Speaker Rivas Names Paper Tacos as Small Business of the Year

• Nick Miller
• Communications Director
• 916-319-2029
• [email protected]

SACRAMENTO - Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas honored Paper Tacos as the 2026 Small Business of the Year for Assembly District 29, recognizing the Salinas-based company's remarkable growth, cultural impact, and commitment to celebrating Latino identity.

Founded in 2017 by Salinas artist and entrepreneur Jesús Ruvalcaba, Paper Tacos has grown from a small collection of 15 culturally authentic greeting card designs into a nationally recognized brand with more than hundreds of products featured in stores across California and beyond.

"If you want to know what California entrepreneurship looks like at its finest, look no further than Paper Tacos. Jesús Ruvalcaba took a personal experience and turned it into something truly special - a business that's rooted in culture, fueled by community and bursting with creativity. The son of immigrant farmworkers, Jesús grew something extraordinary right here in the Salinas Valley - and now you can find it in his stores across our state and beyond. That's not just a success story. That's California at its absolute best." - Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas

"I'm incredibly honored that Paper Tacos has been named Small Business of the Year for Assembly District 29. I started Paper Tacos because I wanted to create greeting cards that reflected my family, my culture, and the community I grew up in. To have that work recognized by Speaker Rivas and the California State Legislature means so much. This award is not just about business growth...it's about representation, creativity, and showing that stories from places like Salinas deserve to be seen and celebrated." - Jesús Ruvalcaba, founder of Paper Tacos

Jesús Ruvalcaba, a first-generation college graduate from California State University, Monterey Bay with a degree in graphic design, launched the company after struggling to find a greeting card that reflected his Mexican heritage and family traditions. His cards reflect the cultural identity shared by so many Californians - bringing Latino representation to all holidays and occasions.

The California State Legislature annually recognizes outstanding small businesses from across the state for their contributions to local economies and communities. Speaker Rivas is proud to acknowledge Paper Tacos' commitment to culture, community, and celebrating diversity.