#231 - Tools I Actually Use to Save Time

#231 - Tools I Actually Use to Save Time

Author: Startup CPG January 13, 2026 Duration: 15:45
The Startup CPG Podcast
BusinessEntrepreneurship

In this solo episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, founder and CEO Daniel Scharff shares the tools he actually uses every day to save time and run his business more efficiently in 2026. None of these are sponsors or partners—just genuine recommendations from tools that have made a real difference in productivity.


Daniel breaks down his toolkit into four key buckets: Core Operating System (Superhuman for email management with snippets and reminders, Notion for project management, and Surfe for LinkedIn outreach automation), Back Office Solutions (Calendly for scheduling and Bill.com for invoicing), Content Creation Tools (Riverside.fm for high-quality recordings and ChatGPT for brainstorming and analytics), and Team & Talent Resources (Upwork for finding specialized contractors, LinkedIn Jobs for hiring, and offshore contractors for cost-effective team building).


Whether you're looking to master inbox zero, automate repetitive tasks, create better content faster, or build a lean team on a tight budget, this episode offers practical, tested solutions that Daniel uses at Startup CPG every single day.


Listen in as Daniel shares:

  • Superhuman: email snippets, automatic reminders, and inbox zero strategy
  • Notion: project management dashboards and team alignment
  • Surfe: automating LinkedIn outreach with personalized message templates
  • Calendly: group calendars and eliminating scheduling back-and-forth
  • Bill.com: invoicing with automatic credit card fee pass-through
  • Riverside.fm: high-quality content recording with AI-generated clips
  • ChatGPT: brainstorming, interview guides, and tighter wording
  • Upwork: finding specialized contractors for one-off tasks
  • LinkedIn Jobs: promoting job posts to find quality candidates fast
  • Offshore contractors: building cost-effective teams in Brazil, Philippines, Argentina


None of these are sponsors or partners of Startup CPG, these are actual tools that we use to save time.


To join our slack community, visit startupcpg.com


Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com. 

Show Links:

  • Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
  • Join the Startup CPG Slack community (30K+ members and growing!)
  • Follow @startupcpg
  • Visit host Daniel's Linkedin 
  • Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
  • Episode music by Super Fantastics


Behind every product on a store shelf, there's a story of risk, innovation, and relentless hustle. The Startup CPG Podcast, brought to you by the community at Startup CPG, digs into those stories where theory meets the messy reality of building a brand. You'll hear founders recount the pivotal moments that nearly broke their company and the breakthroughs that saved it, moving beyond polished success tales. Conversations often turn to the buyer's perspective, offering a rare look at what actually gets a product onto retail floors. The focus is relentlessly practical, dissecting supply chain snags, packaging dilemmas, and marketing strategies that cut through the noise. This podcast operates like a field manual for the trenches of consumer packaged goods, built on the belief that shared knowledge is the best advantage. Tune in for candid exchanges that feel more like a mastermind session than a broadcast, all aimed at demystifying the path to shelf space and sustainable growth.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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