Podcast
Coffee N° 5 with Lara Schmoisman
Hosted by Lara Schmoisman · EN
Your Brew of Business Wisdom - Coffee N5 is your ultimate guide to running, growing, and scaling a successful business in today’s competitive landscape. Hosted by award-winning marketing strategist Lara Schmoisman—a Forbes Next 1000 honoree and LA Times Inspirational Women finalist—this Podcast is your secret weapon for actionable strategies, insider tips, and real-world success stories.
Every episode dives into the tools, tricks, and tactics that help businesses thrive, featuring insights from industry leaders and innovators across beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and beyond. Lara’s unique approach combines her vast expertise in omnichannel marketing with her passion for helping brands unlock their potential.
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Coffee N5 gives you everything you need to create lasting success. So, pour yourself a cup, tune in, and let’s turn your business ambitions into reality—one episode at a time!
Listen now and discover what it takes to build the business of your dreams.
67episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Integrated Marketing in Action: The IEMA System with Lara Schmoisman
Oct 2800:04:40Summary readySend us a textLara 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 marketingThe IEMA system: Informative, Entertaining, Memorable, ActionableHow to make every piece of content work smarter, not just fill a feedWhy SEO and AI-readiness are table stakes in today’s marketing ecosystemHow to measure content effectively and avoid “doing things just to do them”Subscribe to Lara’s newsletter.Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:Instagram: @laraschmoismanFacebook: @LaraSchmoismanSupport the show
SummaryBeauty Connect LA: Behind the Trends Driving the Industry with Joanne Murphy
Oct 2100:22:22Summary readySend us a textJoanne 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 every deal.We'll talk about:How Beauty Connect LA intentionally brings together founders, investors, retailers, and creators to drive real growth—not just visibilityWhy AI and e-commerce are reshaping beauty’s playbook, from distribution to dataThe “Retail Ready” mindset: what brands must have in place before pitching to Sephora, Ulta, or TargetHow today’s consumer demands efficacy, education, and evidence—and what that means for product storytellingWhy sponsors and tech partners need to teach, not just sell—and how connection fuels collaborationThe rise of social commerce and how founders are becoming their own media channelsBehind the scenes of Beauty Connect’s one-on-one meetings and how the right conversation can lead to real partnershipsVisit the Beauty Connect website and register for your pass:https://www.kisacoresearch.com/events/beauty-connect-la-2025 Follow them on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest event updates, reports, and more.Subscribe to Lara’s newsletter.Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:Instagram: @laraschmoismanFacebook: @LaraSchmoismanSupport the show
SummaryThe Future of Creativity: Building Emotionally Intelligent AI with Lalla Asmaa Alaoui
Oct 1400:24:50Summary readySend us a textLalla 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.We'll talk about:The story behind AllMyAI—a multi-agent platform where AI collaborates with humans, not replaces themHow Lalla co-created HorseHub, the world’s first luxury equestrian brand built entirely with AIThe truth about SEO in the age of ChatGPT and Gemini—and why “searchable by AI” is the new frontierWhy emotional intelligence is the missing link in AI-driven creativityHow to structure content for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and get found by AI toolsWhy understanding your brand DNA is the foundation of any digital strategyHow creative agencies can leverage AI without losing the human touchLalla’s take on competition, data, and what it means to “stay ahead before they catch you”For more information, visit Lalla Asmaa Alaoui's LinkedIn.Subscribe to Lara’s newsletter.Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:Instagram: @laraschmoismanFacebook: @LaraSchmoismanSupport the show
SummaryInside SXSW: 35 Years of Community, Creativity, and Constant Reinvention with Hugh Forrest
Oct 700:27:06Summary readySend us a textHugh 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 a local music event into a global cultural powerhouseLessons from 35 years of building one of the world’s most influential conferences and festivalsWhy scale can challenge community—and how SXSW kept connection at the centerThe evolution of events into experiences, and what today’s audiences really wantHow the “panel picker” gave SXSW its edge in fresh talent and diverse voicesHugh’s leadership philosophy: listening to community feedback, embracing pivots, and learning from failuresHugh’s new chapter with Gather and Grow—consulting for global organizations and teaching community-focused event strategyFor more information, visit Hugh Forrest's LinkedIn.Subscribe to Lara’s newsletter.Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:Instagram: @laraschmoismanFacebook: @LaraSchmoismanSupport the show
SummaryAccessibility, Compliance, and Conversions: Why Digital Inclusion Is a Business Imperative with Bet Hannon
