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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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Lara Schmoisman shares why your website is the true heart of your business—and why ignoring its performance can cost you growth, visibility, and conversions. From SEO and site speed to tech stacks and maintenance, this Coffee Nº5 episode breaks down how your site connects every part of your marketing strategy, from paid media to AI readiness.

We'll talk about:

• Your website is your brand’s heart—every transaction and touchpoint starts there.
• How a slow or poorly optimized website kills your paid ads, organic reach, and SEO.
• The hidden costs of “plugin overload”—and how to streamline for speed and stability.
• The myth of agency pricing: how the right team actually saves you money by doing it right the first time.
• The silent mistake: brands investing thousands in ads but zero in SEO—renting attention instead of owning it.

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Lara Schmoisman breaks down why blogging is still one of the most powerful tools in digital marketing—and what happens when brands stop. From keyword strategy to AI-ready content, Lara reveals how organic traffic, SEO, and conversions are directly tied to consistent, strategic content creation.

We'll talk about:

• What really happens when brands stop blogging: organic traffic drops, and sales follow.
• The 3 keyword types every brand needs: DNA, competitive, and trending.
• Why long-tail keywords are now the most strategic weapon in SEO and AI visibility.
• How to structure content so it ranks on Google and is readable by AI tools.
• The difference between filling a blog and creating content that solves real problems.
• The silent mistake: brands investing thousands in ads but zero in SEO—renting attention instead of owning it.
• Why chasing “viral tactics” without data leads to penalties, lost rankings, and zero scalability.
• What it means to make your website AI-ready—and why not doing it now is a liability.
  
  

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Lara 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 marketing
• The IEMA system: Informative, Entertaining, Memorable, Actionable
• How to make every piece of content work smarter, not just fill a feed
• Why SEO and AI-readiness are table stakes in today’s marketing ecosystem
• How to measure content effectively and avoid “doing things just to do them”

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Joanne 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 visibility
• Why AI and e-commerce are reshaping beauty’s playbook, from distribution to data
• The “Retail Ready” mindset: what brands must have in place before pitching to Sephora, Ulta, or Target
• How today’s consumer demands efficacy, education, and evidence—and what that means for product storytelling
• Why sponsors and tech partners need to teach, not just sell—and how connection fuels collaboration
• The rise of social commerce and how founders are becoming their own media channels
• Behind the scenes of Beauty Connect’s one-on-one meetings and how the right conversation can lead to real partnerships

Visit 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.

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