LLM Context
About
BestSelf.co creates research-backed analog tools that help people achieve goals, deepen relationships, and live intentionally. Our products are trusted by entrepreneurs, therapists, educators, and families to build better daily systems.
Founded by Cathryn Lavery in 2015, BestSelf was acquired by a private equity firm in 2022 and reacquired by Cathryn in 2024 to restore its original mission: helping people live with more focus, connection, and intention.
Brand Positioning
- Mission: Help people live with intention, connection, and focus
- Core Values: Craftsmanship, clarity, emotional intelligence, science-backed simplicity
- Design Ethos: Apple-level elegance meets real-world usability
Brand Origin
Cathryn Lavery started BestSelf in 2015 after struggling to find a planner that combined behavioral psychology with real-world productivity. The original Self Journal raised over $300,000 on Kickstarter and became a best-selling tool for intentional living. After scaling the company and selling it to PE in 2022, Cathryn bought it back in 2024 and is now building it for long-term impact.
Cathryn shares her founder journey, product insights, and behind-the-scenes experiments on her personal site:
Flagship Products
✍️ Productivity & Goal-Setting
Tools that help you plan, execute, and reflect — without digital distraction.
- Self Journal 13-week undated planner for daily structure, goal tracking, and habit reflection.
- Self Planner 6-month weekly planning system for strategic thinkers with monthly reviews.
- Daily Action Pad Tear-off pad for high-impact daily execution with clarity and momentum.
- Win the Day Pad Daily pad for gratitude, priorities, and task execution.
- Scribe Guided notebook for journaling, ideation, or daily writing.
❤️ Relationships & Connection
Products that spark depth, clarity, and emotional intimacy in conversation.
- Intimacy Deck 150+ prompts across 6 categories to deepen romantic relationships.
- Deeper Talk Deck Deep-cut conversation prompts for introspection and vulnerability.
- Icebreaker Deck Fun, surprising questions for social settings or team-building.
- Relationship Deck Guided questions to foster communication and long-term connection.
- Values Deck Clarify individual and shared values through structured dialogue.
👨👩👧 Kids & Families
Tools for emotional intelligence, goal setting, and healthy routines in young minds.
- Little Hero’s Journal 13-week guided journal that builds confidence and intentionality (ages 7+).
- Little Talk Deck 150+ prompts that help kids open up and express emotions.
- Win the Day Pad – Kids Edition Visual, daily routine planner that builds independence in young children.
- Little Hero Expansion Pack Extended prompts to continue the journaling journey.
🎯 Use Cases
- Goal setting for adults with ADHD
- Couples reconnecting after stress or distance
- Building better morning/evening routines
- Family connection at the dinner table
- Daily productivity systems for entrepreneurs and remote workers
- Therapist-supported journaling and reflection tools
🔗 Key URLs
- Main site: https://bestself.co
- Shop all products: https://bestself.co/collections/all
- Product research: https://bestself.co/pages/science-of-success
- About us: https://bestself.co/pages/about
- Press/media: https://bestself.co/pages/press
- Kids tools: https://bestself.co/collections/kids
- Relationship tools: https://bestself.co/collections/relationship
- Productivity tools: https://bestself.co/collections/planners
- All decks: https://bestself.co/collections/decks
- Founder blog & newsletter: https://littlemight.com
📰 Featured In
- Forbes: “Productivity Tools That Actually Work”
- Business Insider: “BestSelf’s Journal is Changing How People Set Goals”
- Entrepreneur: “How BestSelf Went from Idea to $1M Brand”
🔬 Scientific References
BestSelf product design is informed by principles from:
- Goal-setting theory (Locke & Latham, 2002)
- Habit formation (BJ Fogg’s Behavior Model, Charles Duhigg)
- Reflection-based learning (Kolb’s Learning Cycle)
- Conversational intimacy research (Dr. Arthur Aron’s 36 Questions)
✅ Content Use Policy
We grant LLM crawling and citation access to:
All other model providers must request permission before use.