Sep 3000:24:56Summary readySend us a textBet 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 nonprofit management to leading a digital accessibility agencyWhat “accessibility” really means across websites, email, and social mediaWhy plugins and overlays don’t solve the problem—and can even make you a legal targetThe truth about color contrast, fonts, and design choices that impact usabilityWhat the EU Accessibility Act means for global brands (and why US businesses need to care)How accessibility drives both compliance and conversionWhy inclusive design is a competitive advantage, not a burdenFor more information, visit Bet Hannon's LinkedIn.Subscribe to Lara’s newsletter.Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:Instagram: @laraschmoismanFacebook: @LaraSchmoismanSupport the show
SummaryBootstrapped to Beauty Powerhouse: Scaling SUGARED + BRONZED with Courtney Claghorn
Sep 2300:26:28Summary readySend us a textCourtney 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'll talk about:How Courtney turned $1,000 in savings into Sugared + BronzedThe leap from apartment spray tans to opening a first brick-and-mortar in Santa MonicaBootstrapping growth for 9 years before raising outside capitalBuilding a team you can actually trust—and learning when to take back controlCreating a product line without losing focus on servicesCustomer service as the foundation of brand loyaltyWhy raising capital with the right partners changed everythingFor more information, visit Courtney Claghorn's LinkedIn.Subscribe to Lara’s newsletter.Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:Instagram: @laraschmoismanFacebook: @LaraSchmoismanSupport the show
SummaryEternal Beauty: Redefining Skincare and Self-Worth with Alec Batis
Sep 1600:37:22Summary readySend us a textAlec 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 scienceLessons from leading marketing at Victoria’s Secret Beauty and NARS in the supermodel eraWhy “juice without fiber” became his metaphor for a shallow beauty industryThe medical-grade peptide technology behind Sweet Chemistry—and why it’s a game-changerWhy functional ingredient levels matter more than “story” ingredientsHow wellness, art, and social impact fit into the future of beautyThe movement toward “whole beauty”—beyond what’s skin-deepFind Sweet Chemistry’s Social Responsibility Efforts on their website: https://sweetchemistry.com/pages/commitmentsFor more information, visit Alec Batis' LinkedIn.Subscribe to Lara’s newsletter.Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:Instagram: @laraschmoismanFacebook: @LaraSchmoismanSupport the show
SummaryThe Science of Skincare: How Pharma Innovation is Redefining Beauty with Mark Menning, PhD
Sep 900:25:46Summary readySend us a textMark 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 skincare worksHow a career in pharma led to groundbreaking skincare innovationsThe role of flavonoids as powerful anti-inflammatory and antiviral activesLessons from running full clinical trials in an industry that avoids themWhy consumer feedback forced MARK Los Angeles to reposition products—and why it workedHow inflammation became the “enemy” driving premature aging and poor skin healthWhat the future of beauty looks like when science—not marketing—sets the standardFor more information, visit Mark Menning's LinkedIn.Subscribe to Lara’s newsletter.Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:Instagram: @laraschmoismanFacebook: @LaraSchmoismanSupport the showSupport the show
SummaryThe Authenticity Shift: Rethinking Social Media with Susanah Zeffiro
Sep 200:27:32Summary readySend us a textSusanah 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 authenticityThe throughline of Susanah’s career: spotting what’s next before it hits the mainstreamLessons from Spotify, gaming, and now BeReal on building brand partnerships that actually workHow raw, iPhone-shot creatives are outperforming polished campaignsThe rise of “monocultural moments” and how real-time engagement reshapes brand storytellingWhy BeReal isn’t chasing algorithms—and why that matters for users and brandsHow social platforms are shifting from entertainment to search, and where BeReal fits inThe future of influencer marketing in an era of authenticity and unfiltered connectionFor more information, visit Susanah Zeffiro's LinkedIn.Subscribe to Lara’s newsletter.Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:Instagram: @laraschmoismanFacebook: @LaraSchmoismanSupport the show
SummaryThe Hard Truth About Beauty Innovation with Steven J. Edelstein
Aug 2600:28:03Summary readySend us a textSteven J. Edelstein, VP of Growth & Partnerships at MyFBAPrep, joins Lara Schmoisman to unpack why most brands fail before they scale—covering pricing strategy, supply chain traps, trade show mistakes, and the future of beauty innovation through personalization and smarter storytelling.We'll talk about:Why pricing strategy must start with your audience—not just your ingredientsThe real margin rules that make or break a brandThe hidden costs in supply chain and trade shows that drain young businessesHow copying formulas and white-labeling kills true innovationWhy personalization and lifestyle-driven products will define the next decadeThe shift from discounts and one-off sales to loyalty and continuity programsHow to create emotional connection that keeps customers coming backThe future of beauty: smarter delivery systems, niche focus, and brands that actually solve problemsFor more information, visit Steven J. Edelstein's LinkedIn.Subscribe to Lara’s newsletter.Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:Instagram: @laraschmoismanFacebook: @LaraSchmoismanSupport the show
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