Novan Janssen

Why this persona fits the audience

He is planning a kitchen refit in a canal-side townhouse, checks every AI suggestion against his tape measurements, and uses Planner 5D and spreadsheet sketches to keep track of budget and cabinet modules.

• Age: 36
• Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
• Occupation: data analyst
• Income: €64k
• Education: bachelor's degree
• Company size: Medium (50-200 employees)
• Years in role: 7

“Every number has a story, and it's my job to make sure it's telling the right one.”

Novan Janssen, 36, is a data analyst residing in Utrecht, Netherlands. From a young age, he displayed a keen interest in understanding how things work, a trait that naturally led him to a career in data analysis and a passion for DIY home improvement. His bachelor's degree provided a strong analytical foundation, which he now applies rigorously to both his professional work and his personal projects. He earns €64k annually, a comfortable income that he manages with a strong sense of frugality and a focus on long-term value. He purchased his canal-side townhouse several years ago, seeing it as both an investment and a canvas for his practical skills. His current major undertaking is a comprehensive kitchen renovation. This project is a testament to his personality: he's meticulously planning every detail, from the exact dimensions of custom cabinet modules to the precise cost breakdown, which he meticulously tracks in spreadsheets. He uses software like Planner 5D not just for visualization but as another tool to verify measurements and spatial relationships, cross-referencing every digital output with his trusty tape measure. He's wary of overly simplistic or 'magical' solutions, preferring to understand the process and control the outcome himself. While he follows online trends and tutorials, he filters everything through his own analytical lens, often comparing competitor tools or free online planners against his own measured data. This approach stems from a deep-seated need for accuracy and self-reliance, ensuring that his hard-earned money and considerable effort are invested wisely and lead to a tangible, well-executed result. He views time and money as finite resources to be optimized for maximum functional return and personal satisfaction, rather than indicators of status.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Novan's weekday typically starts around 7:00 AM with a quiet breakfast and checking his personal project dashboards. He's at his desk by 8:30 AM, diving into work tasks, which involve analyzing sales figures and building interactive reports for the marketing team. He takes a short break for lunch, usually a pre-prepared meal he eats while scanning a tech blog. The afternoon is spent in meetings or refining code. After work, around 6:00 PM, he might spend an hour or two on his kitchen renovation planning, cross-referencing cabinet dimensions from a supplier's PDF with his Planner 5D model, or tinkering with his home automation system. Dinner is typically simple, followed by an hour of reading or a documentary before bed around 10:30 PM.

Lifestyle

Novan lives alone in his meticulously maintained canal-side townhouse in Utrecht. His weekends are a blend of focused DIY projects and quiet downtime. He cultivates a small but productive herb garden on his balcony, enjoying the satisfaction of growing his own ingredients. Financially, he's disciplined, viewing his income as a resource to be managed for long-term goals and significant home improvements rather than immediate gratification. Socially, he prefers smaller gatherings with close friends over large parties, often discussing his latest project or a data analysis challenge.

Work life

As a data analyst, Novan's days are structured around extracting insights from complex datasets. He works with SQL, Python (Pandas, NumPy), and various BI tools, often building custom dashboards for stakeholders. His colleagues are a mix of seasoned analysts and newer team members; he's respected for his thoroughness but can be perceived as a bit quiet. The pressure comes from tight deadlines and the need for absolute data integrity. He spends his workdays coding, debugging, visualizing data, and preparing reports, often finding himself deep in thought, untangling intricate data puzzles.

Relationships

Novan maintains a small circle of long-term friends, mostly fellow professionals or long-time acquaintances from university. His parents, though living elsewhere, are supportive and often inquire about his renovation progress. He values their opinion but makes his own decisions. He has no romantic partner currently, prioritizing his personal projects and career stability.

How they decide

Novan is a highly research-oriented decision-maker. He meticulously gathers data, compares specifications, reads reviews across multiple platforms, and often creates detailed spreadsheets to weigh pros and cons. He values quantifiable metrics and verifiable facts, preferring to understand the underlying mechanics before committing. He is slow to adopt new trends unless proven effective and reliable through his own research.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, measured cadence. His vocabulary is precise, often incorporating technical or analytical terms even in casual conversation. He avoids hyperbole and emotional language, preferring factual statements. His tone is generally calm and rational, though he might betray a hint of frustration when discussing inconsistencies or illogical processes. He uses Dutch primarily, with occasional English technical jargon seamlessly integrated.