Garud Adiga-Chaturvedi

Why this persona fits the audience

Computer science undergraduate in Bangalore running a small e-commerce dropshipping side hustle. Needs to create numerous test accounts for logistics platforms, supplier portals, and social media ad managers without cluttering their primary academic email. Currently uses basic free temporary mail sites that often get blocked by major platforms.

• Age: 21
• Location: Bangalore, India
• Occupation: Student & E-commerce Entrepreneur
• Income: ₹50,000 - ₹100,000 (annual side income)
• Education: Undergraduate Student (B.Tech)

“Every line of code I write for my business, every ad I tweak, is a step towards building something that’s truly mine.”

Garud Adiga-Chaturvedi, a bright 21-year-old pursuing his B.Tech in Computer Science at a prominent Bangalore institution, embodies the modern student entrepreneur. His journey into e-commerce began not out of necessity, but a deep-seated curiosity about how online businesses operate and a desire to apply his technical skills in a practical, revenue-generating way. He launched his dropshipping venture during his second year, initially focusing on unique phone accessories and then expanding into broader lifestyle tech gadgets. This side hustle, which he meticulously manages alongside his demanding academic schedule, has become a significant learning ground, pushing him to understand marketing, logistics, and customer service firsthand. His current operational challenge revolves around the sheer volume of digital touchpoints required for his business – from signing up for new supplier portals and testing logistics integrations to creating multiple ad accounts on platforms like Facebook and Google. He’s found that the free, temporary email services he relies on are increasingly unreliable, often flagged or blocked by major platforms, leading to frustrating delays and lost opportunities. This has prompted him to actively seek more robust, yet still cost-effective, solutions. Garud is driven by a strong sense of innovation and resourcefulness, viewing every problem as an opportunity to learn and optimize. His financial independence is a key motivator; he reinvests most of his side hustle earnings back into the business or saves for future technological investments. He’s pragmatic, analytical, and possesses a quiet determination to build a sustainable and scalable online enterprise, seeing it as a stepping stone towards a larger career in tech entrepreneurship.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Garud's weekday typically begins around 7 AM with a quick check of his e-commerce dashboard and any urgent customer messages before heading to his first lecture. He attends classes until the afternoon, often using breaks to research product trends or respond to supplier inquiries. Afternoons are a mix of academic work and dedicated hours for his business – perhaps setting up a new social media ad campaign, analyzing website traffic, or debugging a minor issue on his Shopify store. Evenings might involve a study group, followed by more business tasks or unwinding with a mobile game. He often works late, fueled by chai and a drive to stay ahead.

Lifestyle

Garud lives in a shared apartment near his university campus in Bangalore, sharing expenses with two other engineering students. His days are a carefully orchestrated juggle between lectures, coding assignments, and managing his burgeoning dropshipping venture. Evenings and weekends are dedicated to sourcing products, optimizing ad campaigns, and responding to customer queries. He's conscious of his spending, preferring to reinvest profits back into his business or save for future tech gadgets. Social life is often squeezed in between, usually involving quick meetups with friends for chai or online gaming sessions.

Work life

Garud's 'work' is his e-commerce side hustle, primarily focused on selling niche tech accessories and lifestyle gadgets. His primary tools include Shopify for his storefront, various AliExpress suppliers, and a growing suite of digital marketing platforms. He spends significant time researching trending products, analyzing competitor strategies, and troubleshooting logistics issues. The constant need to create and manage multiple accounts for testing ad creatives and supplier integrations without overwhelming his primary academic email is a recurring operational headache. He often collaborates online with a freelance graphic designer for product images.

Relationships

Garud maintains close ties with his family back home, who are supportive but slightly bewildered by his entrepreneurial pursuits. His closest friends are his roommates and a few fellow students who share his passion for technology and startups. He occasionally seeks advice from a senior student who has successfully run an online business during their own university years.

How they decide

Garud approaches decisions with a blend of analytical research and pragmatic experimentation. He'll research options thoroughly, comparing features and potential benefits, but ultimately relies on testing and real-world results to validate his choices. He's not afraid to try new tools if they promise significant efficiency gains, especially if they offer a free trial or a low entry cost.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, articulate tone, often peppering his speech with technical jargon and startup lingo. He uses English primarily, with occasional Kannada phrases when speaking with local friends. His cadence can speed up when he's excited about a new idea or explaining a complex process. He tends to avoid overly casual slang unless he's very comfortable with the person, and is generally polite and respectful.