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Beyond the Business Card: Strategic Networking with Mike Ryan | Coffee N5

In Episode 247 of Coffee N5, Lara Schmoisman chats with Mike Ryan, a true master of professional relationships and a veteran of the PR and marketing industry. In this episode, they dive deep into the world of professional relationship building, the critical importance of "showing up," and how Mike has successfully navigated the digital revolution from the days of hand-typed press releases to creating premium, high-tech unboxing experiences for global brands.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Philosophy of Showing Up: Why being a "social butterfly" is about building genuine human relationships, not just filling a to-do list.
• Networking vs. Strategic Partnering: How to move beyond the traditional "booth" mentality to become a respected authority and a face people recognize at every event.
• The Evolution of the Industry: A fascinating look at the transition from 1980s manual press distribution to the modern era of digital logistics and fulfillment.
• The Art of the Unboxing Experience: Why "white glove" service and customized influencer send-outs are the new standard for brands in the digital age.
• Reputation as Your Only Contract: Mike explains why building a "circle of trust" and maintaining a flawless reputation is more powerful than any legal document.

About Mike Ryan:

Mike Ryan is a seasoned expert in networking and business development with nearly four decades of experience in the communications and fulfillment space. Known as a "Chief Networking Officer" in spirit, Mike has built his career on the principles of loyalty, adaptability, and the power of a handshake. He is a prominent figure in the beauty, fashion, and wellness circles and is the host of the podcast Minutes with Mike.

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In this Coffee Nº5 episode, Lara Schmoisman sits down with Sara Jensen—serial entrepreneur, author, and Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Hugh & Grace—to explore hormone health, preventative wellness, chemical exposure, and the rise of community-driven commerce.

We'll talk about:

• How 14 years of infertility reshaped Sara’s understanding of hormone health
• The hidden impact of hormone-disrupting chemicals in skincare, haircare, and home products
• Why “clean beauty” lacks a clear definition—and what real preventative wellness requires
• The power of simplifying routines to reduce overwhelm and drive compliance
• Why detoxification should be gentle, daily, and sustainable

For more information, visit Sara'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, Lara Schmoisman sits down with Dr. Brent Ridge—physician, longevity researcher, co-founder of Beekman 1802, and co-author of Goat Wisdom—to explore the science of longevity, microbiome innovation, and why kindness is a powerful long-term business strategy.

We'll talk about:

• Why extreme longevity is influenced more by optimism and social connection than by genetics
• How the “anti-aging” narrative became a fear-based marketing construct
• Why longevity starts at birth—not at 40
• The science behind goat milk, skin pH, and microbiome balance
• How exosomes and oligosaccharides support skin ecosystem health

For more information, visit Brent'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, Lara Schmoisman sits down with Bora Mutluoglu, co-founder of Reacher and Y Combinator alum, to break down the reality of social commerce. Using TikTok Shop as a case study, they explore automation, affiliate strategy, creator relationships, and how AI-generated content is reshaping sustainable growth.

We'll talk about:

• Why the “easy sales” narrative around TikTok Shop is misleading
• How social commerce is maturing into a performance-driven ecosystem
• Why automation tools don’t replace relationship building with creators
• The myth of follower count and what actually drives visibility today
• When large influencers make sense—and when they don’t

For more information, visit Bora'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, Lara Schmoisman sits down with Amina AlTai—holistic business and career coach, proud immigrant, chronic illness advocate, host of the Amina Change Your Life podcast, and author of The Ambition Trap: How to Stop Chasing and Start Living—to explore the psychology of ambition. From burnout and hustle culture to core wounds, systemic pressure, and sustainable growth, this conversation reframes ambition as alignment, awareness, and purpose—not endless striving.

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 Amina'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, Lara Schmoisman sits down with Jennifer Bickerton and Lauren Kahn, Co-Founders of Intersection PR, to demystify what PR really looks like in 2026. From AI and media fragmentation to influencer economics, launches, and integrated ecosystems, this conversation breaks down how brands actually build relevance, authority, and momentum today.

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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Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:

Instagram: @laraschmoisman

Facebook: @LaraSchmoisman

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In this Coffee Nº5 episode, Lara sits down with Laura Meyer—Founder & CEO of Envision Horizons and former Amazon insider—to break down why Amazon isn’t “just another sales channel.” They 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.
  
  Subscribe to Lara’s newsletter.
  
  Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:
  
  Instagram: @laraschmoisman
  
  Facebook: @LaraSchmoisman
  
  

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In this Coffee Nº5 episode, Lara sits down with Kat Garcia, Founder of Ground AI, to dismantle the myth of the linear career. They 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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Also, follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:

Instagram: @laraschmoisman

Facebook: @LaraSchmoisman

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