After facing repeated rejection in the traditional job market, four Down syndrome entrepreneurs in Buenos Aires decided to create opportunities for themselves. Instead of waiting for someone to hire them, they built a business of their own.
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Mateo Kawaguchi, Leandro López Padros, Franco Noseda and Mauricio Rolden joined forces to launch Los Perejiles, a mobile pizza-catering business in Argentina.
A Business Built on Opportunity
The four friends wanted to create more than a pizza business. They wanted to build a workplace where people with Down syndrome could find employment, independence and purpose.
Their business model was simple. Customers ordered pizzas, and the team travelled to private parties and corporate events. They prepared fresh dough and baked artisanal pizzas at the location.
The idea quickly gained attention. Since launching in July, the company had organised 67 catering events across Buenos Aires and nearby San Isidro.
Turning Challenges Into Success
At the time, Argentina faced major employment challenges for people with disabilities. Around 75 percent of people with physical or intellectual disabilities did not have jobs, according to the report.
Los Perejiles aimed to challenge those barriers through entrepreneurship. The company also benefited from social media and growing international media attention.
The name Los Perejiles, meaning “The Parsleys,” was chosen deliberately. In Spanish, the word can also be used as a mocking insult. The founders turned that negative meaning into a symbol of confidence and ambition.
Growing Beyond Four Friends
The Down syndrome entrepreneurs started with a small team and limited resources. They did not have their own kitchen. Instead, they met at López Padros’ home every Wednesday to prepare pizza dough.
In August, the company hired four additional employees with Down syndrome. Within its first year, the business grew into a larger team and created more employment opportunities.
The founders also had bigger plans. They hoped to rent their own kitchen and eventually open a restaurant.
Their journey showed that rejection does not have to define someone’s future. When traditional workplaces closed their doors, these friends created their own opportunity — one pizza at a time.
