Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny Mendoza.
Hi Danny, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
What started as a simple referral from my college barber, telling me to check out this suit shop called Soto & Co., flourished into a partnership that further grew a small business and established itself as a staple in suiting. After a single meeting and diving right into the mix, a very strong partnership flourished quickly after. While fortune contributed as equally as fate did with an already credible history through the likes of GQ, Fox Sports, and more, I knew I could add value. The sum of nearly a decade of experience in menswear and having an opportunity to be mentored by Rick Soto, the owner and founder of Soto & Co, brought life to the dream and became an opportunity for us to become a part of the San Antonio community. We knew we wanted to service San Antonio and the greater areas surrounding the cities we love. By the leadership of Rick and through the growing pains of a small business, we understood that this market deserves the ability to get world class custom garments, in a neighborhood not too far from them.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road between Idea and Execution is an interesting one where ours certainly had twists and turns. From the very first trip in the truck, to the buildout, to the vinyl wrap, to host site changes, the hurdles were inevitable. But like any good story, it adds character. No story is complete without the good character. Today we still find hurdles when pursuing our idea of what we want to do in San Antonio. Growing into and training a small but solid team to conduct the business, servicing a larger volume of clients year to year, and figuring out what the next steps should be are no foreign concepts. Expecting a sprint and finding ourselves in a marathon just meant we had to change our shoes, re-lace, replace, and keep going.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Starting as the operations coordinator, to then being the lead stylist and shop manager, to now running the new market in San Antonio, the title changed but the goal never has. My objective and what I consider to specialize in is making clothing that carries value past its composition and the price tag associated with it. People that know me, know very well how I romanticize clothing. Custom garments being the most intentional way to accomplish that has given me a route to achieve this on a daily basis. I facilitate ideas and creativity to make these one of one pieces, truly one of one. What sets me apart from part from others is that every single time one of my clients tries on their finished suits, goosebumps fill my arms. There is a genuine unmatched excitement and love towards what was created for the clients’ weddings, events, galas, and more. That plus world class fabrics and top notch construction helps also.
I’m certainly most proud of the reputation I’ve been able to have with my clients. I’m confident they know my heart is poured into every piece in a collaborative, intentional way. They know I have their best interest in mind at all times.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
The feeling I had when I saw my name on my middle school basketball team’s roster after the final cut day was a levitating moment. The reception I got from my family after was so gratifying. It was the first time I got out of my comfort zone to deviate from football, the sport I grew up playing all my life, and try the sport I loved most in basketball. Later that day my dad took me to the store to get a new pair of basketball shoes.
Contact Info:
- Website: sotoandco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sotoandcosatx?igsh=a2tvODFiYmRndzZi&utm_source=qr
