Technology plays an important role in every day life – especially as a small business owner in New York City. Leslie Banker, owner of e-commerce site Empire Delicious, Nick Wood, owner of audio rental company Perpetual Audio Systems Inc., Julie Gaines, owner of Fishs Eddy, and Steph Moulton, co-owner of interior staging company Making Home, all shared the apps that they use on a day to day basis.
1. Mail: No matter the web address of an email, it can probably be used on a smartphone’s mail app. These four small business owners agreed that mail is the most important app in their daily lives. It allows them to respond to customers and employees quickly while giving them the availability to work on the go. Wood says mail is “the best communication conduit with clients and related vendors and institutions, while allowing accurate filing and dating records.”
2. Instagram: Gaines and Banker both listed Instagram as their second most important app because it allows them to market their brand while communicating with customers in a fun and inviting way. Banker says “Since Empire Delicious is a lifestyle brand, Instagram is the best way to share that lifestyle with our customers. Getting likes and comments means we are doing something right, and allows us to gauge how well a product will sell.”
3. Slack: Despite being a newer app, Slack is quickly gaining popularity. According to the Slack website, it “brings your communication together all in once place. It’s real-time messaging, archiving and searching for modern teams.” Gaines’ team at Fishs Eddy has tried to make her use Slack, but she says “I’m having trouble with it because it’s a whole new language. Everybody here has decided that Slack is going to make our world better.”
4. Waze: An unexpectedly useful tool is Waze, a GPS app with real-time traffic updates. Wood and Moulton both mentioned Waze, mostly because their companies involve travel to and from work locations. Wood says it is “necessary for estimating delivery times and possible difficulties,” and as Moulton points out, “driving in the city can be crazy. Waze is the best app to get around that and be on time for clients and set ups.”
5. Podcasts: An interesting app mentioned by Gaines was Podcasts. She claims they “inspire and motivate” her. Even though Podcasts may not be immediately useful to a small business, they can provide a source of ideas and knowledge. Fishs Eddy’s roots are in vintage, American-made dishware, so podcasts about New York City’s history constantly spark creative energy in Gains’ work.