Detroit City Wire

Frank Venegas Jr., a Detroit native and grandson of Mexican immigrants, has been recognized as a Hispanic Heritage Month Game Changers honoree. In 1979, Venegas won a raffle for a brand-new Cadillac. Instead of keeping the car, he sold it to start his first business, The Ideal Group, Inc.

“It was the coolest car in the world,” Venegas Jr. said. “I could have had a lot of fun driving around, but I kept it nine days and I sold it. I sold it for $12,000 and a used car. I had been saving some money, so I put the car money together with what I had saved and I started The Ideal Group.”

Forty-five years later, The Ideal Group consists of seven nationally recognized companies with annual revenues nearing $605 million and employing about 550 people. Venegas Jr.’s brother Loren, daughter Linzie, and son Jesse are part of the leadership team as owners. The companies cater to needs in construction, facilities management, manufacturing, indirect material management, and surplus sales.

Venegas Jr. is the second 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month honoree in the Game Changers series that highlights community members making significant impacts in metro Detroit. Comerica Bank partners with the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers to recognize one Game Changers honoree per week during select months throughout the year with a $1,000 grant dedicated to their chosen charity.

“Frank Venegas Jr. embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship and community leadership,” said Tiffany Harrington, VP of Corporate Partnership Activations for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “Through the success of The Ideal Group and his unwavering dedication to southwest Detroit, Frank has created lasting opportunities for education, sustainability and youth development. His commitment to giving back and lifting others up is truly inspiring, and we are honored to recognize him as a Game Changers honoree during Hispanic Heritage Month.”

The Ideal Group operates on four fundamental pillars: education, environmental sustainability, community sustainability, and youth programs—core values that Venegas Jr. implements in his life.

“I usually close any speech I make by asking those in the room if they have mentors they can thank for help with their success; they always do,” Venegas Jr. said. “Then I ask if they currently mentor themselves; they often don’t. That’s a problem. We have to focus on our youth and encourage them to be the ones to take over for us.”

Venegas Jr., who received Mexico’s highest award given to foreign citizens—the Ohtli Award—said this recognition means much to him and his community.

“There is a lot of recognition that comes with the Tigers organization especially within the southwest Detroit community,” Venegas Jr said. “My message and the message of The Ideal Group can be amplified on this stage; if someone recognizes our work because of something they saw with the Tigers—it’s great.”

To learn more about The Ideal Group visit their website.