Coffee N° 5 with Lara Schmoisman

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In this Coffee Nº5 episode, Lara Schmoisman sits down with Jennifer Bickerton and Lauren Kahn, Co-Founders of Intersection PR, to demystify what PR really looks like in 2026. From AI and media fragmentation to influencer economics, launches, and integrated ecosystems, this conversation breaks down how brands actually build relevance, authority, and momentum today.

We'll talk about:

• Why PR in 2026 is an ecosystem—n...

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In this Coffee Nº5 episode, Lara sits down with Laura Meyer—Founder & CEO of Envision Horizons and former Amazon insider—to break down why Amazon isn’t “just another sales channel.” They unpack what actually drives revenue on Amazon, the biggest distractions brands fall for, and how to build a profitable, defensible Amazon strategy without burning cash or losing brand identity.

We'll talk about:

• Why Amazon is ...

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In this Coffee Nº5 episode, Lara sits down with Kat Garcia, Founder of Ground AI, to dismantle the myth of the linear career. They go from Hollywood sets to building revenue engines, getting real about why the traditional funnel is broken and how to use data to build actual momentum—not just noise.

We'll talk about:

• Why the "straight line" career is a myth—and a trap.
• The reality of the "Broken Funne...

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In this Coffee Nº5 episode, Lara sits down with Allison McNamara, Founder and CEO of MARA Beauty, to explore the non-linear path from media to building a science-backed skincare brand. A grounded conversation about discipline, focus, and earning clarity over time.

We'll talk about:

• Why non-linear careers often lead to stronger founders
• Building a science-backed brand without shortcuts
• How discipline shapes product a...

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In this Coffee Nº5 episode, Lara Schmoisman sits down with Aaron Alpeter, founder of Izba, Sourcify, and Slotted, to break down the operational reality of scaling product-based businesses. From cash flow and supplier negotiations to packaging costs and operational flexibility, this episode explains why supply chain is a core growth driver—not a backend detail.

We'll talk about:

• What supply chain really is—...

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Laurel Mintz, Founder & GP of Fabric VC and CEO of Elevate My Brand, joins Lara Schmoisman on Coffee Nº5 to demystify venture capital for founders. From bootstrapping vs. raising money and what VCs really look for in pitch decks, to the truth about AI hype and why communication trumps clever branding—this episode breaks down how real funding decisions are made in today’s market.

We'll talk about:

• Why m...

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In the final Coffee Nº5 episode of the year, Lara Schmoisman breaks down the marketing ecosystem of 2026—an environment defined by AI clarity, human-led storytelling, micro-experts, privacy-first data practices, and integrated teams. This episode explains what it truly takes to operate, grow, and connect in a world where everything is interconnected.

We'll talk about:

• The 2026 ecosystem: why everythin...

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In this solo episode of Coffee Nº5, Lara Schmoisman cuts through the noise around SEO and breaks down what actually matters: technical performance, quality backlinks, and audience-driven keywords. She explains how SEO fuels organic growth, why structure matters more than shortcuts, and how brands can build long-term momentum in a world shaped by AI. A clear, strategic guide for marketers who want results—not gimmicks.

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Lara Schmoisman shares why your website is the true heart of your business—and why ignoring its performance can cost you growth, visibility, and conversions. From SEO and site speed to tech stacks and maintenance, this Coffee Nº5 episode breaks down how your site connects every part of your marketing strategy, from paid media to AI readiness.

We'll talk about:

• Your website is your brand’s heart—every trans...

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Lara Schmoisman breaks down why blogging is still one of the most powerful tools in digital marketing—and what happens when brands stop. From keyword strategy to AI-ready content, Lara reveals how organic traffic, SEO, and conversions are directly tied to consistent, strategic content creation.

We'll talk about:

• What really happens when brands stop blogging: organic traffic drops, and sales follow.
• The 3 ke...

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Lara Schmoisman breaks down her IEMA system on Coffee Nº5, showing how integrated marketing—content that is Informative, Entertaining, Memorable, and Actionable—drives real growth. From SEO and AI to storytelling and strategy, Lara shares practical insights to make your content work harder and smarter.

We'll talk about:

• Why dividing branding and growth is a mistake—and the power of integrated marketing
• The ...

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Joanne Murphy, Senior Conference Producer at Kisaco Research, joins Lara Schmoisman on Coffee Nº5 to pull back the curtain on Beauty Connect LA—one of the industry’s most strategic gatherings for founders, investors, and innovators. From retail readiness and AI-powered insights to the evolution of “clinical credibility,” Joanne breaks down what’s really shaping the beauty ecosystem in 2025 and how connection drives ev...

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Lalla Asmaa Alaoui, architect, luxury designer, and founder of AllMyAI, joins Lara Schmoisman on Coffee Nº5 to talk about the next frontier of AI—where emotional intelligence meets innovation. From building HorseHub, the world’s first AI-driven luxury equestrian brand, to launching a multi-agent platform that blends creativity and strategy, Lalla shares how she’s redefining collaboration between humans and machines.

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Hugh Forrest, transformative leader of SXSW and founder of Gather and Grow, joins Lara Schmoisman on Coffee Nº5 to share how a local music festival became a global hub for technology, culture, and creativity. From building community to reinventing live experiences, Hugh reveals what it takes to lead in the event industry—and what’s next for 2025 and beyond.

We'll talk about:

• How Hugh Forrest grew SXSW from...

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Bet Hannon, web accessibility expert and founder of AccessiCart, joins Lara Schmoisman on Coffee Nº5 to break down what accessibility really means for websites, marketing, and global compliance. From ADA lawsuits to the EU Accessibility Act, Bet shares why inclusive design is not just about avoiding legal risks—it’s about unlocking a $500 billion consumer market.

We'll talk about:

• How Bet pivoted from nonp...

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Courtney Claghorn, co-founder of SUGARED + BRONZED, joins Lara Schmoisman on Coffee Nº5 to share how she bootstrapped a beauty service out of her apartment into a nationwide brand. From $1,000 in startup capital to 10 stores before raising funding, Courtney reveals the lessons of growth, customer loyalty, franchising, memberships, and creating a product line—all while keeping customer service at the core.

We'...

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Alec Batis, beauty industry veteran and founder of Sweet Chemistry, joins Lara Schmoisman on Coffee Nº5 to unpack the pursuit of eternal beauty. From organ regeneration science to peptide innovation, he shares how true beauty goes beyond flawless skin—blending performance-driven skincare with wellness, meaning, and social impact.

We'll talk about:

• The personal story that drove Alec to chase beauty through sci...

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Mark Menning, PhD, pharmaceutical scientist and founder of MARK Los Angeles, joins Lara Schmoisman to unpack how flavonoids, clinical trials, and advanced delivery systems are reshaping skincare. From FDA-approved antivirals to cold sore serums and acne care, he shares how science—not hype—is driving the next era of beauty and wellness.

We'll talk about:

• Why drug delivery—not just ingredients—defines whether ...

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Susanah Zeffiro, Brand Partnerships Lead at BeReal and former Spotify and Epic Games exec, joins Lara Schmoisman to explore the future of social media, authenticity vs. AI, and how brands can win with Gen Z by leaning into raw, unfiltered connection instead of glossy campaigns.

We'll talk about:

• Why Gen Z is rejecting filtered perfection and demanding authenticity
• The throughline of Susanah’s career: spotting ...