the sparkher 10/14

Hey Besties, welcome back! Like, actually back. I know, it’s been a while – I really said ✌🏽out for a few months. So, for those of you that have stuck around, ily. & for those of you that are new, welcome! It’s going to be way better (and potentially more unfiltered– pov: you’re on a ft call with me).

WHAT’S INSIDE

• A love letter to my friends and day 1 supporters 💖

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

• Upcoming events & deadlines

• Her hustle & coffee: Mitalee @ Transcendence

LEVEL UP

This is a love letter to the ones who stand by our side when we can’t see the path ahead—the friends who know when we need a gentle nudge, even when we don’t.

I really thought sparkher was just something “I once did” and had left behind. I was so close to letting go of something that once was a fun part of my weekend (sharing part of me with all of you!). Life became chaotic, and writing this newsletter just seemed too much. But what I didn’t realize was that I didn’t need to go it alone. My friends saw what I couldn’t—they saw the spark (pun totally intended) still burning inside me, and they refused to let me forget it.

With their encouragement, sparkher is back, and it’s bigger than ever (hello new subscribers). But more than the newsletter’s revival, what touched me most was the realization of just how much power we hold for one another. Sometimes, all it takes is one friend, one word, or one little push to help us find our way again.

Maybe your friend needs that push right now. Maybe they’re stuck, unsure, or afraid to take the next step. Be the one who reminds them of their light. Tell them they’re capable, worthy, and that their dreams are worth fighting for.

Because here’s the truth: that small act of encouragement can change everything. You might think it’s just a conversation, just a reminder—but to them, it could be the moment that shifts everything back into focus. The moment they find the courage to keep going.

Friendship is so much more than just being there for the easy moments. It’s about showing up for the hard ones, too—the times when our loved ones can’t quite see their own potential. When we remind each other of what we’re capable of, we lift each other higher.

I know this was a little sappy, but this is my love letter to the friends who see us, who believe in us, and who give us that little push when we need it the most (thank you 🥹).

BRAINFEED & SHAREABLES

• ICYMI – Kamala Harris going on Call Her Daddy was such a smart move for reaching younger women in a space they actually engage with. The podcast is huge, and it's known for real, unfiltered conversations about everything from dating to mental health, so having Harris on to talk about women’s issues felt like a natural fit. It made politics feel more accessible and relatable, especially to people who might not always tune into traditional news or interviews. By joining a platform where these important conversations are already happening, Harris was able to connect with a younger, female-driven audience in a way that felt authentic and relevant.

• ICYMI – Insurance companies in California and Florida are pulling out of high-risk areas due to the increasing frequency of wildfires and hurricanes like Milton. Major players like Allstate and State Farm are limiting new policies, leaving homeowners with higher premiums. On top of that, stocks for insurance companies are tanking as they struggle with skyrocketing claims and reinsurance costs, particularly in Florida, where premiums have nearly quadrupled compared to the national average. This volatility has led to significant market destabilization and rising costs for consumers.

• Hurricane relief funds (a creator I follow made this!)

• The founder of the “Happy Meal” concept for McDonalds is actually a female business owner who opened the first McDonalds in Guatemala! Important marketing lesson, though: it’s not about who does it first, it’s about who markets the best.

• Love this TEDTalk on how much time we spend on screens

• I’ve used my new Dyson Airwrap ID for 1 week and I adore it. My hair feels so much healthier. Should I make tutorials?? Even though I’m only figuring out how to use it lol.

• Loving my sweaters for this fall

• Uber’s taxi to LGA is going to be $18?! I’m skeptical that it’s actually going to work though because I feel like there will only be a limited number of people who are actually able to book. P.S. check out how Matt James gets to the airport.

• Oura just sent me a notification that they’re getting rid of the symptom radar?! Which, if you didn’t know, told you that you were getting sick before you even knew… that was like 80% of the reason I bought it?!

• 🎧: I’m obsessed with this playlist (biased, maybe because I made it, but it’s actually good). Perfect for a laying around fall day.

• 📖: If I can recommend one thriller book to y’all… it’s Never Lie. It was so good, I couldn’t put it down and I couldn’t wait to keep reading it. Finished it in <24 hours. I’m hooked, and if you have thriller recommendations, then pleaseeee reply to this email and send ‘em my way.

• What’s hot 🔥: my airwrap (literally), the fall weather (less literally), chill week at work

  What’s not 🙅‍♀️: Best Pizza in Williamsburg (inaccurate, just mid), people leaving their pets behind during a storm 💔

• 🔝High of the week: I tried an Aerial Yoga class – I have never felt happier after a workout.

BITES

This is a brand new section. I’ve decided to share one restaurant, cafe, bar that I’ve loved recently with all of you. Let me know when you try it <3. This week, I most recently tried Din Tai Fung.

Some history on the popularity of DTF: It started out in Taipei back in 1958 as a little cooking oil shop, founded by Yang Bingyi. But when oil sales started to dip in the 1970s, the owners decided to pivot and try something new—dumplings! And that’s when the magic happened. Their xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) became an instant hit (unfortunately not vegetarian or vegan friendly. In 2009, their Hong Kong location got a Michelin star, making Din Tai Fung and they opened locations globally.

My thoughts: I actually tried this place back in 2019 in their Seattle location. I thought it was awfully mid. I do not remember there being many vegetarian options, but their NYC location completely changed my views. It was super vegetarian friendly + the ambience was 10/10. I highlighted things I definitely wouldn’t skip.

What I got and liked: Honey lemonade, cucumber, spicy vegan wontons in chili oil, spicy sesame noodles, vegan bun, chocolate dumplings (seriously, I don’t care that you’re not a dessert person, just get them). Not specifically ordered, but their chili oil is 1000/10.

What I wouldn’t get: green beans. I don’t like them in general, but I thought this could change my mind. Would skip!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• 🗽: Lynx Collective (10/17): Female founder dinner!

• 🗽: Digilogue Days (10/18-19): ​​​The Digilogue is hosting a week of events for music + tech lovers. There’s an entire week of programming leading up to networking opportunities, career fairs, headshot opps, performances, and more.

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.

Mitalee Bharadwaj, is the co-founder of Transcendence Coffee, creating natural, globally-influenced flavored syrups.

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

Why is this important to you?
I really saw a space for making better, higher quality syrups with more interesting, globally inspired syrups.

What is the boldest decision you’ve made?
We were still raising capital and I used personal credit cards up to 30K. It was so worth it.

What was your “I’ve made it” moment?
We were in Food & Wine in print. To see a food editor you really look up to say good things about your product, it felt like we’re headed in the right directions.

📍The Lost Draft (398 Broome St): 7/10 – hard to find a seat sometimes! Saw Matthew Grey Gubbler here (for the second time!!!)

You aren't stuck in traffic; you are the traffic. (I’m not sure if this is supposed to be motivating or just thought-provoking. Take it as you wish).

xoxo,
Prasiddhi
thinkers, founder

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