Heron
Single-tasking focus timer. One task at a time; refuses to load a list.
by Ines Vasquez
Problem
Top 3 problems your customers face
Todo apps are anxiety machines
Seeing 47 open tasks is the reason you can't start any of them.
Pomodoro apps still show the list
The 'next task' bubble defeats the point of focusing on this one.
Notifications keep pulling people back
Slack, Mail, and even the timer app itself break the spell.
Solution
Top 3 features that solve these problems
Fullscreen one-task view
When the timer is running, the OS is hidden. macOS uses a private full-screen space.
Friction to add a second task
You can't queue up next; you finish or abandon, then type the next one.
End-of-session reflection
30-second 'what did I do?' prompt. Becomes the public-facing work log.
Unique Value Proposition
Single, clear, compelling message that states why you are different and worth paying attention
You type one task. That's the app.
No backlog, no list view, no projects, no tags. One task fills the screen.
Unfair Advantage
Something that cannot be easily copied or bought
Opinionated to the point of hostile
Adding a list view would 4x our users and kill the product. We won't.
Founder uses it to write the app
Dogfooding produces fixes that no PM-led roadmap would prioritize.
Channels
Path to customers
ADHD TikTok creators
Niche creators with 50k–200k followers convert at 8–12% on focus tools.
Hacker News launch
One Show HN post sets up the early-adopter base for the next 6 months.
University study-skills offices
Free site licenses to 3 universities; they recommend it to incoming freshmen.
Customer Segments
Target customers and early adopters
Knowledge workers with ADHD
Diagnosed or self-identified. Will pay for tools that meet them where they are.
Writers and researchers
Long-form work that doesn't fit in 25-minute pomodoros.
Students prepping for big exams
Bar exam, MCAT, qualifying exams — high-stakes, long-horizon focus need.
Key Metrics
Key activities you measure
Sessions per user per week
Below 3, the user churns within a month. Below 1, they already have.
Annual renewal rate
Target 70%+. Anything lower and we built a 'try once' novelty.
Cost Structure
Customer Acquisition Costs, Distribution Costs, Hosting, People, etc.
One developer
Founder only. Lives on $40K/yr until $200K ARR.
App Store cut + Stripe fees
~17% blended after Apple's small-business tier.
No paid acquisition
Strictly organic. Marketing spend $0/mo.
Revenue Streams
Revenue Model, Lifetime Value, Revenue, Gross Margin
$24/year, no free tier
Single price. No 'Pro'. Pay or don't.
Lifetime license $79
Old-school one-time-payment option; ~12% of customers choose it.