Taylor Swift Played at My Husband’s Office

No one looked up from their salad. Let that sink in.

Let me tell you a story.

Years ago, Taylor Swift played a live acoustic set…
At my husband’s office.
In the courtyard.
During lunch.

People were eating Cobb salads, half-listening, barely looking up.
She was just a girl with a guitar and long curly hair, strumming away while employees talked.

Can you imagine?

Because today, that same girl sells out stadiums in under five minutes.
She shuts down cities.
She breaks Ticketmaster.

But back then? She was just starting.
And the truth is — everyone starts in the courtyard.

That’s the part no one wants to talk about when they’re building a brand.
We all want the Eras Tour moment.
We want the sold-out products, the press hits, the viral content, the fanbase that buys on day one and never stops.

But before that?
You’ve got to show up in places where no one’s clapping yet.

You have to test your voice.
Tell your story to people who aren’t really listening (yet).
Build the muscle of consistency, clarity, and showing up anyway — even when you're background noise.

Marketing is the same.
Brands that expect Taylor Swift-level fame without doing the quiet, gritty work are missing the point.
You're not supposed to be an overnight success.
You’re supposed to earn the spotlight through connection, repetition, and trust built over time.

So the next time you’re looking at your metrics thinking, “Why isn’t this blowing up?” — remember:
Taylor Swift once played during lunch breaks.
And nobody looked up.

But she kept showing up.
And eventually… everyone listened.

— Lara

Why Indie Beauty Is Dead—And What’s Replacing It with Nader Naeymi-Rad

Nader Naeymi-Rad, Founder and Publisher of Beauty Independent, joins Lara Schmoisman to unpack the evolution of the beauty industry—from the death of indie beauty to the rise of professional founders, and what it really takes to build a brand that lasts.

We'll talk about:

• Why the “indie beauty” label is outdated—and what founders need to focus on instead

• The harsh truth about brand exits, celebrity equity, and investor-backed hype

• How Nader accidentally launched a movement that changed the industry

• What really separates a brand from a collection of products

• Why founder stories matter—but only when they're earned

• How to know if you’re building something that lasts (or just playing dress-up)

• The professionalization of beauty entrepreneurship—and why “passion” is not a business plan

For more information, visit Nader Naeymi-Rad's LinkedIn.

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