the sparkher 4/29

Hey Besties, welcome back!

WHAT’S INSIDE

• The art of connection

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

• Upcoming events & deadlines

• Her hustle & coffee: Kristie Chow @ Haute Line

LEVEL UP

Last night, as I celebrated turning 25 surrounded by friends from every chapter of my life, I realized the true power of following up and keeping in touch. Each person at that dinner table represented a different part of my journey—from a childhood friend who I gossiped about our innocent middle school crushes with, to the college besties who I grew closer to during COVID, to the entrepreneurial souls I’ve connected with through my Her Hustle series. What brought us all together wasn't just the occasion of my birthday, but the effort put into maintaining these relationships over the years.

To effectively keep these varied connections thriving, I've found a few strategies especially helpful:

• Regular Check-Ins: Drop a message or call on special occasions like birthdays or holidays. It shows you care and keeps the communication line open.

• Share Relevant Content: Send articles, videos, or memes that you think they'd enjoy. It’s a great way to say, "I thought of you," without needing a special occasion.

• Make Plans: Whether it’s a coffee meet-up, a Zoom call, or planning your next group get-together, making plans (and sticking to them) can reinforce the intent to stay connected.

• Acknowledge Achievements: Celebrate their successes, whether big or small, through a quick text or a comment on their social media posts. It shows you’re supportive and attentive to their life.

The beauty of bringing such diverse groups together is in creating a tapestry rich with varied experiences and perspectives, turning a simple dinner party into a mini-reunion of shared stories and new introductions.

In business and in life, the strength of our networks often lies not in the number of contacts we have, but in the quality of relationships we nurture. Whether it’s rekindling an old friendship or fostering a new professional connection, the act of following up is a testament to the value we find in each other. It’s these relationships that not only bring us together but also propel us forward, proving that sometimes, the simple act of reaching out can lead to the most meaningful collaborations and reunions. And to the friends who made my 25th so special, y’all are amazing.

BRAINFEED & SHAREABLES

• ICYMI – Recent pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses across the U.S. have led to conflicts with police and university administrators, resulting in over 800 arrests. The wave of activism began after Columbia University administrators promised Congress a crackdown, leading to 108 protester arrests on April 18. Arrests have been reported at several universities including Yale, NYU, University of Minnesota, and others, with police removing encampments and, in some cases, threatening academic consequences. The conflict has significantly impacted senior year traditions and commencement ceremonies for many university students across the United States. Divya Jakatdar, a senior at the University of Southern California, expressed disappointment as the university canceled its "main stage" commencement ceremony, citing safety concerns. This series of events has stirred considerable unrest and disappointment among students who had previously had their high school graduations disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, their college experiences are similarly affected, ending their academic journeys on a note of frustration and unfulfilled expectations.

• ICYMI – Outfox Hospitality, the Chicago-based operator of Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market, announced it will close all its store locations and is planning to file for bankruptcy. This development is a significant blow to the food retail landscape, especially for emerging brands. Foxtrot, known for its innovative approach to supporting smaller brands through its "Up and Comers" program, had been a vital platform for new brands looking to break into the retail space. The closure has left many vendors facing lost revenue and unrecovered inventory. With Outfox Hospitality previously reporting around 1,000 employees, the impact of the closure extends to its workforce, many of whom may face uncertain employment futures. This sudden shutdown has stirred concerns across the industry about the continuing support for local and emerging brands in an increasingly consolidated market.

• ICYMI – President Biden has signed a law requiring ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to divest its stake in the app within 165 days, extendable by 90 days, or face a U.S. ban. This decision stems from concerns over data privacy and national security due to the company's Chinese origins. Past attempts to ban TikTok have faced legal challenges and were deemed a violation of the First Amendment, indicating a potentially lengthy court battle ahead. If ByteDance fails to find a buyer—complicated by antitrust concerns among big tech companies—the app could be removed from U.S. app stores, though users might still access it via VPNs. This ongoing saga underscores significant geopolitical tensions and raises questions about the future of social media regulation.

• 🎧: In spirit of most of this newsletter being about turning 25, The Quarter Life Crisis

• 📖: Starting something after a layoff

• Some reflecting questions (s/o to a friend for sending this)

• Challengers review– okay. Hot take. I think the plot was bland, but the cinematography was phenomenal. + the soundtrack. If you’re going to watch it, it’s worth watching in theater just for that. It’s also based on a true couple??

• Best travel gear

• Interested in intermittent fasting?

• What’s hot 🔥: Dinner parties, mocktails, red velvet cakes

  What’s not 🙅‍♀️: Friends leaving after a weekend of fun </3

• 🔝High of the week: Celebrating my 25th surrounded by so much love

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• 🗽: Network and Pitch (5/2): Hosted by Founder Square. Register here.

• 🗽: Startups and Investors (5/1): Hosted by Startup Valley

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.

Kristie Chow, is the founder of HauteLine, a marketplace that brings together design and conscious consumption.

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

Tell me about how you started this.
After a few years in big tech, I decided to work at a fashion startup. I realized how massive the fashion industry is and how much waste there is in every part of the supply chain.

What is one resource that you would recommend to female founders?
The Female Founder Fund Podcast

📍Bee Public (181 front street): 7/10 – spacious, high ceilings, lovely people

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

xoxo,
Prasiddhi
thinkers, founder

Sponsor us!