Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental health, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ania Wysocka, the founder of Rootd, a panic attack and anxiety relief app.
Tell us all about your business...
Rootd is “anxiety and panic attack relief in your pocket”. It is the #1 ranked mobile app for Panic Attack and Anxiety Relief. The award-winning application blends stigma-breaking design, on-demand accessibility, therapist-approved exercises including a panic button, deep breathing tool, and guided body scan visualizations, and a caring blue monster companion named Ron, to help users during all stages of managing panic attacks and anxiety.
What's your background and motivation to grow as a business owner?
I started Rootd while managing my own panic attacks and anxiety. My personal experience inspired me to create a solution that would prevent others from ever needing to feel alone and unsupported, regardless of their circumstances or financial wellbeing. Anybody who wants help should have an option to find it. Heartfelt user reviews from users sharing how Rootd impacts their lives are a HUGE source of motivation and inspiration for me.
As an entrepreneur, what does success ultimately mean to you?
Reaching over 1 million users struggling with anxiety and panic attacks around the world and earning their testimonials and feedback generates the strongest sense of accomplishment with Rootd.
Providing support to health and frontline workers during the pandemic was another source of purpose that felt like a great accomplishment as well.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being an entrepreneur?
Maintaining my own sense of "rootd" while running a bootstrapped business :) I love working on Rootd but at the end of the day it presents a never ending list of challenges and opportunities that l could be working on 24/7. I have to be mindful about finding time to unwind, relax and maintain a social life or else I can fall behind in these areas. Balance is key and it's important to me to incorporate the relaxing and mindful parts of Rootd into my life daily.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a small business today?
1. Set monthly goals. I love to set monthly goals for myself that don’t have to do with my business - they’re often related to fitness or learning. I love checking the completion off on my calendar, and knowing I’m working towards something.
2. Keep reading. Reading is such a timeless way of taking a break or getting our minds off work at the end of the day. I tend to read non-fiction when I’m feeling inspired or determined, and lighter or historical fiction - even a good comic - when I really want a break from my current day-to-day or worries.
3. Check in with your values. Sometimes gaining more agency in our work or experiencing successes and failures can make us change in unexpected ways. I try to take some time, usually once a quarter, to list my current values and see if they align with what I felt before. I believe there are core parts of us that don’t change, and others that change through growth and experience. Line these up against one another and see whether they match or how they’ve changed, and how it feels.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Rootd is available on the App Store, Google Play Store and via enterprise plans. Reach out to team@rootd.io with any questions :) We love to hear from users!
Where can people find you online?
https://www.rootd.io/
https://www.instagram.com/rootd_app/?hl=en
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as an entrepreneur or business coach that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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