the sparkher 3/25

Hey Besties, welcome back!

WHAT’S INSIDE

• Navigating the quarter-life

• ICYMI, brainfeed, and things to send to the group chat

• Upcoming events & deadlines

• Her hustle & coffee: Shreya Aggarwal @ Caftari

LEVEL UP

As I approach the significant milestone of the quarter-century mark, I find myself feeling a touch lost, holding a compass that seems to point both everywhere and nowhere simultaneously. Yet, rather than diving into what might traditionally be labeled as a quarter-life crisis, I prefer to see this moment as a time for quarter-life reflections.

It's a period for pausing, looking back on the paths I've journeyed through, and asking myself, "Am I where I'm meant to be?" This introspection acts as the soul's method of inventory, sifting through experiences, dreams, aspirations, and yes, even those moments of feeling profoundly lost, to carve out a path that feels genuinely mine.

Feeling lost, I've come to understand, is not only a normal part of life but also a necessary one. It's life's gentle push for us to explore, question, and grow. Finding one's purpose is less about uncovering some monumental, life-altering truth and more about piecing together a mosaic of passions, interests, and experiences that uniquely represents me. I begin by posing questions to myself: Which activities cause me to lose track of time? Whom do I envy, and for what reasons? What would I pursue if fear of failure wasn't a factor? These inquiries act as beacons through the mist, leading me toward my true passions

Maintaining a connection to your purpose and staying motivated, particularly when the path ahead seems obscured, calls for a bit of practical magic. Here are a few strategies I use:

1. Keep a Purpose Journal: Write down moments when you felt truly engaged and alive. Revisiting these can serve as powerful reminders of what sets your soul on fire.

2. Create a Vision Board: A visual representation of your goals and dreams can be a daily source of inspiration. Include quotes, images, and anything else that resonates with your purpose.

3. Set Small, Achievable Goals: Breaking down your larger purpose into smaller goals makes the journey less daunting and more manageable. Celebrate each small victory to keep the momentum going.

4. Surround Yourself with Purpose-Driven People: They say you're the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Choose wisely, seeking out those who inspire you and share your values.

Your purpose is not a destination but a direction. It's perfectly okay to redefine and rediscover your purpose as you evolve. The most important thing is to keep moving, keep questioning, and keep aligning your actions with what feels meaningful to you. And on those days when the fog seems too thick, remember that every great adventure needs a bit of mystery to make it exciting.

BRAINFEED & SHAREABLES

• ICYMI – Reddit's stock made a grand entrance on Wall Street, soaring 48% on its first trading day, signaling a strong investor interest and potentially paving the way for more tech IPOs this year. Despite its journey from a niche message board to a major social media platform, and facing challenges like profitability and content moderation, Reddit's market debut has been closely watched for its impact on future tech listings and its novel approach to engaging its user base. With a significant payoff for early investors and an engaging story of growth and community, Reddit's IPO marks a noteworthy moment in the tech and financial landscapes.

• ICYMI – The U.S. Justice Department, alongside over a dozen states, has thrown a legal curveball at Apple, accusing it of monopolizing the smartphone market in an antitrust lawsuit that's grabbing headlines. This suit is part of a larger effort by the U.S. government to rein in the tech giants, with Apple being the latest to face scrutiny over its alleged stronghold on the market. The charges hinge on claims that Apple hasn't just been playing the game better but bending the rules to maintain its dominance, particularly through its app store practices and the so-called "walled garden" approach. Apple, standing by its ethos of innovation and user experience, is gearing up for a fight, marking another chapter in the ongoing debate over the balance of power in tech.

• 🎧: I’ve been alcohol-free for 200 days now (thoughts coming soon), but check out this podcast if you’re sober-curious.

• 📖: I dream of the day I have something to take to Shark Tank. Here’s what it’s like to pitch to the sharks.

• We talked potential conspiracy theories surrounding Kate Middleton’s disappearance. An update in case you haven’t heard - The Prince and Princess of Wales expressed deep gratitude for the global support following Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis announcement, reiterating their request for privacy during her treatment.

• TW: SA // "Quiet on Set" unpacks a ton of heavy stuff about Dan Schneider and Nickelodeon, flipping how we see those shows we grew up with. It’s a real eye-opener with celebs coming forward about a toxic work environment, making it a bit of a tough pill to swallow for anyone who held these shows close. 

• If you’re keeping up with March Madness, send me your bracket. Here’s mine 🤭. Of course I have UNC winning.

• Ian Somerhalder launched The Absorption Company – a first-of-its-kind powdered supplement brand prevent o increase bioavailability by up to 500% on vital nutrients. Even more impressive is the marketing.

• If you’re looking for a formal dress (like I am), here are some places I have found that I like: house of cb, oh polly, pepper mayo, murci uk, baby boo, miss circle nyc. & If you know of any places, please send them my way 😭

• What’s hot 🔥: Sleep, board game cafes, Rubirosa (if you’re in NYC, do yourself a favor and go to this place – it’s been 2 days and I’m still thinking about it)

• What’s not 🙅‍♀️: Flooding, wet jeans, drenched socks (i.e. referring to the rainstorm this past weekend)

• 🔝High of the week: I got an amazing haircut at 22 Pell, NYC – hot girls don’t gatekeep.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• 🗽: nextNYC: Hosting open VC office hours for startup founders from April 2nd-4th.

• (High school) : BobaTalks: They have a completely free summer program for high schoolers interested in sPM, UX Design, and Software engineering– definitely check it out.

HER HUSTLE & COFFEE

I love finding new coffee shops and meeting other female founders, so I started a series to share stories of female entrepreneurs at coffee shops around New York City.

Shreya Aggarwal, started a neuroscent candle company, Caftari.

Check out the full video interview here, or highlights from our conversation below.

Tell me about the story of why you started this.
“We work with neuroscientists to make the formula. So when we figure out which neurotransmitter it is that we want to evoke, we send that brief to our fragrance house in Grasse, France. And then we do consumer testing.”

What’s one piece of advice that you would give to other female entrepreneurs?
“Approach the world with a balance of curiosity and confidnece.”

📍Cafe Charlotte: 7/10 – So much space, great chai, hidden gem fr

Life is not measured by time. Life is measured by moments.

xoxo,
Prasiddhi
thinkers, founder

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