the sparkher 5/20

Hey Besties, welcome back! 

WHAT’S INSIDE

• Fresh flowers n tips

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

• Upcoming events & deadlines

• Her hustle & coffee: Caitlyn Kumi @ Miss Empowher

LEVEL UP

I love flowers as much as the next girl, but living in NYC, I’ve come to marvel at the sheer abundance of them, where almost every corner is graced by a bodega selling fresh blooms. This ubiquity isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a testament to the brilliance of the flower industry, a sector that has transformed urban corners into thriving mini-gardens. The flower business is a fascinating blend of logistics, marketing, and consumer psychology, and bodegas are a prime example of how to make flowers a staple of daily life.

Let’s take a closer look. The flower industry in the U.S. is a multi-billion dollar enterprise, driven by the perennial demand for fresh flowers. Bodegas have tapped into this market by making flowers incredibly accessible and affordable. They understand that the impulse buy is powerful—those vibrant bouquets catch your eye as you grab your morning coffee or evening snack. By placing flowers in high-traffic areas, bodegas turn a simple errand into an opportunity for a quick, mood-lifting purchase.

This strategic positioning not only boosts sales but also fosters a culture where fresh flowers are seen as everyday essentials rather than luxury items. The result? A steady stream of revenue and a loyal customer base who return weekly to refresh their living spaces with new blooms. And personally? An instant serotonin boost every time I see them in my home. It's a business model that brilliantly combines convenience with beauty, ensuring that flowers are never far from reach.

Now, buying flowers is one thing, but keeping them fresh is another. Here are some expert tips to ensure your bodega-bought blooms stay vibrant longer:

1. Trim the Stems: Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle before placing them in water to increase water absorption.

2. Change the Water Regularly: Refresh the water every two days, adding a few drops of bleach or a penny to prevent bacterial growth.

3. Remove Lower Leaves: Strip any leaves that would be submerged in water to avoid rot.

4. Feed Your Flowers: Use the flower food that comes with the bouquet, or make your own with a teaspoon of sugar, a teaspoon of vinegar, and a few drops of bleach in a quart of water. Don’t use the whole packet if you have a small bouquet! And always keep extra flower food around to make sure they’re being fed enough.

5. Keep Cool: Place your flowers in a cool spot, away from direct sunlight and heat sources, to extend their lifespan.

BRAINFEED & SHAREABLES

• ICYMI – Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker sparked outrage with his commencement speech at Benedictine College, where he criticized Pride Month and suggested women's primary fulfillment comes from marriage and motherhood. His remarks, including a misguided Taylor Swift quote, drew backlash from feminists, the NFL, and GLAAD, who slammed his outdated views. Critics argued that Butker's speech undermines women's career aspirations and promotes regressive gender roles, prompting the NFL to distance itself from his controversial stance. Watch the full thing here if you’re interested.

• ICYMI – We apparently can’t have nice things. The interactive portal connecting NYC and Dublin, designed for cross-cultural connection, was shut down after just a week due to "inappropriate behavior." The portal, created by Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys, was meant to promote unity and global understanding by allowing people to interact live across continents. However, users misused the live-streaming feature, displaying offensive images, gestures, and even disturbing content like photos of the Twin Towers. The shutdown was a disappointment, but it’s been re-opened with some new rules.

• Apple has been not doing too hot, from the iMessage blackout to the iOS 17.5 bug that made deleted photos reappear.

• Low-price chains are implementing means to increase profits (or rather, decrease loses): No more free refills at McDonald’s (and others might follow). Walmart is getting rid of self checkouts.

• How have I never seen this before – I think it’s kind of beautiful: heart shape created after galaxies collide.

• I just learned that paper straws aren't as good as we think… bring back those recycled straws (I hate the paper ones, they always get so soggy in my drinks)

• Can someone lmk… is Bridgerton really worth the hype (hot takes only)

• 🎧: Y’ALL. PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND LISTEN TO BILLIE EILISH’S NEW ALBUM. my favs: blue, chihiro

• 📖: TW: Abuse – Diddy assaulting his ex – this was painful to watch, but it’s important to share knowledge to stop supporting ppl like this ‼️. and on a lighter note, if you believe in horoscopes.

• What’s hot 🔥: friends making you playlists (s/o to my long distance friend for making me this fire one), summer in nyc

  What’s not 🙅‍♀️: long to-do lists

• 🔝High of the week: finally nice, sunny, and warm in nyc!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• 🗽: Venture Walk and Talk (5/22): First-ever Founders Committee Ventures Walk, happening on the iconic paths of Central Park in Manhattan. Opportunity to connect with founders + getting some exercise.

• 🗽: Tech Pickle ball (5/24): Coffee, Bagels, & Pickleball with the NYC tech community.

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.

Caitlyn Kumi, is the founder of Miss Empowher, a women empowerment brand.

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

Tell me about how you started this.
So many women have helped me become successful, so I wanted to pay it forward.

How do you balance your personal brand, work, and Miss Empowher?
Outsourcing and delegating.

What's one piece of advice that you would give to other female founders?
Prioritize your rest and fun just as much as your hustle.

📍Vineapple (71 Pineapple St): 5/10 – more of a sit down brunch place, fine chai

Whatever makes you feel the sun inside and out, chase that.

xoxo,
Prasiddhi
thinkers, founder

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