Today we’d like to introduce you to Zack Anselm.
Hi Zack, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been building software for about a decade — mostly backend and data infrastructure by day, mobile by night. Before Therr I co-founded a startup, which is where I first got deep into React Native and learned how much of product work is really about deciding what to build, not just how.
Therr started as a location-based social app: a way to leave something useful behind in a physical place for the people who come after you. Over time it became clear that “social” isn’t one problem — it’s a dozen smaller ones, each of which deserves its own focused tool. So Therr, Inc. is evolving from a single app into an ecosystem of niche apps that share infrastructure and a common purpose. Friends with Habits is the newest of those.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not remotely. The hardest stretch came before any of the current AI tooling existed. I was maintaining a full mobile app plus the backend behind it essentially solo with some help from temporary interns and friends breaking into tech careers, and the surface area was enormous — builds, store compliance, API services, design. I burned out on it and let the project go quiet for a while.
Two things brought it back. One was becoming a parent, which is a brutal but clarifying constraint: with small kids you don’t get long uninterrupted stretches, so you either learn to ship in short focused bursts or you don’t ship. The other was AI coding tools. What used to be a weekend of grinding is now an afternoon of directing. That shift is the entire reason a portfolio of apps is even plausible for a small team — the cost of launching a focused app dropped far enough that “niche” stopped being a synonym for “not worth building.”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Therr, Inc. builds small, focused apps aimed at real social problems — tools for personal development and community enrichment rather than another feed to scroll.
The thesis is that general-purpose social platforms optimize for attention, and that’s why they’re bad at the things people actually want from them: showing up for each other, staying accountable, discovering what’s happening nearby. Narrow apps can optimize for outcomes instead. Friends with Habits is a good example — habits are hard alone and much easier when a few people you trust can see whether you followed through.
What sets us apart is the ecosystem approach. Each app stands on its own, but they share infrastructure and a philosophy, so they compound instead of competing. I’m most proud that we build things I’d want my own kids to use in ten years.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The most useful thing anyone can do is download the apps and tell us what’s broken or missing — early feedback shapes the roadmap more than anything else. Beyond that, we’re actively interested in partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and complementary apps whose audiences overlap with ours. And if you’re a builder who cares about this problem space, reach out — small teams with AI leverage can do a surprising amount, and we’re always open to collaborators.
Pricing:
- $20 for life time access to Friends with Habits
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.therr.app/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/therr/
