Recently we had an opportunity to speak with Nazar Yasin, the CEO at Sol about Sol
Please share with us the backstory of what motivated you to create this app.
During COVID, many people I care about were going through a hard time. And it quickly became clear that not just my loved ones, but the entire world, was suffering from what has since been variously called a global "loneliness", "unhappiness", or "mental health" epidemic. I had recently learned via research at Columbia / Harvard / McKinsey and other institutions that the key to solving these kinds of symptoms is living with a sense of purpose, which can reduce things like anxiety, depression, addiction and even suicide by 60-80%. So I decided to try to create a simple way for anyone, anywhere in the world to be able to more easily find a way to live a life of purpose. That idea became Sol.
How is your app different than the rest of the market? Which unique need does it fill?
Sol starts at the core of who you are - what inspires you? what activities make you happy? how are you feeling? - and then surfaces activities and communities that fit you and that can help you to start to feel better. In so doing, we help you find a greater sense of belonging, purpose, and meaning in the world, no matter who you are or where you're from. To my knowledge, we are the only app with such a personalized and comprehensive approach to holistic wellness.
What is the coolest or most innovative feature of your app?
How personalized it is. When you share how you are feeling on Sol, you get instant suggestions on how to feel better, all customized and personalized based on who you are at your core. It's a pretty magical experience.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of the creation of this app?
The amazing feedback from users saying how this app has changed their lives and helped them discover more purpose and meaning in their lives. Here are a few examples:
1. Review from a teenage user: "I love this cute app, so much within 1 week I can see my results, to being alot happier and spiritually more connected with my body and mind"
2. Review from a 40+ user: "I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate this app. I was involved with a narcissist - my husband for 20 years who was extremely violent mentally and physically. I ended up in ICU fighting for my life for 3 months before I left. this app has saved my soul."
What surprised you most in your journey to create this app?
How challenging it would be! We've tried to take the last 10,000 years of human wisdom and cultural traditions from all over the world and put it into a smartphone format, personalizing it for each user. That is challenging enough, but navigating the ins and outs of the different app store platforms has been quite an adventure as well! It's been a challenging journey and it's not over yet but we are proud of how far we have come so far.
How did you decide which platforms to release your app on and do you plan on releasing your app to other platforms?
We want to make it easy for anyone, anywhere to start living a more purposeful life, so we launched on iOS and Android. Over time, we plan to add other platforms as well.
Which other mobile apps or technology have inspired you?
I'm a big fan of the design aesthetic of Airbnb and the functionality of Revolut.
What features do you hope to roll out to your app in the future?
It's a surprise! Stay tuned ;)
Do you have any recommendations or advice for others wanting to create a mobile app?
Stay focused, but be humble! The focus part is all about sticking with your overall product vision and what it is you want to provide to users. But the humble part is all about listening honestly to what your users have to say and actively incorporating their feedback. Be unyielding on the destination you have in mind, but be very flexible and humble when it comes to picking the specific route required to get there. It can be a tough journey but it can also be very fulfilling!