From Student to Social Entrepreneur: Laura Elena Salgado Perez (BSBA, 2021)
“Education has no age limit—and with effort and passion, dreams can become reality.”
That belief guided Laura Elena Salgado Perez, a 2021 graduate of CSUMB’s College of Business, on a remarkable journey from the heart of Baja California, Mexico, to becoming the CEO and founder of KAFENS Café de Olla—a socially conscious coffee brand making a difference in agricultural communities.
A Journey of Determination and Purpose
Born on Cedros Island, located in the Pacific Ocean, off the western coast of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, Laura is a proud mother of two and grandmother of two. She came to the United States at age 40, determined to build a better life for her family. Just two years later, she made a bold decision—to go back to school. “I wanted to be an example for my children,” she shared. “I wanted them to see that it’s never too late to learn, to grow, or to follow your dreams.”
Her path led her from Hartnell Community College to CSUMB, where she earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. Financial accessibility, proximity to Salinas, and CSUMB’s strong reputation drew her in, but what she found was something even more valuable: opportunity, belonging, and community.