Coffee N° 5 with Lara Schmoisman

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In this episode of Coffee N°5, Lara Schmoisman chats with Ian Ginsburg, CEO of C.O. Bigelow. Recorded live at Cosmoprof (with a huge thank you to the Cosmoprof team for hosting us!), Ian dives into the rich history of America's oldest apothecary and how it successfully transitioned into a modern retail and e-commerce powerhouse. From creating deeply emotional customer connections in-store to navigating brand licensing, digital transformation, and future longevity trends, this conversation uncovers what it takes to innovate while staying true to a two-century-old legacy.
• Key Topics Covered:
The rich history of apothecaries and their evolution from community hubs to retail destinations.
How C.O. Bigelow preserved its family heritage while transitioning into modern retail.
Building unforgettable customer experiences and long-term emotional brand connections.
Early digital transformation: launching e-commerce initiatives back in the 1990s.
Strategic brand partnerships, licensing, and expanding product assortments.
The future of skincare, Korean beauty innovations, and the emerging longevity industry.
• About Ian Ginsburg:
Ian Ginsburg is the CEO and owner of C.O. Bigelow, America's oldest operating apothecary, founded in New York City in 1838. A third-generation pharmacist, Ian has successfully preserved the heritage and authentic customer care of C.O. Bigelow while expanding the brand globally through modern retail, e-commerce, and strategic brand partnerships. He is a respected industry leader known for blending traditional wellness philosophies with cutting-edge product formulation and digital innovation.
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In this episode of Coffee N°5, Lara Schmoisman chats with Fernando Acosta. Recorded live at Cosmoprof (with a huge thank you to the Cosmoprof team for hosting us!), Fernando shares his journey from Buenos Aires to leading global brands, unpacking what it really takes to build brand equity on an international scale. From the story of Rexona's global brand harmonization to balancing local market adaptation, this conversation uncovers how sensory marketing, AI, and empathetic leadership are driving the next generation of consumer-centric brand growth.
• Key Topics Covered:
Fernando Acosta's career journey from Buenos Aires to international marketing executive.
Lessons in global brand harmonization and maintaining consistency across markets.
How to balance global brand identity with local consumer cultural adaptation.
The role of AI and sensory marketing in modern product development and discovery.
Essential leadership qualities for global business: humility, kindness, grit, and curiosity.
• About Fernando Acosta:
Fernando Acosta is a global marketing executive and business leader known for scaling high-profile consumer brands across international markets. With extensive leadership experience across major FMCG powerhouses, Fernando specializes in brand architecture, consumer insights, and cross-cultural expansion. He is a passionate advocate for purpose-driven branding, empathy-led leadership, and leveraging emerging tech to meet evolving consumer needs.
🔗 Stay Connected with The DARL: 📸 Instagram: / thedarlagency
👍 Facebook: / thedarlagency
💼 LinkedIn: / about
🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/thedarlagency 🌐 Website: https://thedarl.com/
🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on marketing, branding, and career growth!#MarketingCareer #CoffeeN5Podcast #FernandoAcosta #Cosmoprof #GlobalBranding #MarketingStrategy #BrandBuilding #AIinMarketing #TheDARL #BusinessGrowth
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In this episode of Coffee N°5, Lara Schmoisman chats with Lisa Green. Recorded live at Cosmoprof (with a huge thank you to the Cosmoprof team for hosting us!), Lisa shares her deep expertise in retail strategy, customer experience, and the irreplaceable power of the human touch. From building community-driven retail environments to ensuring diversity and representation in product offerings, this conversation uncovers what it takes to connect authentically with modern consumers through powerful storytelling, clinical validation, and value-aligned partnerships.
• Key Topics Covered:
Building authentic community in physical and digital retail environments.
The vital role of the human touch, personalized service, and staff education.
Driving diversity, equity, and representation in product selection and marketing.
Strategies for product validation, clinical testing, and value-driven branding.
How to engage diverse consumer segments through strategic collaborations.
