Solo Contractor Enterprise

A solo founder built a successful app for panic attacks called Rooted, achieving 2+ million downloads without paid marketing, operating with just contractors and no full-time employees.

Key Points:

• Product Focus:

  • App specifically targeting panic attacks
  • Features include panic button, lessons, breathing exercises
  • Keeps most features free to help maximum people

• Growth Strategy:

  • Dominated app store search for "panic attack"
  • Focused on narrow niche instead of broad terms like "sleep" or "anxiety"
  • Relied on App Store Optimization (ASO) instead of paid marketing
  • Leveraged organic growth through reviews and rankings

• Business Model:

  • Recently started monetization
  • Secured enterprise deals with healthcare companies
  • Provides service to 50,000+ members through healthcare gold plans
  • Generates over $1M in revenue

• Operations:

  • Solo founder with no prior tech experience
  • Uses overseas contractors for development
  • Handles all sales personally through LinkedIn outreach
  • Intentionally keeps team small with no full-time employees

• Deal Closing:

  • Sources leads through LinkedIn
  • Takes meetings personally
  • Closes enterprise healthcare deals directly
  • Maintains lean approach despite growth