Podcast: Behind the Trends Driving the Industry (Beauty Connect LA)

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 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

Listen to the full podcast episode here.