After earning his degree from Auburn University’s entrepreneurship program in 2012, Clint Jarvis returned to Atlanta driven by inspiration and ambition.
Having supported numerous startups and later creating the social app gottaGolf, which saw success before its acquisition in 2017, Jarvis initially appeared to be living the tech dream.
However, he soon confronted a harsh reality: burnout and a relentless addiction to the instant gratification provided by smartphones.
“I was plugged in 24/7 and working just to work,” the 35-year-old Jarvis admitted.
Between his computer and phone, he found himself checking emails over a hundred times a day.
This cyclical pattern led him to a pivotal realization, prompting a shift towards mindfulness and wellness.
His initial vision for a nature-centric app named Roots, intended to provide soothing forest sounds and meditations, quickly evolved.
While testing the app with beta users, it became evident that cellphone addiction was a pressing issue, overshadowing the app’s original purpose.
With the gained insight, Jarvis redirected Roots toward helping users combat mindless scrolling—an obstacle many faced.
Funding the project’s early stages from the proceeds of his gottaGolf sale, Jarvis fully launched Roots in 2024.
To date, he has secured about $700,000 in funding and built a dedicated team of four spanning from Sweden to India.
Currently, Roots has approximately 50,000 registered users worldwide, with significant growth noted in the last two months.
Similar to other wellness applications that track sleep and exercise, Roots introduces a system to measure users’ digital dopamine levels.
By monitoring aspects such as heart rate, sleep patterns, and physical activity, the app offers a holistic view of users’ online habits.
Furthermore, Roots allows individuals to limit their daily usage of addictive platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, effectively serving as a digital safeguard.
Jarvis refers to these features as “guardrails,” designed to help users take control of their online experiences.
The app also features a downtime function, preventing access to social media apps outside designated times, encouraging healthier daily routines.
One of the app’s standout components is its suggestion of alternative activities to replace excessive scrolling.
Notably, Jarvis highlighted his personal favorite: reading, as he now finds joy in a growing stack of books.
Offering a base version for free, Roots also provides a premium tier costing $10 a month or $60 annually.
This advanced version unlocks additional features, including unlimited app blocks and a unique “monk mode,” which prevents users from deactivating the app entirely.
To engage users further, Roots incorporates a tracking feature that gamifies the experience.
Starting with a daily balance score ranging from 50 to 100, users receive visual feedback based on their usage—blooming trees symbolize healthy habits, while withered flora indicates regression.
Successfully adhering to their goals for a month earns users the chance to allocate “pauses,” allowing for guilt-free extended scrolling breaks.
The impact of Roots can be seen in testimonials from users like Susie Ade from Ormewood Park.
Having adopted Roots at its launch, she now restricts herself to 15-minute daily sessions on social media, noting how it has transformed her presence in family life.
Conversely, Sally Iskandar Tan from Indonesia shares a more tumultuous story.
Balancing severe dry eye disease stemming from screen overuse, she turned to the upgraded version of Roots after previous attempts to curb her habits failed.
“Now my mood is much better; I’m happier, more patient, and more present in the moment,” Tan reflected, highlighting the app’s profound effect on her daily life.
As more users connect with Roots, Jarvis remains committed to fostering a healthier relationship with technology.
image source from：atlantamagazine
