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This app made over $1M

#Make money
2025-10-10 18:139 min read

Content Introduction
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In this episode of Starter Story, Anya, the founder of the app Rooted, shares her journey of creating a mental health tool that offers panic attack relief without any prior coding experience. Since its launch in 2019, Rooted has achieved over four million downloads and generated a million in revenue. Anya recounts her personal experience with panic attacks that inspired her to develop this app. She discusses the initial challenges, her approach to building the app using wireframes, and her focus on user feedback. Anya emphasizes the importance of listening to users and maintaining a high-quality experience, which has been crucial to the app's success. She also highlights marketing strategies, such as active social media engagement and press releases that helped Rooted gain visibility. Finally, Anya provides guidance for aspiring developers on how to validate their app concepts and create a supportive community around their projects.

Key Information

  • Anya is the founder of the app Rooted, designed for panic attack and anxiety relief, which has been downloaded over four million times and generated over a million in revenue.
  • Despite having no coding experience, Anya created Rooted by outlining her ideas on paper and eventually teaching herself to create wireframes using design software.
  • The app includes features like an SOS button, breathing tools, lessons on anxiety, and journaling capabilities to aid users during panic attacks.
  • The growth of Rooted was initially slow, but it gained traction through active social media engagement, press releases, and app store optimization leading to organic growth.
  • Anya emphasized the importance of listening closely to user feedback, maintaining a good app rating, and celebrating small wins during the development process.
  • She shared insights on balancing app development with a full-time job and how she made the decision to go full-time with Rooted when the revenue allowed her to do so comfortably.

Timeline Analysis

Content Keywords

Rooted

Rooted is an app designed for Panic Attack and Anxiety Relief, founded by Anna, which has been downloaded over four million times and generated over a million dollars in revenue since launching in 2019.

App Development

Anna built the Rooted app without technical background by sketching ideas and eventually creating wireframes in Photoshop and Illustrator, before collaborating with a student developer to launch the MVP.

Mental Health

The app serves individuals experiencing panic attacks by providing tools, lessons on understanding anxiety, breathing exercises, and resources to help manage their symptoms.

Growth Strategy

The growth of Rooted was achieved through active social media engagement, press releases, and strong app store optimization, which collectively helped reach millions of downloads.

User Feedback

User reviews are instrumental in guiding the improvement of the app; maintaining a high rating of 4.8 fosters trust and encourages new downloads.

Support and Resources

Rooted provides users with coping strategies for panic attacks, along with lessons and journals to track their progress and feelings, supporting mental wellness effectively.

Advice for New App Builders

To succeed in app development, concentrate on product quality, listen closely to user feedback, and frequently optimize your app for continuous improvement and relevance.

Celebrating Success

Founders should celebrate small wins throughout their journey, as acknowledging progress helps foster a positive mindset and helps maintain motivation through challenging times.

Related questions&answers

What is Rooted and what problem does it solve?

Rooted is an app for Panic Attack and Anxiety Relief that offers resources and tools to help users manage their anxiety and panic attacks.

How many times has Rooted been downloaded?

Rooted has been downloaded over four million times.

What inspired the creation of Rooted?

The inspiration for Rooted came from the founder's personal experience with panic attacks during her university years, where she struggled to find helpful resources.

What features does Rooted offer to users?

Rooted offers a panic attack button, breathing tools, lessons on understanding anxiety, and a journal tool for users to express their feelings.

How did the founder manage to build this app without a technical background?

The founder started by sketching her ideas and learning to create wireframes in tools like Photoshop and Illustrator, eventually partnering with a student developer to build the app.

What marketing strategies did Rooted use for growth?

Rooted used active social media engagement, press releases, and a strong focus on app store optimization.

What was the growth timeline for Rooted?

In the first year, Rooted reached around 10,000 downloads, then 100,000 in the second year, and hit a million downloads in year three.

What should someone do if they have a personal problem and want to build an app like Rooted?

They should listen closely to potential users, understand their needs, and consider launching a minimum viable product (MVP) to get feedback.

What advice does the founder have for new app developers?

Focus on building a product that truly delivers what users need, continuously listen to feedback, and celebrate small wins along the way.

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