Personalized Wellness at Hatch:
Research, Strategy, and Feature Concept
This case study looks at one of the most talked-about products in sleep and wellness: Hatch.
As more people look for personalized ways to improve sleep and build better habits, Hatch has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, and TechCrunch for its approach to routines, behavioral science, and habit-building.
Why Hatch?
I love what Hatch is building! Helping people wind down, sleep better, and feel more in control of their routines. But like a lot of wellness products, staying engaged over time is the real challenge. My approach focuses on how Hatch can use personalization early on to meet people where they are, help them build routines that stick, and create a natural path into Hatch+.
User & Market Research
Who we're building for
Adults 25-45 juggling work, life, stress, and sleep issues
Busy professionals trying to create better routines
Parents looking for simple ways to wind down
College students, retirees, and anyone looking for better sleep who don’t need clinical care
What we want to learn
What does your current nighttime routine look like?
Where do you struggle with sleep or winding down?
What apps or workarounds are you using now?
What would success feel like? Is it better sleep, more energy, lower stress?
How much guidance vs. flexibility feels helpful?
How we’d approach it
1:1 user interviews (20-30 people)
Broader survey (300-500 responses) to validate themes
Diary studies to track routines over 2 weeks
Usability tests on onboarding, personalization, and routine setup flows
Industry trends
Demand for sleep and wellness apps keeps growing
Employers are offering wellness tools as benefits
Personalization and AI are quickly becoming expectations for users
The market is crowded, but most products still struggle to deliver true, personalized routines that stick
Competitive landscape
Direct
Calm
Headspace
Breethe
Aura
Indirect
Apple Health
Fitbit Premium
Oura