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Beauty industry leader Liza Rapay joins Lara Schmoisman on Coffee Nº5 to unpack the strategy behind Cosmoprof’s global success, how brands can actually win at trade shows, and why purpose-driven leadership always scales better.

We'll talk about:

• Why building a show like Cosmoprof takes strategy—not just sparkle.
• What most beauty brands get wrong about trade shows.
• The mindset shift every founder needs before exhibiting.
• What Beauty New York is—and why it’s being called the Fashion Week of Beauty.
• Why storytelling, not just samples, makes or breaks a brand’s success.
• The resilience of the beauty industry (even through tariffs and global change).

For more information, visit Liza Rapay's LinkedIn.

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Instagram: @laraschmoisman

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Lara Schmoisman sits down with Elizabeth Robillard, eTail Portfolio Director, to talk retail strategy, evolving search trends, content that connects, and how to avoid falling for industry buzz. This episode of Coffee Nº 5 is packed with insight for retail marketers, brand leaders, and founders navigating the future of omnichannel commerce.

We'll talk about:

• Why AI fatigue is real—and how to shift the conversation.
• What consumers are actually searching for (and what they’re ignoring).
• Why SEO, social, and email shouldn’t live in silos.
• What makes a retail event valuable—and what doesn’t.
• Why your content strategy has to work harder than your booth.
• The power of research, not trend-chasing.
• How the best brands are adapting—without burning out their teams.

For more information, visit Elizabeth Robillard's LinkedIn.

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Communications strategist Jeanne Meyer joins Lara Schmoisman on Coffee Nº 5 to talk brand voice, reputation management, and crisis comms—from her work at EMI Music to major brand turnarounds at Toys R Us and Unilever. Learn how to build brand trust, adapt messaging across platforms, and lead with clarity in a noisy, fast-moving media landscape.

We'll talk about:

• Why consistency across platforms is make-or-break for brand trust
• Crisis comms vs. PR: What’s the difference and why it matters
• How to build a “reputation bank” before you need it
• The problem with performative messaging in today’s cultural landscape
• Why strong brand pillars are more relevant than ever
• Communication isn’t just talking—it’s listening

For more information, visit Jeanne Meyer's LinkedIn.

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In the 200th episode of Coffee N° 5, Sampo Parkkinen, CEO of Revieve, joins Lara Schmoisman to talk AI in beauty, brand positioning, and the power of solving real problems—not chasing trends. Learn why clarity beats gimmicks, how to build consumer trust with smart beauty tech, and what it really takes to grow a modern beauty brand.
Perfect for beauty founders, marketers, and innovation leaders.|

We'll talk about:

• Stop leading with tech. Start solving real problems.
• Beauty’s not overcrowded, it’s overcomplicated.
• Platforms don’t matter if your customer isn’t there.
• The new consumer doesn’t fall for fluff.
• You can’t be everything. Stay in your lane.
• AI isn’t here to replace humans, it’s here to empower them.

For more information, visit Sampo Parkkinen's LinkedIn.

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Leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry joins Lara Schmoisman on Coffee N° 5 to unpack what real leadership looks like: responsibility, adaptability, and learning as you go. If you’re building a team—or building yourself as a leader—this one’s for you.

We'll talk about:

• Why leadership is not the same as being the boss
• The hardest shift: from doing the work to leading the people
• What “leading by example” really means—and when it backfires
• How to stay strategic without losing sight of the details
• What founders get wrong when they try to do it all
• Building a team culture that values initiative—not just output
• Why good leadership starts with reflection, not perfection

For more information, visit Kevin Eikenberry's LinkedIn.

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Instagram: @laraschmoisman

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Copywriter Carmine Montalto joins Lara Schmoisman on Coffee N° 5 to talk about the power of words, the importance of brand voice, and why good writing is non-negotiable across every touchpoint, from packaging to email. If your copy isn’t converting, this episode’s your wake-up call.

We'll talk about:

• Why your consumer, not your brand, is the main character
• The difference between nice copy and copy that sells
• What agencies get wrong about brand voice (and how to fix it)
• From emails to packaging: how to write with consistency
• Why every content piece needs a clear intention
• Using AI like a pro
• The underrated power of direct response copy

For more information, visit Carmine Montalto's LinkedIn.

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Andrea Moore joins Lara Schmoisman on Coffee N° 5 to talk real leadership, smart hiring, and the strategy behind a truly connected omnichannel brand. If you're tired of chaos and ready to lead with clarity, this episode delivers.

We'll talk about:

• Boss vs. leader: Why the title means nothing without vision
• How Andrea scaled omnichannel from the ground up
• Hiring for growth: Skill, grit, and long-game thinking
• What mentorship really means—and what it doesn’t
• Building strategy across platforms without losing the brand
• Leading cross-functional teams without the drama

For more information, visit Andrea Moore's LinkedIn.

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Publishing a book? Learn the truth behind self-publishing, hybrid models, and traditional book deals with expert Meghan Stevenson. From securing an agent to building your platform, get industry-level insight in this episode of Coffee N° 5.

We'll talk about:

• Meghan’s journey from Big Five publishing to independent author advocacy
• The three paths to publishing: self-publishing, hybrid, and traditional
• Why audience size and platform are non-negotiables in traditional publishing
• Common misconceptions about advances, agents, and bestseller lists
• How long it really takes to go from book idea to publication
• Red flags and mistakes first-time authors often make
• The truth about ghostwriting, marketing, and “book guarantees

For more information, visit Meghan Stevenson's LinkedIn.

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