Meet James Gann | Real estate investor and non-profit CEO and founder

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

Hi James, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my first real estate business in 2010 with the intention to be able to support me and my family so that I could be in full time ministry and not require a paycheck from the church. I had my degree in architecture so I loved designing new things or taking something that was dated and reimagining it, but I also loved the opportunity to evaluate and invest in things that had incredible, though possibly hidden, future value.

The heart behind the non-profit, Manna Collective, was to encourage, strengthen and resource pastors and church planters. Around the same time I started the business in 2010 I had planted a church as well. That church didn’t make it, as we folded in 2012. My hope was to one day plant and pastor again. Fast forward to 2016 as the business was flourishing I sensed God asking me to lay down my dreams of pastoring and planting to support others with those dreams. That’s how Manna came about, and since then we have given grants and sizable gifts to over 70 small or seedling churches in Southern California that are doing impactful, charitable work in their communities.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Since I’m both in the for-profit and non-profit world my answer will span both, and I very much love doing both.

Starting with the non-profit, I was on staff at the Dream Center in LA years ago. I started as a volunteer and eventually quit my architecture job to pursue full time ministry. It wasn’t easy in that I was making a little more than half what I had been earning before, but I was so fulfilled by the work I got to do there. We did all kinds of work serving the inner city and homeless communities. In particular, I would go every week to the Huntington Hotel on 7th and Main in downtown LA. The people living there were one step from homelessness essentially. We would bring food and supplies every week, taking them on trips to various places, bringing them to church… in many ways living life with them. Celebrating B-days, taking their kids out to fun stuff. This was so impactful to me and really broke my heart for this community that would stay with me to this day.

When I eventually started the Manna Collective this experience with the homeless community very much flavored the lens through which we bless these churches. It’s not just giving them monetary support, but it’s supporting those churches that are actively blessing those in need within their communities.

From a professional and ministry side, I’ve always worked hard, a first generation college grad. I always wanted to be the best at whatever I did, sometimes even at the cost of my own health and well-being. Starting my business, that philosophy helped us thrive no doubt. After learning the ropes for the first couple of years, we developed a niche in smaller multi unit residential development that saw us go from doing about 4 projects per year to about 20 yearly. In ministry, what I oversaw grew exponentially over just a few years.

But the cost on me took its toll. In 2019 I suffered a mental breakdown. I was diagnosed with a general anxiety disorder. I literally couldn’t function in my company and non profit work, I was afraid to be alone, would have long bouts of crying, insomnia, fear I would lose my wife and kids. It was the most painful thing I had ever experienced.

It didn’t just happen though. I had put myself in that position from years of unhealthy rhythms. I began to study the mind, anxiety and depression, what was happening to me.

I literally had to change my rhythms. I had to exercise and take care of myself. I had to find balance with work and life. Spending time outdoors was so important. In all of this God was so vital. This idea of someone greater than me that I could cast all of my concerns and burdens on. The church community He put around me that I could be transparent and vulnerable with, in which others came forward with similar struggles that would encourage and strengthen me. All these things helped me to grow in my approach to life.

With all these experiences, both professional and ministry, here are some of the things I’ve learned:

Look for value in things and people that others overlook.

Take some times to go slow and push against the busyness of life, walk slow, eat slow, drive slow… your mind will follow.

In western culture we are often too pain avoidant. Pain and suffering are a part of life and pivotal into who we are becoming. I wouldn’t trade the anxiety and depression struggles I’ve had because it’s grown me in so many ways.

Supporting the dreams of others is a dream in and of itself.

Let go of the need to control those around you and serve them with an open hand, it is so freeing and contagious to others.

God is at work even in the midst of pain and suffering and especially in the midst of pain and suffering.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In LA I love the farmers market part of the grove… especially the Brazilian food! (My wife is from Rio)

In OC, my wife and I have always loved Laguna Beach- we usually hit Adonis Mediterranean Grill.

Since we have three kids we have passes to Disneyland… love the pretzels and cheese!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Richard Silva who is my original business partner (and still one of my partners to this day). I had this idea to start a real estate investing/renovating business back in 2009. I met with a handful of friends in my living room to pitch the idea. Richard was one of those people. Afterward he approached me and said he wanted to partner with me to start this business, Rich being the benefactor. I’ll never forget what he said to me. “James, I like your idea, but more than that I want to invest in you because I believe in you and what you’re capable of.” That’s one of those moments in your life you never forget when someone invests in you with their pocketbook but even more so believes in you with their heart!

Website: mannasocal.com

Image Credits
I’ll have Charlie send some pics to you this week as the ones related to my non-profit and for-profit work are on his computer. I’m so sorry this has taken me so long to do. Thank you for your patience.