Featured VentureMom – Carolyn Kelly Co-Founder of the Wyzr Friends App
One of my long-time friends has started an app!!! You go girl!!!! The genesis of Wyzr Friends was born out of a realization that there was a significant gap in the social networking space, particularly for adults in their 40s, 50s, and 60s.
We saw the need for a platform that goes beyond dating apps and caters to the specific interests and desires of this demographic for meaningful connections and social interactions. We wanted to create a space where individuals and couples, men and women, could find like-minded people, connect over shared activities, and build genuine friendships. The idea was to provide a safer (ID verification) and smarter (proprietary features) solution for enhancing the social lives of adults later in life, especially for those of us who are empty nesters and/or retired.
We connect people based on shared interest, mutual health & wellness goals, location and age. We’re not like the niche apps that focus on young adults and we’re not trying to be all things to all people like the mega dating/friendship/business networking apps. People in our age category continue to work, are active; they are athletes, academics and world travelers!
The name Wyzr Friends has an interesting story behind it. We wanted a name that conveyed the idea of connecting with friends for various activities and experiences, while also reflecting the innovative and forward-thinking nature of our app. “Wyzr” combines the words “wise” and “wiser,” signifying the wisdom and life experience that our target demographic brings to their friendships.
It’s about making wise choices in social connections and enhancing one’s social life in a smarter way. We believe Wyzr Friends encapsulates our mission of helping adults make meaningful connections and enjoy life’s adventures together.
Check out this start up story below that appeared in TechCrunch. My pal Carolyn is the second from the left.
Whether you’re an empty nester, divorcé or a newcomer looking to make friends in a new city, Wyzr Friends wants to be the go-to activity-based friendship app for adults 40 years old and up to connect with like-minded individuals, attend social events, arrange carpools and try new things.
The app works similarly to Bumble Friends, as you thumbs up or thumbs down people and message matches to get to know each other and arrange an in-person activity that both of you enjoy. For instance, you both may like watching movies, wine tasting, shopping, playing golf, cooking or hiking. There’s also an option to make a joint account with your significant other, which can be handy for setting up double dates.
In addition to shared interests, you can select from health and wellness goals to showcase on your Wyzr Friends profile, matching with people based on what you want to improve. Some examples include mindfulness, spirituality, finances, and career goals.
Many older adults find it harder to make friends, with approximately 35% of adults in the U.S. aged 45 years old and older admitting to feeling lonely. However, not many friendship platforms cater to this specific age group. The ones that do exist — Stitch, Amintro, Silversurfers, and Senior Chatz — are mainly online forums, chat rooms, or group experiences, making it difficult to form a one-on-one connection.
“A lot of these friendship apps are geared towards much younger people,” co-founder Taylor J told TechCrunch. “There’s nothing out there that’s geared towards people over 40 made by people over 40.”
Get the app where you get yours and support this VentureMom!!!
