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In this episode of Coffee Nº5, I sit down with Jennifer Bickerton and Lauren Kahn, Co-Founders of Intersection PR, to unpack the real state of PR in 2026—without buzzwords and without nostalgia.

PR is no longer about isolated placements or one-off moments. It’s about ecosystems. Marketing, digital, retail, Amazon, influencers, AI, and brand narrative now live in the same room whether brands like it or not. If one piece breaks, momentum breaks.

We talk about what brands consistently misunderstand: influencer ROI, launch events that don’t move the needle, why “just PR” doesn’t exist anymore, and why communication across teams is now non-negotiable. We also dive into how AI is reshaping authority, discovery, and credibility—making long-term PR maintenance more important than ever.

This episode is a grounded, honest look at PR as it actually works today—and why partnership, clarity, and integration matter more than hype.

We'll talk about:

• Why PR in 2026 is an ecosystem—not a standalone function
• The myth of “just PR” and why siloed teams break brand momentum
• Influencer ROI realities: affiliates, attribution, and what actually converts
• Launch events: when they work, when they don’t, and why most fail
• PR + AI: authority, citations, and why human voice still matters

For more information, visit Lauren's LinkedIn and Instagram and Jennifer's LinkedIn and Instagram

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Instagram: @laraschmoisman

Facebook: @LaraSchmoisman

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In this Coffee Nº5 episode, I sit down with Laura Meyer—Founder & CEO of Envision Horizons and former Amazon insider—to break down why Amazon isn’t “just another sales channel.” We unpack what actually drives revenue on Amazon, the biggest distractions brands fall for, and how to build a profitable, defensible Amazon strategy without burning cash or losing brand identity.

We'll talk about:

• Why Amazon is not “just another channel,” but a full ecosystem with its own laws.
• The biggest distraction brands waste money on (hint: it’s the storefront).
• The truth about Amazon PPC, DSP, and knowing your point of diminishing returns.
• How AI can help Amazon creative—and where it risks killing brand identity.
• What causes suspensions, red flags, and “Amazon horror stories”—and how to manage them.
  
  For more information, visit Laura Meyer'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, I sit down with Kat, Founder of Ground AI, to dismantle the myth of the linear career. We go from Hollywood sets to building revenue engines, getting real about why the traditional funnel is broken and how to use data to build actual momentum—not just noise.

We'll talk about:

• Why the "straight line" career is a myth—and a trap.
• The reality of the "Broken Funnel" and why you can't track ROI the old way.
• Why being an early adopter (like Kat on YouTube in 2006) pays off.
• The difference between AI hype and AI that actually drives revenue.
• Why retention beats ROAS every single time.
• Knowing when your brand is actually ready for automation (hint: you need a baseline).

For more information, visit Kat Garcia's LinkedIn and Instagram.

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Instagram: @laraschmoisman

Facebook: @LaraSchmoisman

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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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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.

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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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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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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.

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Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:

Instagram: @laraschmoisman

Facebook: @LaraSchmoisman

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