Ania is the founder of Rootd, an app for anxiety and panic attack relief. Rootd is a passion for her, and she happily dedicates most of her time and energy to it, but she still loves and finds time for things like running, yoga, journaling, reading, and exploring new cultures and languages.
In your own words, what’s your role in the app business right now?
My role is founder and CEO. I lead the business, do all of Rootd’s design and in-app content creation as well as project manage the technical development, marketing campaigns, and user support efforts.
How did you end up working in apps?
During my last year of university, I experienced my first panic attack, seemingly out of nowhere. In that time of uncertainty, confusion, and loneliness, I couldn’t find the support I needed or that spoke to my demographic.
Exhaustive personal research and my journey working with mental health professionals combined with my love for graphic design and entrepreneurship inspired me to create Rootd – an accessible resource to help anyone in need navigate their own journeys overcoming anxiety and panic attacks.
You are the founder of Rootd, so you have gone through all the hurdles of launching an app. In your opinion, what’s the most challenging / difficult part of launching an app?
In my personal experience, technical development has been the most challenging part of launching an app. In my case, coding an app is the one major area I’m not able to do myself, and so at times it feels out of my control, and at times there seem to be mysterious bugs that are out of anyone’s control and for a short painful period refuse to go away. I’ve learned that every challenge and hurdle can be overcome, but certainly there can be frustrating and discouraging moments.
What advice would you give to people who want to launch / grow an app?
I think many people with ideas for amazing apps worry that they’d need to raise a big round of investment or spend a ton of money for an agency to develop the app for them, and that worry can either prevent them from ever pursuing their dream or leave them with a big financial burden from the start. My advice would be to not discount bootstrapping. Bootstrapping can be a lot of work and lonely at times, but it can definitely be a very viable and rewarding option too, as it has been for Rootd.
What are you most excited about in apps right now?
In general, I am so excited to keep spreading Rootd’s support to more and more users in more and more countries. iOS 16’s lock screen widgets and App Intents seem interesting too, so I look forward to exploring how to integrate them into Rootd too.
What other companies in the app space do you rate/ inspire you and why?
I feel inspired every time I see another female-founded and led app being featured on the app stores. Headspace and Calm also stand out as examples of how massive an impact mental health support apps can have on the world, and it’s always motivating when Rootd is mentioned alongside them in articles, or when we sign a new partnership and see those apps listed among the other partners.
What do you like most about working in apps?
Definitely the user reviews. I feel very fortunate that Rootd receives such incredible, heartfelt user reviews on a daily basis from people all over the world, whose lives have been positively impacted by my app. This is my main source of motivation and inspiration.
What one thing would you change about the app industry?
I’m having so much fun I almost want to say I don’t want to change anything, in case that change causes an unexpected domino effect! But it would be nice if we could magically have access to crystal clear attribution and analytics information, without needing to deal with third-party SDKs, and while fully respecting end-user privacy.
What is the future of apps going to look like according to you?
I think the user experience will become more and more seamless. We’ll see increased blending between the user’s phone, watch, tablet, and even headset – the best apps will almost feel like a natural extension of the user.
If you weren’t working in apps what would you be doing?
I’d love to work on other social impact causes, alongside inspiring entrepreneurs, and to work on a project in memory of my mother. For sure, I’d still be doing other things that I’m already doing for my mental health and well-being, e.g. running, journaling, yoga, and traveling.
iOS or Android?
Rootd is available for both. 😃
Any Netflix / TV show recommendations?
I think The Office is my all-time favorite. I’ve probably had every single season repeat multiple times in the background while working on Rootd over the past few years. I also rewatched The Big Short a few days ago and enjoy that one every time.
What’s on your Spotify or music party playlist?
I like to see where my Discovery Playlist leads me – and that’s usually to some lofi beats or RnB when focusing and Reggaeton during breaks.
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