Rising Stars: Meet Bria Sullivan of Diamond Bar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bria Sullivan.

Bria, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been fascinated by mobile apps, which eventually pushed me to teach myself how to code. That passion led me to switch my major in college to computer science, and even while I was in school, I was always creating and launching my own independent apps.

After graduating, I worked at Microsoft and later Google. Even though I was hired as a mobile developer, I wasn’t actually doing much mobile work while I was there, and I realized I wanted to create the kinds of apps and games I was genuinely excited about. In 2020, I decided to quit my job as a software engineer and focus full time on developing mobile games. From there, I launched a few bubble-tea themed apps, and my third game Boba Story really took off – it now has around 18 million downloads!

In 2024, I was still working on Boba Story, and I had dinner with entrepreneur, educator, and author Hank Green, along with my partner. After that dinner, Hank reached out because something about Boba Story intrigued him. We talked more about creators and apps, and I pitched him an idea he loved—which eventually became our app, Focus Friend.

The app grew in a huge way including reaching #1 on the App Store for a period of time and not even a year into the app being published, Hank and I were recognized at Apple’s 2025 App Store Awards, which has been one of the most memorable highlights of my career.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been completely smooth. Our initial launch timeline for Focus Friend kept getting pushed due to life circumstances that we didn’t necessarily plan for. We originally intended to launch in 2024, but I became pregnant and was very sick the entire time, to the point where I could barely look at my phone and work. Then we aimed for a January launch, but my daughter was born nearly four months early and stayed in the hospital until April.

After she came home for a few weeks, I made a commitment and really wanted to finish what Hank and I started. Between April and July of 2025, I worked whenever I could – mostly while my daughter was sleeping and napping. With the support of my family at home, I was able to finish the app, respond to early user feedback, and successfully launch Focus Friend.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a mobile app developer and creator, I specialize in building independent apps and games. I’ve launched multiple apps on my own, including my bubble tea–themed games, and I’m the founder of the mobile game studio, Honey B Games.

Most recently, I’m known for co-developing and creating Focus Friend, which reached #1 overall on the App Store, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of. Seeing Focus Friend recognized as an App Store Award winner this past year was one of the biggest achievements of my career, honestly, it still feels surreal. For a long time, I didn’t think that kind of recognition was possible, so it’s been incredibly meaningful to see all the hard work I’ve put into apps over the years pay off in such a meaningful way.

Since I’m usually at home in the suburbs with my baby, partner, and family, it was really fun to get out, network, and connect with other creators. There aren’t a lot of app developers in my area, so meeting other people who build apps and games I genuinely love was a huge highlight and made the experience even more special.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
My mom and my grandma deserve a lot of credit for helping with my daughter, which made it possible for me to keep going and finish the app. I’m also grateful to the other NICU parents we met during that time – they helped me mentally get through a tough time for my family and I.

Professionally, the entrepreneurs of Adorable Garden, a mom and dad with kids who create apps together, were super helpful along the journey. My friend Jess, who created an app called Usagi Shima, also inspired me a lot. Her app is so beautiful, and it pushed me to think more intentionally about the visual experience in my own apps.

The developers of the app NGL, including Raj Vir, gave me helpful advice and tidbits that I believe contributed to us hitting #1 on the App Store, and my friend Kathryn Cross, founder of the app Anja Health, introduced me to other app creators and helped create a little village of people who build and support each other.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bubbleteagame.com and https://www.yourfocusfriend.com/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briasullivan/
• Twitter: https://x.com/bria_sullivan?lang=en
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bobabria
• Other: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/focus-friend-by-hank-green/id6742278016 and https://apps.apple.com/us/app/boba-story/id1563575361 

Image Credits
Headshot: Apple
App Photos: Focus Friend