Turned Away by Employers, Four Friends with Down Syndrome Built a Business That Now Employs Dozens

After hearing the word “no” again and again while searching for work, four friends from Buenos Aires decided they would stop waiting for someone else to create an opportunity for them.

In 2016, Mateo Kawaguchi, Leandro López Padros, Franco Noseda, and Mauricio Roldán, all of whom have Down syndrome, launched Los Perejiles, a pizza catering business born from determination, friendship, and a belief in their own potential.

What began as a small entrepreneurial venture to create jobs for themselves has since grown into an inspiring social enterprise. Today, Los Perejiles employs 23 additional people with Down syndrome, providing meaningful employment, financial independence, and an inclusive workplace where employees are valued for their skills and dedication.

The business has become more than a catering company—it has become a powerful example of what can happen when barriers are replaced with opportunity. For many of its employees, the job represents not only a source of income but also a chance to build confidence, develop professionally, and challenge long-standing stereotypes about people with disabilities in the workforce.

The founders created Los Perejiles after experiencing firsthand how difficult it could be to secure employment despite their willingness and ability to work. Rather than allowing repeated rejection to define their future, they transformed disappointment into action by building a business that would open doors for themselves and others.

Their success has inspired conversations about workplace inclusion and the importance of recognizing talent beyond assumptions or labels. It also serves as a reminder that businesses can thrive while creating positive social change.

The story of Los Perejiles demonstrates that opportunity can be created, not just offered. When determination meets support and inclusion, remarkable things can happen.

As the founders continue to expand their business, they are proving that talent exists everywhere—and sometimes all it takes is the courage to build the door when no one else opens one.