Coffee N° 5 with Lara Schmoisman

Episode: Leading Through Connection: A Smarter Approach with Sara Pereda
Release Date: June 24, 2025

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of Coffee N° 5, host Lara Schmoisman engages in a deep conversation with Sara Pereda, a seasoned professional in the tech and loyalty sectors. Sara shares her journey of building and managing thriving communities, emphasizing the power of genuine connections and smarter partnerships. This detailed summary captures the essence of their discussion, highlighting key insights, strategies, and actionable advice for entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Meet Sara Pereda

Sara begins by introducing her professional background, detailing her recent transition from YAHPA, where she spent four years in partnerships, to Revo, a loyalty provider in the same space. This move marks a significant shift in her career, allowing her to further explore and expand her expertise in building and nurturing communities.

[01:25] Sara Pereda: "I actually did a change last week. So was at YAHPA the last four years in partnerships and then just transitioned over to Revo, a loyalty provider also in the space."

The Genesis of Smarter Partnerships

Sara explains how her passion for connecting people organically led to the creation of a thriving community. Starting with a farewell event for a departing colleague, she recognized the inefficiencies of using multiple platforms like LinkedIn, text messaging, and email to stay connected. This realization prompted her to establish a Slack-based community focused on collaboration and resource sharing.

[02:15] Sara Pereda: "I was like, let's just create a slack community. So it started off really organically there, and I wanted it to be able to be a place where we could help each other be better at our jobs."

The community rapidly grew from a handful of members to over 1,800 participants, eventually transitioning to a paid model to ensure commitment and value.

[03:53] Sara Pereda: "I always say, like, people who leave and say, oh, it's not worth the money. And by the way, it's 20 bucks a month. I can't believe people like, you know, pocket that."

Building Genuine Connections

A central theme of the discussion is the importance of authentic relationships in community building. Sara emphasizes a "give first" mentality, ensuring that members contribute meaningfully before expecting benefits in return. This approach fosters a non-transactional environment where trust and mutual support flourish.

[04:43] Sara Pereda: "Our community is really cognizant of, like, we want to get. Have people giving first, and then you get to receive."

Managing and Expanding International Communities

Sara delves into the challenges of managing a global community, highlighting the need for cultural sensitivity and localized leadership. By empowering native leaders in each city, such as Dublin and Toronto, she ensures that each community segment retains its unique cultural identity while adhering to the overarching ethos of Smarter Partnerships.

[13:20] Sara Pereda: "Finding someone who can lead in that community that is native to that community."

She shares insights on tailoring events to suit local preferences, avoiding common pitfalls like choosing inappropriate venues or times that don't resonate with the local audience.

[15:26] Sara Pereda: "No more downtown. Stop planning events downtown, everyone. It doesn't work."

Supporting Members Through Career Transitions

The community isn't just about networking; it's a support system for members navigating career challenges. Sara recounts how the community has facilitated job placements for over 45 individuals by leveraging internal connections and fostering a culture of mutual assistance.

[16:31] Sara Pereda: "There was a layoff at one partner. I made sure to reach out... now I think she's getting an offer from another partner that I connected them with this week."

Additionally, the community offers affordable membership options for unemployed members, ensuring inclusivity and continuous engagement.

[16:31] Sara Pereda: "When people are unemployed, we don't charge them to come into the community. There's an unemployed rate and it's just five bucks a month."

Establishing Rules and Expectations for Connectors

Lara prompts Sara to discuss the dos and don'ts of being an effective connector within a community. Sara underscores the significance of integrity, non-transactional interactions, and being genuinely invested in others' success. She advises against connecting people with hidden motives, advocating instead for relationships built on trust and mutual respect.

[08:41] Sara Pereda: "If you come at it with a motive... you'll never do it naturally and also organically."

Sara also highlights the importance of active participation, noting tools that help monitor member engagement to maintain a vibrant and committed community.

[05:07] Sara Pereda: "I can see on the back end of Slack to see if they're actually participating."

Navigating the Evolving Tech Landscape

Addressing the rapid changes in technology, Sara advises brands to partner with proactive and knowledgeable alliances. She emphasizes the need for partners who not only solve problems but also anticipate opportunities to enhance ROI.

[20:07] Sara Pereda: "Your Tech stack... being proactive and saying, hey, like I noticed you didn't enable this. This could help you unlock X amount of ROI."

Sara warns against the pitfalls of technical debt, encouraging brands to fully utilize their existing tools before onboarding new platforms. She advocates for strategic partnerships that prioritize the client's long-term success over immediate transactional gains.

[22:11] Sara Pereda: "Technical debt... are you really managing the tool?"

Enhancing Customer Experience Through Strategic Partnerships

Sara shares anecdotes illustrating the impact of effective partnerships on customer experience. For instance, she recounts an instance where proactive communication could have prevented a negative customer interaction involving unexpected fees from UPS.

[23:21] Sara Pereda: "Speed is of the essence... if you have that, that's a massive differentiation in like what true partner can do."

She stresses that true partners act as advocates, swiftly addressing issues and ensuring seamless experiences for customers.

Conclusion

Sara Pereda's insights provide a roadmap for building and managing successful communities and partnerships. Her emphasis on authentic connections, proactive support, and cultural sensitivity offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and business leaders aiming to foster meaningful and productive networks. By prioritizing mutual support and strategic alliances, Sara exemplifies how smarter partnerships can drive sustained business growth and innovation.

[26:01] Lara Schmoisman: "Thank you, Sarah, for being here with us today. This was really lovely chat."

Key Takeaways

• Authentic Connections: Focus on building genuine relationships without hidden motives.
• Proactive Partnerships: Choose partners who anticipate needs and actively contribute to enhancing ROI.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Tailor community management strategies to respect and integrate local cultures.
• Active Engagement: Utilize tools to monitor and encourage member participation, ensuring a vibrant community.
• Support Systems: Offer structures that aid members in career transitions and personal growth.
• Strategic Resource Management: Avoid technical debt by fully leveraging existing tools before adopting new ones.

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