• About Lisa Green:
Lisa Green is a seasoned retail executive and strategist recognized for her human-centric approach to customer experience, product development, and community building. With deep experience in retail strategy, product curation, and consumer behavior, Lisa specializes in helping brands bridge the gap between high-touch customer service and modern market demands. She is a strong advocate for value-driven branding, inclusive representation, and empowering sales teams through educational training.
🔗 Stay Connected with The DARL: 📸 Instagram: / thedarlagency
👍 Facebook: / thedarlagency
💼 LinkedIn: / about
🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/thedarlagency 🌐 Website: https://thedarl.com/
🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on marketing, branding, and career growth!#MarketingCareer #CoffeeN5Podcast #LisaGreen #Cosmoprof #RetailStrategy #CustomerExperience #BrandBuilding #CommunityInRetail #TheDARL #BusinessGrowth
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In this episode of Coffee N°5, Lara Schmoisman chats with Noah Rosenblatt. Recorded live at Cosmoprof (with a huge thank you to the Cosmoprof team for hosting us!), Noah shares deep insights into the rapid evolution of the beauty industry, digital transformation, and modern brand curation. From building sustainable brand longevity in an oversaturated market to navigating fragrance trends and wellness integration, this conversation uncovers what it takes to expand distribution channels while prioritizing speed, service, and consumer personalization.
• Key Topics Covered:
Strategies for building brand longevity and disrupting traditional market channels.
The development of digital platforms and modern e-commerce experiences.
Evolving consumer behavior, personalization, and shifting retail expectations.
Market expansion tactics for brands aiming to establish a strong presence in the US.
Emerging trends in fragrance innovation and the convergence of beauty and wellness.
• About Noah Rosenblatt:
Noah Rosenblatt is a prominent leader and executive in the beauty and retail space, recognized for his strategic vision in brand curation, digital transformation, and market expansion. With extensive experience in scaling retail platforms and developing strategic brand partnerships, Noah plays a pivotal role in identifying next-generation beauty trends. He is passionate about helping innovative skincare, fragrance, and wellness brands navigate retail channels and connect authentically with the modern consumer.
🔗 Stay Connected with The DARL: 📸 Instagram: / thedarlagency
👍 Facebook: / thedarlagency
💼 LinkedIn: / about
🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/thedarlagency 🌐 Website: https://thedarl.com/
🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on marketing, branding, and career growth!#MarketingCareer #CoffeeN5Podcast #NoahRosenblatt #BeautyIndustry #Cosmoprof #DigitalTransformation #BrandStrategy #WellnessTrends #TheDARL #BusinessGrowth
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In this episode of Coffee N°5, Lara Schmoisman chats with Linda Dang, founder of Sakoshi. Linda shares her expert insights on the evolution of Asian beauty in North America, moving far beyond traditional K-beauty trends. From navigating cultural localization and brand readiness to building seamless omnichannel retail experiences, this conversation uncovers what it takes for emerging skincare and beauty brands to successfully scale, differentiate themselves, and conquer competitive new markets.
• Key Topics Covered:
The evolution of Asian beauty in North America and expanding beyond K-beauty.
Strategies for market entry readiness, brand onboarding, and retail expansion.
Balancing authentic brand heritage with localized marketing and packaging.
The power of customer education, storytelling, and skin analysis in-store.
Building omnichannel retail strategies that drive engagement and retention.
Key criteria for product assortment, curation, and clean beauty innovation.
• About Linda Dang:
Linda Dang is the visionary founder behind Sakoshi, a premier platform and retail destination dedicated to bringing the best of Asian beauty to North America. With a strong background in retail operations, brand curation, and market expansion, Linda specializes in bridging the gap between Asian beauty innovators and Western consumers. She is passionate about authentic storytelling, omnichannel growth, and helping ethical brands scale successfully.
🔗 Stay Connected with The DARL: 📸 Instagram: / thedarlagency
👍 Facebook: / thedarlagency
💼 LinkedIn: / about
🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/thedarlagency 🌐 Website: https://thedarl.com/
🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on marketing, branding, and career growth!#MarketingCareer #CoffeeN5Podcast #LindaDang #AsianBeauty #KBeauty #RetailStrategy #BrandBuilding #MarketExpansion #TheDARL #BusinessGrowth
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