SESLOC Credit Union is proud to honor Efrain Salazar-Colores as a SESLOC Young Change Maker. Efrain earned the award in September 2025 for his commitment to helping Hispanic entrepreneurs launch their businesses with the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce.
The SESLOC Young Change Maker Award is given monthly to a young person or young professional under 40 doing significant work to benefit their community. Anyone can nominate a young person for the SESLOC Young Change Maker award on the Wild 106 website.
When it comes to college education, Efrain is a trailblazer by being the first in his family to get a degree. The Long Beach State graduate said it was an amazing experience to go through the process and show his family – and especially his siblings – that it’s possible.
Since leaving college, Efrain is using his marketing education to give back to the community. As the Hispanic Business Development Representative with the Hispanic Business Alliance of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, he plans large-scale community events and workshops to educate about how business works and how to get started in Northern Santa Barbara County. Efrain also works directly with local Hispanic business owners to help them achieve their dreams. From completing the first steps to launching their business and everything in between, Efrain guides them in creating their enterprise, developing it, and networking with other business owners.
His work isn’t limited to just adults getting started. Through the Next Gen CEO Program, Efrain works with kids in school teaching them how to start their own business. He says it’s really fulfilling to hear young people’s ideas, and how passionate they are about the things they have chosen to do.
When it comes to starting a business, Efrain advises people to “Go for it!” Although future business owners may not know how to get started and makes them afraid to make the jump, he notes that there are a lot of resources available, including the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce. With the support of the Chamber and other local organizations, those dreams can become a reality.
We congratulate Efrain for being recognized as a SESLOC Young Change Maker!