Coffee N° 5 with Lara Schmoisman

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In this Coffee Nº5 episode, I sit 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 and growth decisions
The reality behind scaling and retail expansion
Why focus matters more than speed
When brand clarity finally clicks

For more information, visit Allison McNamara's LinkedIn and Instagram.

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Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:

Instagram: @laraschmoisman

Facebook: @LaraSchmoisman

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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—and why it directly impacts your ability to scale
Why cash flow and unit economics matter more than fundraising
How to negotiate with suppliers and use payment terms as a growth lever
The hidden costs of packaging, shipping, and storage
Why flexibility and strong relationships matter more than optimization

For more information, visit Aaron Alpeter's LinkedIn and Instagram.

Subscribe to Lara’s newsletter.

Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:

Instagram: @laraschmoisman

Facebook: @LaraSchmoisman

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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 most founders say they’ll bootstrap… until they realize you can’t scale without marketing—or money.
What VCs see in thousands of pitch decks — and why short, simple decks win.
Why founders must know their numbers — and why clever storytelling can’t replace financial clarity.
The truth about the AI gold rush — most startups don’t actually have data or defensible AI.
Why communication quality often determines whether she’ll write a check more than branding does.

For more information, visit Laurel Mintz's LinkedIn and Instagram.

Subscribe to Lara’s newsletter.

Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:

Instagram: @laraschmoisman

Facebook: @LaraSchmoisman

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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 everything in marketing is now interconnected—and why working in silos will break your growth.
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): clarity as the new currency for AI.
AI agents as shoppers: what it means when software researches, compares, and negotiates for consumers.
Responsible AI: why governance, rules, and human oversight will define how brands use technology.
Content in 2026: real storytelling, crafted value, SEO-backed captions, and the end of shallow posting.
The rise of micro-experts: why niche credibility beats mass follower counts.
Privacy & first-party data: what owning your customer information really means.
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Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:

Instagram: @laraschmoisman

Facebook: @LaraSchmoisman

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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.
We'll talk about:
Why your website—not social media—is still the core of your digital ecosystem.
The three parts of SEO: technical performance, backlinks, and keywords.
The truth about technical SEO: structure, performance, pages, and the tech stack that supports conversions.
Traffic vs. conversions: why most brands confuse them—and lose momentum.
How AI has changed backlink strategy.

Subscribe to Lara’s newsletter.

Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:

Instagram: @laraschmoisman

Facebook: @LaraSchmoisman

Support the show