Coffee N° 5 with Lara Schmoisman
Your Brew of Business Wisdom - Coffee N5 is your ultimate guide to running, growing, and scaling a successful business in today’s competitive landscape. Hosted by award-winning marketing strategist Lara Schmoisman—a Forbes Next 1000 honoree and LA Times Inspirational Women finalist—this Podcast is your secret weapon for actionable strategies, insider tips, and real-world success stories.
Every episode dives into the tools, tricks, and tactics that help businesses thrive, featuring insights from industry leaders and innovators across beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and beyond. Lara’s unique approach combines her vast expertise in omnichannel marketing with her passion for helping brands unlock their potential.
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Coffee N5 gives you everything you need to create lasting success. So, pour yourself a cup, tune in, and let’s turn your business ambitions into reality—one episode at a time!
Listen now and discover what it takes to build the business of your dreams.
Coffee N° 5 with Lara Schmoisman
Inside SXSW: 35 Years of Community, Creativity, and Constant Reinvention with Hugh Forrest
Hugh Forrest, transformative leader of SXSW and founder of Gather and Grow, joins Lara Schmoisman on Coffee Nº5 to share how a local music festival became a global hub for technology, culture, and creativity. From building community to reinventing live experiences, Hugh reveals what it takes to lead in the event industry—and what’s next for 2025 and beyond.
We'll talk about:
- How Hugh Forrest grew SXSW from a local music event into a global cultural powerhouse
- Lessons from 35 years of building one of the world’s most influential conferences and festivals
- Why scale can challenge community—and how SXSW kept connection at the center
- The evolution of events into experiences, and what today’s audiences really want
- How the “panel picker” gave SXSW its edge in fresh talent and diverse voices
- Hugh’s leadership philosophy: listening to community feedback, embracing pivots, and learning from failures
- Hugh’s new chapter with Gather and Grow—consulting for global organizations and teaching community-focused event strategy
For more information, visit Hugh Forrest's LinkedIn.
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Instagram: @laraschmoisman
Facebook: @LaraSchmoisman