Andrew Goldermann ’25 started a lawn care company as a sophomore in high school. By the time he was 18 years old, he had grown the company to employ four people. He didn’t need college, but he saw the value, specifically the value of a St. Ambrose education.
“It's almost like having a group of business advisors or business consultants right at your fingertips that you have access to 24/7 to ask any questions,” Goldermann said.
That access and integrative learning kept him from dropping out when his business began to take off during his first year at St. Ambrose. Rather than quitting, he fast-tracked his degree, graduating in three years with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Sales, and seized every opportunity to learn from his business professors.
“Tony Morales, Tom Hosmanek, and John Byrne are by far the best mentors I’ve ever had in my entire life,” Goldermann said. “I have learned more about business from those three people than I could from any amount of people in the Quad Cities community.”
Goldermann perfected his sales skills during classes through role-playing scenarios, which included industry professionals. He learned how to work through buyer objections, how to frame a pitch, and the psychology behind business. He tested those newfound skills through sales competitions, where he won national awards.
“I didn't know how to sell before I got to college. I wasn't good at it,” Goldermann reflected. “I could not have sold the jobs I'm doing today without going to these classes and learning what I have learned, hands down. The way the professors articulate their thoughts, and the way they come across and show students how to do these things is pretty incredible.”
The business sales major builds students’ skills utilizing AI robots called RNMKRS before bringing in companies for live role-play scenarios. Goldermann said this is something unique to St. Ambrose.
“I can speak on this confidently that they do not do this at other universities for sales programs – having speakers come in, having outside people from different industries come in and do role-plays with students. It's extremely beneficial, and that's where a lot of my learning and growth has come from.”
While at St. Ambrose, Goldermann not only grew his lawn care business but also started a second business in construction. His drive, he said, stems from a fear of failure. He wanted a plan for his future and flexibility.
“I wanted to set this up so when I got out of college, it was just going,” Goldermann reflected. “I know that the average business student is going to get out and they're going to want to start a business. But when they graduate college, all of a sudden, life happens – marriage, kids. Now, they just want security.”
This mindset has given Goldermann the flexibility to pursue any opportunity that interests him. He already owns two businesses and is looking forward to investing in and growing additional companies. None of this, he said, would have been possible without his St. Ambrose education.
“Having the one-on-one experiences has really allowed me to excel and become the person I want to be,” Goldermann said.
Ignite your passion for business and develop the skills to open your own company with a BBA from St. Ambrose University.
