Security Check:
I’m Jesse, and I’m the President and Partner at Spartan. We build website, apps and startup technology platforms. 

What’s your historical Los Angeles and New York connection?
I’ve been in NYC for 6 years but just spent the most recent winter in Santa Monica. I was already traveling to LA for work and had enough with the cold. One of our products, ReadyCart was working closely with a lot of the LA-based MCN’s, so the professional and personal reasons for being in LA over the winter were too good to pass it up. The virtual nature of our business made the transition really easy.

Describe your experience in LA and your experience in NYC
New York is amazing for its volume. Volume in food, in people, in events, in opportunities. LA is amazing for its weather, creativity, passion for entertainment and its transplants. I’ve realized that most New Yorkers are from the tri-state. In LA, most people have come there as transplants from all around the world – to either attempt a career in “the industry” and/or feed the new craze in Silicon Beach. I’ve also noticed that people in NYC live for the moonlight, after hours. In LA, its all about the sunshine baby. Working in LA was great because I had more time to think. In NYC, my productivity is more measured by the amount of meetings and deals our business can close. I think there is a beautiful balance between both cities that I’m striving to achieve. As you can probably tell, I’m stlll in a reflection period.

What was the biggest challenge of moving from NYC to LA?
Giving up that weather in LA. It’s truly amazing. People in NYC complain about the weather. People in LA complain about the traffic. I spent most of my time on the West Side in LA, so my bike and uber were sufficient MOST of the time. I also noticed that LA’s social circles were much smaller. I consider it a good thing, but on the converse, the social diversity in NYC is endless, which probably gives NYC the +! in that department. I think the biggest challenge is making the decision on where most of my time needs to be spent. I was definitely more balanced in LA, because “balance” and “NYC” have never been synonyms. I’m at a time in my life where I like the sways in momentum.

How can LA and NYC best engage with each other?
Not to use an overbeaten term, but the “connected” nature of business today is too strong not to be able to work in both places. From straight up-influence in business, entertainment and innovation – NYC and LA are far and above the best cities in the US. I foresee spending my time in both places as much as possible for the rest of my life. I think young people in both cities are more similar than different. Having lived in NYC for 6 years and going to LA for 6 months, I assimilated immediately, without any hitches. That’s a pretty powerful realization especially when looking at both cities from the outside in they seem different. From the inside out, there is a passion for life in each place. Its about connecting those passions that will engage the cities together. Bi-coastal business and social events will continue to forge the bond.

Favorite LA secret spot
@RoseonPalms

Favorite NYC secret spot
Gramercy Terrace (lightbulb room)
What would you be doing if you weren’t working on what you are?
I admire Jimmy Kimmel. I want his life.

Inflight entertainment: tell us what you’ve been listening, reading, or watching as of late?
Suits on USA. Guilty pleasure.

From the 2462 Miles newsletter: connecting NEW YORK CITY + LOS ANGELES