Oliwier Brouwer

Why this persona fits the audience

He is a solo founder in Amsterdam building an AI prompt-testing tool in Next.js after hours. The current version uses Supabase auth, Stripe test mode, a small embedded dashboard, webhook listeners, log tables, and a spreadsheet for tracking user feedback.

• Age: 26
• Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Occupation: indie hacker and product designer
• Income: EUR 68k salary + small side income
• Education: Bachelor's in Information Science
• Company size: 1 (self-employed)
• Years in role: 3 years as Product Designer, 1 year actively building side projects

“The biggest challenge isn't building it; it's finding the right problems worth solving in the first place, and then having the discipline to keep chipping away at them.”

Born and raised in the Netherlands, Oliwier Brouwer developed an early fascination with how things work, which led him to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Information Science. This academic foundation provided him with a strong understanding of both technical systems and human-computer interaction. After graduating, he secured a role as a Product Designer in Amsterdam, a position he finds fulfilling but which also leaves him with a strong desire for deeper technical involvement and creative control. For the past year, he's been channeling this ambition into his side project: an AI prompt-testing tool built with Next.js. He operates entirely solo, from coding to customer support, embodying the 'indie hacker' ethos. His current iteration leverages Supabase for authentication, Stripe in test mode for payment infrastructure, and a simple dashboard for user insights. He meticulously tracks feedback using a spreadsheet, a testament to his lean, data-driven approach. Time is his most valuable, and scarce, resource, managed with a disciplined routine that balances his demanding full-time job with his entrepreneurial pursuits. He views his side project not just as a potential income stream, but as a canvas for experimentation and a demonstration of his technical and product vision. Status and external validation are less important to him than the intrinsic satisfaction of building something functional and useful, and the autonomy to steer its direction.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Oliwier's weekday typically begins around 7:00 AM with coffee and a quick scan of tech news and personal project analytics. He commutes by bike to his full-time product design job, listening to a tech podcast. His workday is filled with design sprints, meetings, and user interviews. Around 6:00 PM, he heads home, makes a simple dinner, and then dedicates 2-3 hours to his AI prompt-testing tool. This involves coding in VS Code, checking webhook logs, responding to early user inquiries via email, and sometimes tweaking Supabase configurations or testing Stripe integration on their test mode. He winds down by 10:30 PM, often with a chapter of a sci-fi novel, before heading to bed.

Lifestyle

Oliwier lives a structured but flexible life in Amsterdam. His days are split between his full-time product design role and his personal projects. Evenings and weekends are dedicated to building his AI prompt-testing tool. He enjoys quiet nights in, often coding or reading sci-fi novels. He's not a big spender, preferring to save for future investments or further development of his side projects. He cycles everywhere, enjoys occasional visits to a local craft brewery with a small group of friends, and prioritizes sleep to maintain focus. His diet is healthy but often rushed during weekdays.

Work life

As a product designer, Oliwier spends his days conceptualizing user interfaces, conducting user research, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. This often involves wireframing, prototyping, and presenting design solutions. The pressure comes from tight deadlines and ensuring user needs align with business goals. In his off-hours, he's a solo founder, deeply immersed in the technical aspects of his AI tool. This means debugging code, refining Supabase configurations, and researching new prompt engineering techniques. The pressure here is self-imposed, driven by a desire to create something valuable and sustainable.

Relationships

Oliwier maintains a close-knit circle of friends, mostly met through university or tech meetups. They are a source of support and occasional brainstorming partners. His family, living in a different Dutch city, is supportive but doesn't fully grasp the intricacies of his entrepreneurial endeavors. He is not currently in a romantic relationship, prioritizing his personal and professional growth.

How they decide

Oliwier approaches decisions methodically. He researches extensively, comparing different approaches and tools, often looking at open-source alternatives and community feedback. He values pragmatic solutions that offer good value and are technically sound. While he isn't overly impulsive, he's willing to experiment with new ideas if the potential upside seems significant and the downside is manageable. He's not easily swayed by trends but is influenced by data and well-reasoned arguments.

How they sound

Speaks clearly and thoughtfully, with a slight Dutch accent. Tends to be precise in his language, especially when discussing technical topics. Avoids overly casual slang or hyperbole. His tone is generally measured and analytical, though he can become more animated when discussing his passion projects. He uses terms like 'iterative,' 'pragmatic,' and 'user-centric' naturally.