the sparkher 4/22

Hey Besties, welcome back!

WHAT’S INSIDE

• Taylor Swift’s business playbook

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

• Upcoming events & deadlines

• Her hustle & coffee: Drew Lederman @ Resist Nutrition

LEVEL UP

Have you ever wondered what makes Taylor Swift not just a successful artist but a brilliant business mogul? As I've been examining the strategies behind Taylor Swift's extraordinary success, it's clear she’s more than just a musical talent; she's a business powerhouse and there’s a lot any entrepreneur can learn from her playbook.

1. Engage Your Audience as Collaborators: Taylor Swift has mastered the art of audience engagement. She transforms fans into active participants by involving them in a narrative that feels like an ongoing conversation. Insight: We could take a page from her book by finding ways to make our customers feel like insiders, perhaps through interactive content or exclusive sneak peeks. This can create a deeper connection and loyalty.

2. Sell Experiences, Not Just Products: Each of TS’s albums launches more than just music—it launches an era. This approach turns each release into an event that her audience experiences together. Insight: Perhaps our businesses could focus more on creating memorable experiences around our products or services. An experiential approach could differentiate us in a crowded market and build stronger emotional connections with our customers.

3. Leverage the Power of Storytelling: Swift’s songs are compelling because they tell stories. Each track invites listeners into a vivid emotional landscape. Insight: We should consider how our own brand’s storytelling might be enhanced. Good storytelling can make a brand more relatable and its products more desirable.

4. Diversify to Reach New Audiences: Swift has navigated from country to pop to indie, each time reaching new audiences while keeping her core fanbase engaged. Insight: Diversifying our offerings might help us tap into new markets. It's worth exploring how extending our range could attract different customer segments without alienating our current base.

5. Embrace Change and Rebrand When Necessary: Swift’s ability to reinvent herself artistically has kept her relevant amid changing industry trends. Insight: It’s crucial for any business to stay adaptable, ready to pivot or rebrand to meet evolving market demands and consumer tastes.

Sharing these insights, I hope to illuminate how techniques from the entertainment industry can be translated into broader business practices. Taylor Swift's approach offers valuable lessons on building a resilient, engaging, and ever-evolving brand. Whether you're a startup owner or a seasoned entrepreneur, considering these strategies might just give your business the boost it needs to chart its own blockbuster path.

BRAINFEED & SHAREABLES

• ICYMI – The United Arab Emirates, one of the world's driest regions, experienced catastrophic flooding this week as unprecedented rainfall disrupted daily life across the country. Despite its advanced technology and innovative strategies to combat its harsh environment, Dubai was particularly hard hit, with rainwater flooding highways, inundating shopping malls, and causing significant damage. This unusual weather event, the heaviest in 75 years, raised questions about the role of human intervention, specifically cloud seeding. Instead, experts attribute this severe weather to human-caused climate change, underscoring the challenges of adapting to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns even as technological advancements like cloud seeding aim to mitigate water scarcity.

• ICYMI – Dr Pepper is introducing a new flavor, Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut, along with a zero-sugar version, debuting May 1. These new offerings combine the classic 23-flavor blend with a coconut twist and are marketed as the only coconut-cream-flavored dark sodas available. Available through July, the drinks align with Dr Pepper's strategy to innovate within the flavored soda category and capitalize on trends like "dirty sodas"—sodas mixed with flavored syrups and cream, popularized in Utah. This launch could attract consumers seeking unique flavor experiences and sugar-free options.

• 🎧: Taylor Swift’s new album & this warmer weather has me feeling some type of way, so this playlist 24/7

• 📖: Gut health is super important + there is a lot of false info out there. Here are some facts straight from the docs

• If you’re planning a trip any time soon, this was extremely helpful

• Girl’s trip mooood

• I’ve always found western medicine vs holistic healing really interesting. In my opinion, a healthy combination of both is the way to go. If you’re curious about how common health issues are handled on either side, check out this healing web (it’s so cool, imo).

• If you didn’t believe me about the insane fan base TS has built, look at this reaction video to TS releasing (unexpectedly) a double album. And this is just ONE of dozens of videos. + one about marketing.

• I’m so excited to watch Challengers this week – the reviews are already off the charts.

• What’s hot 🔥: Girl’s trips, time in the sun, Odele Curl cream, voice notes

• What’s not 🙅‍♀️: Sun burns, humidity, travel-acne (and travel-related gut issues)

• 🔝High of the week: A much-needed break in the sun with my besties.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• 🗽: Next NYC (4/23): Product marketing night for those interested in or already in product to meet in-person, connect, and share their most successful tactics.

• 🗽: Startups and Investors (4/24): Register to to gain ideas, experience, and valuable connections. You can even ​Showcase your startup in the Tech & Business!

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.

Drew Lederman, is the founder of Resist, a low-sugar protein bar.

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

Tell me about something that went wrong.
We felt really confident in our packaging when we were going to market. The main words on the front were not our brand name, [but to] show the functional benefits of the product. I started to realize that people did not know what the product was called. A bigger problem was that a company had trademarked. It was totally scary for a new company to get a cease and desist. In the end it was better for our business.

What is one resource that you would recommend to female founders?
Newsletters. Female startup club, female founder world, chase diamond marketing, the biddy co.

📍Cafe Integral (149 elizabeth street): 6/10 – Small, pretty good coffee

I’ve been thinking a lot about impact. Here’s something I’ll leave y’all with: success isn't just about what you accomplish in your life; it's about what you inspire others to do. 🤍

xoxo,
Prasiddhi
thinkers, founder

Sponsor us!