior Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group student organization. Hoover is using the experience he gained from launching his high school’s maker space, and from hands-on experiences in Stan State’s Fab Lab, to start a similar venture in the Turlock area.
In addition to recognizing the entrepreneurial and community spirit of the honorees, the Champions of the American Dream event offers students and community members an opportunity to interact with regional business leaders who serve as dynamic role models while giving back.
Endsley has built a multifaceted career and an extensive and diverse business portfolio over three decades. In the 1980s, she founded Integrated Syndication Systems, Inc., offering consulting in real estate syndication. She expanded into agriculture in 2007 with Four Seasons Farms in Modesto, followed by establishing Greens Market in 2010, a specialty food market highlighting local, organic produce. In 2019, she further diversified by opening Gather, an event venue with a large demonstration kitchen for various educational programs for adults and children.
She will share her insights, inspiration and advice with students and community members in attendance. Reflecting on the core values guiding her, she is excited to share her experiences and nuggets of wisdom with attendees.
“I think the American Dream is to be able to have the freedom to make our best decisions and do our best work each day. It also means giving oneself grace, so when you fall, you get up and keep going. That’s really the American Dream, because let’s face it, not every day is a blue-ribbon day.”
She also has a plethora of good advice to share, including not giving up when things get tough.
“There’s always a way,” she said. “If you hit a brick wall, you might have to climb over it. You might have to get a ladder to get over it; you might have to run around it or break through it. Don’t let anything stop you from pursuing it, no matter how daunting or hopeless it seems. Everyone who has achieved success just kept running, just kept going.”
