184. Small Business, Big Dreams: How Mexico’s SMEs Are Cracking the U.S. Market

In this episode of Proyecto 1954, we interviewed Jacob Shoihet, CEO and co-founder of Marco, dive into the opportunities and challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Mexico as they aim to expand into the U.S. market. Our guest highlights the growing need for Mexican SMEs to access financing to bridge the trade finance gap, which often hinders their ability to thrive in cross-border trade. He explains how the U.S.-Mexico trade relationship continues to grow, surpassing even trade with China, and emphasizes the critical role SMEs play in this dynamic. The conversation also explores how platforms like Amazon and Mercado Libre reduce barriers for SMEs to enter the global market, providing an opportunity to sell their goods internationally. However, many businesses still face significant hurdles, including lack of capital, infrastructure, and digitalization. The episode sheds light on how innovative financing solutions, such as those offered by Marco, are helping Mexican SMEs overcome these barriers, access U.S. buyers, and ultimately contribute to job creation and economic growth in Mexico.