This article is sponsored by City National Bank. It does not reflect the work or opinions of NBC BAY AREA's editorial staff. To learn more about CNB, visit cnb.com.
To an outsider, today’s flourishing startup scene might look like Gold Rush 2.0, a rags to riches world where tee shirts and jeans are the new work attire and overnight valuations can rival the GDPs of small countries.
But the reality to startup success is far less glamorous and far more practical. Turns out that an innovative idea and a lot of hard work remain the keys to success. Meaning today’s tech entrepreneur needs to live and breathe his or her business, especially when email, mobile devices and other modes of connectivity have all but demolished the work-life divide.
The trick then — as any multitasking business owner will tell you — is staying organized. Luckily, there’s a plethora of platforms, apps and other services at your disposal to keep you on top of the myriad tasks dotting your to do list.
That’s why NBC BAY AREA's The Entrepreneur spoke to five of San Francisco’s most exciting startup CEOs to see what three services help them stay ahead in both business and life.
With a variety of financial services, City National Bank is well equipped to handle all the needs of the modern entrepreneur. From securing startup capital to personal wealth management, CNB is the banking partner you can depend on as you continue to grow and expand your business – providing the financial solutions you need to meet your objectives.
Ready to take your business to the next level? Take some organizational tips from five inspiring local CEOs already making it happen.
Alejandro Resnik
CEO and cofounder of Beepi, a national peer-to-peer marketplace of pre-owned cars
- DoorDash
With a collaborative culture and office packed with smart people vying for my time, I’ve been guilty of getting so immersed in a project or meeting that I miss a meal. DoorDash allows me to order food from my favorite local restaurants, arriving at my office in minutes. - Zendesk
Zendesk, our customer support platform, provides deep insights into our customers satisfaction and challenges. It lets me connect with my customers in one touch, so I can understand real time trends and lead the team in making important changes. - Nest Cam
In addition to being the CEO of Beepi, my proudest role is father of two little girls. I use Nest Cam to check in on my kids and watch them grow while I’m working late or traveling to one of our many operations centers.
Ari Roisman
CEO and co-founder of Glide, a live video-messaging app
- Sunrise
I like the interface, design and simplicity of this calendar app. It's easy to toggle between day and month views, and the design is generally intuitive. Plus, with one tap, I can quickly email a group, which is a feature that I use quite a bit. - Inbox by Gmail
Thanks to features [like highlighting an email’s important information and sending you reminders], Inbox literally turns your email into a to do list. It's got a very clear interface, and I like the gestures that resemble those from the old Mailbox app. Inbox really makes it easier to stay on top of, well, your inbox. - Glide
Because we don’t require users to be online simultaneously, Glide is perfect for enabling me to stay in touch whenever I have time to send a message to my team. Plus, with my travel schedule it's the perfect way for me to keep in touch with my family. They can message me from California and it'll be there waiting for me to watch and respond to when I wake up in Israel.
Walker Williams
CEO and co-founder of Teespring, a platform for creating t-shirts and other custom apparel
- Gmail with the Boomerang app
The simplicity of Gmail, combined with the Boomerang app (which allows me to get reminders when I don't receive replies) allows me to keep chaos of my inbox organized. I never have to think about following up on emails where I didn't get a reply, or worrying that something important will fall through the cracks. - Evernote
I'm a big notes taker, whether I'm in a meeting or I'm out getting coffee and have an idea. I used to use the pen and paper approach, but found that organizing my scribbles into cohesive thoughts later was frustrating, and that carrying a notebook everywhere was impractical. Evernote changed my workflow by turning my phone into a mobile notebook and allowing me to search, tag and sort my notes. - Lyft and Uber
My life would be entirely different without on-demand transportation. It gives me flexibility I wouldn't otherwise have, and also allows me to optimize my time. No more getting a taxi 30 minutes in advance in case it's late, or watching time evaporate while navigating the subway.
Jamie Pardi
CEO and Chairman of GAGA, a CRM platform providing revenue, sponsorship and branding opportunities for athletic teams
- Google Suite
Given my lifestyle and professional commitments around the globe, I would be lost without Google. Not because their maps are so dialed in, but because they manage/synch my mail, have Google Analytics for our digital efforts, Google Voice for quick answers, Google Docs for remote organizational collaborating and sharing, and most importantly keep my calendar synched across timezones. - City National Bank
Of all the banks I have worked with or met with, City National Bank knows and caters to my lifestyle, tech startups and entrepreneurs. Their low interest credit cards get me into the best lounges at airports and their service staff visits my office to pick up checks or drop off contracts to sign etc. They truly make banking easy. - Uber
My business requires me to travel domestically and internationally. Time is something I don’t have a lot of so when pickups happen sub-10 minutes after a request is made in just about every city I go to, I become that much more efficient and effective on the road.
Mark Gainey
CEO and co-founder of Strava, an app and social platform allowing cyclists and runners to track their workouts and compete with friends
- Asana
My go-to app for all to-do lists and project management. I keep it super easy -- lists in various categories that I can check off when complete. Always feels good to complete a list! - Slack
Our primary mode for communication inside Strava. I tend to review channels late at night. It is indispensable for connecting with teams and individuals within the company. - Strava
How could I not include my favorite app of all time? Keeps me connected to my friends, keeps me pushing and is always entertaining!
To learn more about what City National Bank can do for you and your business, visit cnb.com.
