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From Selling His Console to Leading at VML Guatemala: The Inspiring Story of Ashby Guardado
A native of San Marcos, Ashby Guardado demonstrates how effort, discipline, and curiosity can transform a life story into a professional career in technology.
The Value of Hard Work and the First Encounter with Technology
Ashby grew up in a household led by his mother, being the youngest of six siblings. After his parents' separation, his mother and older siblings assumed the financial responsibility of the household.
"My three older brothers worked for years as bakers. It's a very demanding trade, requiring discipline and a lot of effort, and unfortunately, it was poorly paid where we lived," he recalls.
At 15, he understood that he also needed to contribute, but his options were limited: work in the family bakery or help at his brother-in-law's business, so he decided to do both. During vacations, he worked at the bakery, and on weekends, he helped at an internet cafe, all without neglecting his studies, convinced that education would be key to forging his path.
It was precisely at that internet cafe where he discovered his interest in technology. Unlike the physical labor at the bakery, he found a space where learning was constant and access to information was unlimited. Although the income was low, that environment allowed him to explore networks, video games, design, and programming. "Learning something new every day gave me great satisfaction and became very important when thinking about my future," he commented.
A Risky Bet Driven by Curiosity
Upon finishing high school, he knew clearly that he wanted to dedicate himself to technology. He also understood that if he stayed in San Marcos, his opportunities would be limited. With that conviction, between the ages of 19 and 20, he made the decision to move to Guatemala City.
He arrived without contacts and with very limited resources. To support himself in his first days, he sold one of his most prized possessions: his PlayStation 2. That money allowed him to survive while applying to a call center, where the process included a month of unpaid training—a risk that almost left him without resources, but ultimately secured him the job.
Although this job helped him cover his expenses, it kept him far from his goal of becoming a programmer. Driven by his curiosity, he self-taught and developed a basic internal chat to communicate with his colleagues. This initiative caught the company's attention, which decided to transfer him to the development area, where he worked and learned for five years.
Reaching the "Major Leagues"
In search of new challenges, Ashby applied to VML Guatemala. From the beginning, he was aware that he still had much to learn. "When they interviewed me, they told me: 'These are the major leagues.' I understood immediately. I entered with fear, but with a strong desire to learn and contribute," he remembers.
He joined as a Back-End developer but quickly expanded his experience to Front-End and databases. For more than 4 years, he has held the role of technical lead, leading a multidisciplinary team.
"As a technical leader, Ashby excels at effectively managing a diverse team in terms of roles and ages, relying heavily on his soft skills. His emotional intelligence and empathy facilitate communication both with his colleagues and clients, ensuring that instructions and priorities are clearly understood. This professional maturity, uncommon for his age, has been key to successfully leading highly relevant projects for VML Guatemala," emphasized Roger Kühn, Sr. project manager at VML Guatemala.
Within the company, one of the most valuable lessons has been teamwork and the culture of sharing knowledge. "I learned about humility. I understood that there is always something new to learn and that knowledge grows when shared," he highlights.
A Message from Experience
In the context of Labor Month, Ashby's story reflects how access to opportunities, constant learning, and determination can change the course of a life.
Today, he attributes his achievements to the trust others placed in him, the support of his wife, and the values instilled by his mother.
His journey, which began amidst bakery ovens and internet cafe computers in San Marcos, leaves a clear message for young Guatemalans:
"Try to learn something new every day. Today there are more tools for self-learning. Be disciplined and consistent; that effort always yields results."
