We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacob Wisdom and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacob, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I was born in 1989; in 1990 my dad, uncle and grandpa started desert racing. As it turns out they were pretty good at it, so they have remained involved to this day. As a consequence my life became organized around motorsports. At age 7 my family bought me a Honda ATC (3 wheel ATV) which was an absolute death trap and resulted in several hard falls, but it taught me all sorts of lessons, many about the reality that if I chose to ride off alone and went down, it’s on me to do what it takes to get the bike up/running again and back home because someone coming along to help was not a foregone conclusion. Ultimately I found that I am absolutely capable of getting myself back to safety.

Having this simple foundation of confidence led me to make all sorts questionable choices in my 20’s. In 2013, rather than attend my college graduation I instead was in Central America on a multi-month solo backpacking trip. The following year in 2014 I went on to buy a car in London for $750 and took it on an 18,000 mile round trip rally to Asia, traversing several countries including Russia, Ukraine and Mongolia.

I came home from that trip with the dream of sailing around the world. Unfortunately I had never sailed in my life, so I took a sailing 101 course and purchased a cheap sailboat which I outfitted until setting off in 2017. In 2018 and after months of harrowing experiences, I chose to return home temporarily after making landfall in French Polynesia to care for my dying mother.

It was between the time I had returned home and left again that my partner and I started Endose, doing so with a $1000 investment from each of us. We were aware that there would be logistical difficulties when I set sail again, but we decided to see where it would take us anyway, c’est la vie.

In September 2019, Endose was formed. Soon after in December 2019 my mom passed, clearing me to continue my circumnavigation. However in January 2020, with Covid shutting down the world and Endose gaining traction, the decision became clear: scrap the circumnavigation and focus on establishing the business and a life on land.

Jump to 2024 and I could not imagine a more complete life for myself. Endose has grown to include 15 employees and 10,000 square feet of space. I met the love of my life Amanda, with whom I am engaged to marry in June of this year. Wisdom Racing/Endose Motorsports had a wildly successful 2023, getting on the podium eight times with four wins and two championships.

So to sum up my thoughts on the impact of risk-taking to my life/career: it would be difficult to understand either without it. We talk about ‘serial entrepreneurs’ but I would wager most could just as easily be described as ‘serial risk-takers’. For myself, taking significant risks is the only path I have ever known that leads to me achieving my defined goals.

What should our readers know about your business?
Endose was conceived as a one-stop-shop for businesses interested in producing/selling gummies. We take companies through every step: mold design/production, formulation, ingredient acquisition, nutritional data and can even connect with manufacturers. We have worked with companies of all shapes and sizes including Kellogg’s, Crocs, Disney, Swarovski and OLLY.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Two nights at anchor in Catalina harbor, two nights resting in LA, two nights in the RV staying in Yosemite. LA dining to include Thai District in Long Beach and Jon & Vinnie’s. LA attractions to include LACMA and the Griffith Observatory, Plans otherwise fluid but will likely include driving past Malibu with the top down

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my mom for providing me a foundation of confidence from a young age. Her words of encouragement were often over the top in a way that only a mom can be, but they were absolutely foundational. I miss you

Shoutout to Amanda, my fiance. She is the reason to come home after the race on Saturday rather than staying an extra night, or to leave the office at 6pm rather than 11pm each day. She has given me a world outside of work and motorsports (i.e. a life).

Shoutout to Josh (my brother and best man) and Jessica (my sister). We’ve been through a lot and will go through a lot more. I’m glad to have you both through it all.

Shoutout to my dad, uncle and grandpa for shepherding me through the hundreds of racing experiences which familiarized me with the reality of risk-taking. I have been lost, broken, stuck and crashed in some of the most remote and treacherous conditions imaginable. The lesson is often: no one knows where you are and no one is coming to help…here’s a jack, Leatherman and first aid kit, figure it out. Also it’s a race so hurry the hell up.

Shoutout to my business partner Kendall Tardy who I refer to as the Steve Jobs of our duo. Kendall operates at an extraordinary level on her subjects of specialty. Without Kendall there would be no Endose. She is exceptionally talented and I could not do most of what she does.

Shoutout to all my groomsmen: Ricky, Gabe, Nick, Noel, Paul, Mauricio, Kyle, Giancarlo. Most of you I’ve been friends with since elementary school and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Our group has changed through the years but you’re my ride or die. Having the security of stable friendships has freed up my resources to focus on other matters.

Shoutout to California’s public college system broadly and more specifically the University of California San Diego, Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College. I spent most of my time studying Psychology with Philosophy sprinkled throughout. There were multiple classes at all three colleges which fundamentally changed my way of thinking about the world and how to deal with it.

Website: endosemolds.com

Instagram: jacobtwisdom

Image Credits
SCORE International JT Media

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