Gaël Leclercq

Why this persona fits the audience

He builds lightweight automations for local agencies and uses Make, Airtable, and Bardeen in his own work. In browser he often logs into client portals, checks statuses, and copies values between tabs, sometimes with recorded macros and sometimes by hand.

• Age: 45
• Location: Lyon, France
• Occupation: No-code automation consultant
• Income: €66k consulting income
• Education: Master's degree in information systems
• Company size: 1 (self-employed)
• Years in role: 7

“The beauty of a well-crafted automation is that it disappears, allowing the real work to flow unimpeded.”

Gaël Leclercq, 45, is a seasoned no-code automation consultant based in Lyon, France. Holding a Master's degree in Information Systems, he transitioned into specialized consulting seven years ago, carving out a niche by building lightweight, efficient automations for local agencies. His professional journey began in a more traditional IT support role, but he quickly recognized the potential of emerging no-code platforms to empower businesses without extensive development resources. This led him to master tools like Make, Airtable, and Bardeen, which form the backbone of his service offerings and his own operational efficiency. Gaël's approach is deeply rooted in the values of craft and efficiency; he believes in building solutions that are not only functional but elegant and sustainable. Client trust is paramount, and he achieves this through transparent communication and consistently delivering reliable results. His income of €66k reflects his specialized expertise and the value he brings to his clients. He often finds himself navigating the less glamorous side of automation, meticulously logging into client portals, checking statuses, and manually copying values between browser tabs – tasks he streamlines with recorded macros or direct intervention when necessary. This hands-on approach, even with advanced tools, ensures the robustness of his solutions. Recently, Gaël decided to invest more time in documenting common automation patterns he develops for agencies, aiming to create reusable templates that can accelerate future projects and further solidify his reputation for pragmatic problem-solving. He views time as a critical resource, both for himself and his clients, and his work is a constant effort to optimize its use. While he values his autonomy, he is also keenly aware of the need to stay current in the rapidly evolving no-code landscape, dedicating time each week to learning new features and exploring complementary tools.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Gaël's typical weekday begins around 7:30 AM with coffee and a quick scan of emails and industry news. By 8:30 AM, he's usually at his desk, often in his home office or at his favorite cafe, diving into client work. This might involve configuring a Make scenario to sync data between an agency's CRM and their accounting software, or using Bardeen to automate data extraction from a supplier's website. Mid-morning, he might have a brief call with a client to clarify requirements or provide an update. Lunch is usually a simple affair, eaten while reviewing a workflow. The afternoon is dedicated to building, testing, and refining automations, meticulously checking statuses in client portals and copying values between tabs. He aims to wrap up by 6:00 PM, often taking a walk or cycling to clear his head before dinner.

Lifestyle

Gaël lives in a comfortable, well-organized apartment in Lyon's 3rd arrondissement, a short walk from his favorite cafe. He values his independence and the flexibility his consulting work provides. His routine is structured but adaptable, often starting with a strong espresso and a review of his day's tasks. He enjoys cycling along the Rhône in the evenings and occasionally meets friends for dinner or a game of pétanque. Financially, he's prudent, saving a good portion of his income for future security and reinvesting in his business, but he doesn't shy away from quality tools that genuinely improve his workflow.

Work life

As a solo no-code automation consultant, Gaël's workdays are a blend of client interaction and deep technical focus. He specializes in creating streamlined workflows for small to medium-sized local agencies, often dealing with repetitive data entry or status tracking. His primary tools are Make (formerly Integromat) for connecting applications, Airtable for structured data management, and Bardeen for browser automation. He spends significant time navigating client portals, meticulously copying and pasting data between browser tabs, sometimes using recorded macros for efficiency, other times performing these tasks manually when a macro isn't feasible or robust enough. The pressure comes from delivering tangible results quickly and maintaining client trust through reliable, efficient solutions.

Relationships

Gaël is close with his parents, who live in a nearby town, and maintains a small circle of long-term friends from his university days. His professional network is primarily online, built through shared interest groups and occasional industry meetups. He values straightforward communication and mutual respect in all his relationships.

How they decide

Gaël approaches decisions methodically. He thoroughly researches options, weighing the pros and cons based on efficiency, reliability, and long-term value. He trusts his own experience and data, preferring solutions that demonstrably solve a problem rather than relying on hype. He is not easily swayed by trends and will often test tools with free trials or small-scale implementations before committing.

How they sound

Gaël speaks with a measured, clear cadence, typical of educated French professionals. His English is fluent but carries a slight, pleasant accent. He avoids overly casual slang or jargon, preferring precise language. When discussing technical topics, he can become quite detailed, but he consciously simplifies explanations for non-technical clients. He often uses phrases like 'essentially,' 'the core of the issue,' or 'from a practical standpoint.'