For Immediate Release

Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing and PR Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: February 11, 2025

Mendez carving path as local entrepreneur (with video)

Fennimore -

Edgar Mendez earned a degree in Graphic and Web Design in 2018 from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. Since then, he has been motivated to foster his entrepreneurial spirit. He currently owns and operates four business. They include AMB AMBITION, an athleisure, golf, and custom apparel company; Vendeezy Vending, a tri-state area vending company; Trail Birds, a bar in Darlington, Wisconsin; and Ambition Endeavors, a holding company to help manage his operations. Also, he recently joined the Galena Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

“At Southwest Tech I learned how to talk to people, how to network, and overall, how to be a confident person,” said Mendez. “The confidence of being able to say I was in different leadership roles helped me gain that confidence that I needed, as well as the technical skills. There are so many things I took away from Southwest Tech that has helped me get to where I am now.”

Mendez graduated from Darlington High School in 2015. His family moved there from DeKalb, Illinois, when he was seven years old. His experiences in Darlington, “were definitively interesting, especially being one of the few Hispanics in the town,” he said. “It was something to get adjusted to, but growing up it was a really great community. I definitely got to experience living out in the country. It was really great.”

After graduating high school, Mendez joined the Army National Guard. He served for eight years, earning the rank of sergeant. Following his initial two-year training assignment, he enrolled in Southwest Tech’s Graphic and Web Design program. “At that time, I didn’t know if college was the right fit for me,” he said, explaining his cousin, who was also his roommate, was attending the college at the time. “I realized that I could potentially go to college. I got accepted and started that journey.”

“I actually really, really enjoyed Southwest Tech when I was going to college,” added Mendez. “Overall, it was a great experience. I love the faculty and staff there, just working in the Marketing Department, getting to meet everybody, networking and those relationships have still lasted to this day.”

While at Southwest Tech, Mendez was a student ambassador, was the student senate vice president, was president for GIG (Graphic Innovations Group), and is currently an alumni ambassador. He also worked in the Marketing Department at the college. “Every day was something new,” he said. “Anytime we had something with student ambassadorship, those were just great times because you got to meet the new generation coming in.”

In addition to the leadership opportunities at Southwest Tech, Mendez appreciated the financial value of the college. “I actually went out of there with zero debt,” he said. “The values and the skills that I learned from there, that’s definitely priceless.”

After graduating from college, Mendez worked as a graphic designer at the Buzz Creative Group in La Motte, Iowa. After gaining five years of experience there, he embarked on his entrepreneurship path. “I worked with various clients and celebrities on projects,” he said. “At the time, it was my dream job.”

As for advice for others looking to go to college or getting into a graphic design career, participation is key, according to Mendez. “I may be biased, but I loved my time at Southwest Tech,” he said. “I always recommend people to, if they are looking for a four-year university, to at least give Southwest Tech the two years and then go to a university. But, I would definitely recommend going to Southwest Tech to get your associate degree and learning the technical skills. And, get involved in as many things as you can. Become a student ambassador, join student senate, get into different organizations within the college. That’s what I would recommend.”

As for the future, Mendez is looking to make a greater impact. “I hope to one day be a big contributor to the community and help the economy,” he said.

• Learn about the Graphic and Web Design program.

| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, is one of 16 institutions that comprise the Wisconsin Technical College System. The college was recently named a top 10 finalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Southwest Tech offers more than 60 programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Courses are offered on campus, online, HyFlex and in a blended format. The college provides apprenticeship, certificate, technical diploma, and associate degree programs that respond to district workforce needs and prepare student for family-sustaining jobs and career advancement. |