# #231 - Tools I Actually Use to Save Time

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-01-13
- Length: 14m
- Episode: 246
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-01-13-231-tools-i-actually-use-to-save-time
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/e1eb8300

## Summary

Daniel Scharff, founder and CEO of Startup CPG, details the specific software and hiring strategies he uses to run his business efficiently. He categorizes his toolkit into core operations (Superhuman, Notion, Surfe), back-office solutions (Calendly, Bill.com), content creation (Riverside.fm, ChatGPT), and talent acquisition (Upwork, LinkedIn Jobs, offshore contractors). Scharff emphasizes how these tools reduce administrative friction, automate outreach, and enable the hiring of cost-effective, specialized remote teams without agency fees.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Daniel Scharff and Startup CPG's Efficiency Philosophy
2. Core Operating System: Superhuman, Notion, and Surfe
3. Back Office Solutions: Calendly and Bill.com
4. Content Creation: Riverside.fm and ChatGPT
5. Talent Acquisition: Upwork, LinkedIn Jobs, and Offshore Contractors

## Topics

- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Superhuman (tool)
- Notion (tool)
- Surfe (tool)
- Calendly (tool)
- Bill.com (tool)
- Riverside.fm (tool)
- ChatGPT (tool)
- Upwork (tool)
- LinkedIn Jobs (tool)
- Startup CPG (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep. 3 - Tools While Scaling Up; How Much Structure is Too Much?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-08-24-ep-3-tools-while-scaling-up-how-much-structure-is-too-much) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)
- [The Sims for Founders: What Agent-First Companies Actually Look Like](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2026-03-31-the-sims-for-founders-what-agent-first-companies-actually-look-like) (Built 2 Scale)
- [Tool of the Week Segment | Episode 35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2026-02-10-tool-of-the-week-segment-episode-35) (Built 2 Scale)
- [Episode 60: Don’t match your socks](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-02-26-episode-60-dont-match-your-socks) (Making It)
- [Tool of the Week Segment | Episode 31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2025-12-04-tool-of-the-week-segment-episode-31) (Built 2 Scale)

## Citing this page

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