Commercializing Mexican Handmade Art Objects in the U.S. Market
This paper presents a business proposal for commercializing Mexican handmade art objects in the United States market. It identifies the target consumer segment as college-educated adults aged 30 to 55 with average-to-high incomes, and outlines the supply chain strategy based on Mexico's affordable labor force and its membership in NAFTA, which eliminates import taxes. The paper addresses logistical risks such as theft and cultural barriers, recommends an initial retail presence in major cities like New York, and proposes online and word-of-mouth marketing. It also argues for a culturally distinctive product focus — specifically Toltec artifacts — to differentiate the business from saturated alternatives.
- Introduction and Business Overview: Framework for evaluating the Mexican art import business
- Target Consumer Segment: Demographics, income, and education of ideal customers
- Supply Chain and Production in Mexico: NAFTA benefits and Mexican labor cost advantages
- Logistical Risks and Operational Considerations: Theft, cultural barriers, and management solutions
- Marketing and Sales Strategy: Retail location, word-of-mouth, and Toltec niche focus
- Conclusion: Summary of core business value proposition
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper uses a clear, structured framework (To Whom, From Whom, How, Why) to organize the business proposal, making the argument easy to follow.
- It grounds its claims in real economic data, such as Mexican poverty statistics and NAFTA trade policy, lending credibility to the feasibility analysis.
- The proposal anticipates practical risks — theft, cultural differences, communication barriers — and briefly addresses each, demonstrating critical thinking beyond surface-level planning.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates applied business analysis by mapping a real-world opportunity onto a structured entrepreneurial framework. It moves systematically from market segmentation to supply chain to marketing strategy, showing how academic business concepts translate into actionable planning steps.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a conceptual framework that organizes the entire proposal. It then develops each component in sequence: consumer profiling, supply chain rationale, operational risk assessment, and marketing approach. The conclusion synthesizes the core value proposition — affordable exotic goods matched to a discerning, financially capable consumer base.
Introduction and Business Overview
The business idea proposed here is the commercialization of Mexican handmade objects in the U.S. market. In order to evaluate the viability of such a venture, several components must be taken into consideration. The most important of these are: To Whom — the targeted market and the exact segment of consumers being addressed; From Whom — who will produce the objects, given that the company will act as a commercial intermediary; How — the full commercialization process; and Why — the justification for this as a sound business opportunity.
Target Consumer Segment
A well-grounded definition of the target consumer segment is the first step in this analysis. The basic nature of the products to be commercialized means the business is addressing consumers who are interested in art and art objects. This interest may be intellectually motivated, or it may be social — rooted in the desire to display taste to friends and family. In either case, the typical target customer is assumed to be between 30 and 55 years of age. This age range implies that the customer has completed college and has had sufficient time to develop a refined appreciation for art and decorative objects.
Additionally, the target customer has an average-to-high income level, ranging from $55,000 to over $100,000 per year. This income bracket represents individuals who have achieved sufficient financial security to pursue discretionary interests, including art. Finally, consistent with the above, the target customer possesses an average-to-high level of education — most likely a college degree — which supports both the cultural curiosity and the purchasing power required to engage with this product category.
Supply Chain and Production in Mexico
An important aspect of the business plan concerns the supply chain and the external conditions that make this opportunity viable. The relevant change is social and economic in nature, rooted in current conditions in Mexico.
First, Mexico is a member of NAFTA, the free trade agreement that also includes Canada and the United States. As a result, goods imported into the U.S. from Mexico are not subject to import taxes, allowing for a better profit margin on sales.
Second, the specific economic conditions in Mexico enable a profitable venture by leveraging the country's affordable labor force. According to official statistics, approximately 40% of the Mexican population lives below the poverty line (CIA World Factbook, 2003). With a workforce estimated at around 33 million people, it is feasible to work directly with local producers who can operate at reasonable costs while benefiting from local labor rates.
The business model has a strong foundation in this production dynamic: by achieving scale economies through affordable labor, the company can enter the U.S. market at average or below-average price points — prices that will allow it to build a consistent market share over time.
Conclusion
The business idea rests on two core pillars: an affordable labor force and products drawn from an unusual, lesser-known culture. The selected target customers are well positioned to receive them, given their educational backgrounds and income levels. Together, these elements form a coherent and commercially justifiable opportunity in the U.S. art and decorative objects market.
Bibliography
1. CIA — The World Factbook.
2. Brandauer, Aline. "Border Crossings — Various Artists, New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans, Louisiana." Art in America. July 1994. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1248/is_n7_v82/ai_15570358
3. Hooker, Richard. "The Toltecs."
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