In San Ángel, amidst the tourists strolling on Saturdays and the mingling colors of the Jardín del Arte, Alejandro Galaviz Torres exhibits his paintings, where his brushstrokes seem to have an inevitable destiny to travel beyond Mexico City.The curious thing is that, at first, Alejandro Galaviz didn’t plan it that way. A graphic designer by training, he spent years in the corporate world until a job restructuring gave him the final push to dedicate himself fully to painting.
“I had prayed for the opportunity to dedicate myself to the arts, and suddenly it arrived. It was forced upon me, but from then on, I dedicated myself to art,” he recalled.
The first sales came naturally with acquaintances, galleries, and eventually, the Jardín del Arte, where his work began to attract the attention of foreign visitors.
“Many people wanted to take a painting, but didn’t know how to transport it. I didn’t know how to help them either, until I found UPS ,” he said.
The first challenge was a special order for a Peruvian client who wanted a large Snoopy that couldn’t be rolled up or transported in a suitcase.
Because art requires almost surgical care, the entrepreneur took the piece to the UPS branch on Insurgentes, where he discovered he didn’t have to worry about packaging , as the team took care of everything, with packaging designed to protect each work.
“They cleared up all my doubts, and the piece arrived perfectly. That experience gave me the confidence to continue exporting. I learned not to be afraid of exporting. Knowing that your work is loved and that people want to take it home is a source of pride,” he emphasized.
Over time, shipments to Miami, other cities in the United States, and South America became part of their business.
Logistics, which was once a barrier, is now an added value offered to its customers.
Edith Prado, manager of the UPS Access Point Network, explained to T21 that cases like Alejandro Galaviz’s are part of a global strategy to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) , a sector that represents 52% of Mexico’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is responsible for a large part of the country’s employment, according to figures from the Ministry of Economy .
“Globally, we support more than 110,000 companies. We provide them with personalized advice, training, technology, and comprehensive solutions so that their shipping experience is as satisfying as their product purchase,” he noted.
UPS’s support extends beyond the counter. Edith Prado explained that the company trains its staff to guide customers on safe packaging, including using recycled materials, conducts in-person workshops and specific webinars, and provides advice on minimum export documentation , such as invoices and packing lists.
He also explained how to take advantage of Mexico’s free trade agreements with the rest of the world by reducing or eliminating tariffs.
“The United States is key, but we also encourage SMEs to reach Canada, Latin America, the European Union, and other destinations. For example, in 2024 we will export more than $18.6 billion to Canada, and in South America there are markets like Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Peru eager for our products,” Prado commented.
The company is also committed to e-commerce as a means of internationalization.
“If an SME doesn’t get into e-commerce, it will be left behind. Today, this channel has grown 20% in Mexico, reaching a value of more than 789 billion pesos,” he concluded.
For Alejandro Galaviz, exporting is no longer a distant dream, but a natural part of his job.
Her goal now is to reach international galleries and collaborate with major brands. Meanwhile, she continues to work every weekend in San Ángel, selling art that, thanks to a strategic alliance, now knows no boundaries.
“My advice to other entrepreneurs is to follow their hearts, strengthen what they love most, and find a logistics partner they trust. In my case, UPS has been that bridge that has allowed my paintings to reach homes around the world,” he emphasized.
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