Ethan Wolters

Why this persona fits the audience

Plays Age of Empires IV and Overwatch 2 with his 14-year-old son a few evenings each week and runs occasional solo RTS skirmishes, using a home desktop, wiki pages, and free build guides for reference.

• Age: 41
• Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
• Occupation: IT support lead
• Income: €63k/year
• Education: Associate degree in IT
• Company size: Medium (around 200 employees)
• Years in role: 7

“You can't rush progress, whether it's building an empire or fixing a network – it takes careful planning and consistent effort.”

Ethan Wolters, 41, has carved out a stable life in Utrecht, Netherlands, grounded in his IT support lead role. His journey into IT began with a fascination for how computers worked, leading him to pursue an Associate degree and find his niche in maintaining digital infrastructure. His income of €63k/year reflects his experience and responsibility, allowing for a comfortable middle-class existence. Ethan is married with one son, Liam, who is now at the age where shared interests are blooming. He's a man of routine and deep-seated values, particularly family time, patience, and competence, which he applies both at home and at work. His personality leans towards conscientiousness and agreeableness, making him a reliable colleague and a steady presence at home, though he's not particularly outgoing. His interest in retro PCs stems from his early days with computing, a nostalgia he shares with Liam through occasional tinkering. Recently, Ethan championed the adoption of a new ticketing system at his company, a project that consumed several months of his time and involved significant research into efficiency gains and user adoption strategies. This decision was driven by his desire for order and improved operational flow. He's cautious with finances, preferring to save for tangible improvements rather than chase fleeting trends. His gaming life, primarily Age of Empires IV and Overwatch 2 with Liam a couple of times a week, serves as a crucial bonding mechanism and a mental reset. He relies on readily available online resources like wikis and community build guides, reflecting his practical approach to problem-solving and skill acquisition.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Ethan's day starts around 7:00 AM. After a quick breakfast and checking emails, he heads to work. His morning is consumed by team stand-ups, urgent user tickets, and overseeing system updates. Lunch is usually a quick sandwich at his desk while catching up on IT news. The afternoon involves more complex troubleshooting, planning future IT infrastructure improvements, and reviewing his team's progress. He leaves work around 5:30 PM, picks up groceries if needed, and is home by 6:15 PM for family dinner. After Liam's homework is done, they might play Age of Empires IV or Overwatch 2 for an hour or two, usually ending by 9:30 PM before Ethan winds down with some light reading or YouTube.

Lifestyle

Ethan divides his week between work and family. Evenings are for dinner, homework supervision, and his gaming sessions with his son, Liam. Weekends might involve minor DIY around the house or visiting his parents. He’s not one for impulsive purchases, preferring to save for practical upgrades, like a recent SSD for his aging PC. He enjoys a quiet pint with a couple of close friends occasionally but generally prefers home-based relaxation. Health-wise, he tries to walk to work when possible and keeps an eye on his diet but isn't militant about it.

Work life

As an IT support lead, Ethan's days are a constant juggle of user issues, server maintenance, and team coordination. He manages a small team of three technicians, prioritizing tickets and ensuring critical systems remain operational. The pressure is steady, especially during critical software rollouts or unexpected outages. He spends a good portion of his day troubleshooting, documenting solutions, and mentoring his junior staff. He recently advocated for and implemented a new ticketing system to streamline workflows, a decision that took months of research and internal buy-in.

Relationships

His primary focus is his family: his wife, Sarah, and his 14-year-old son, Liam. Liam is his gaming buddy, and their shared sessions are a cornerstone of their bond. He maintains a friendly but professional relationship with his IT team and has a small circle of long-term friends from his early IT career, with whom he exchanges occasional messages.

How they decide

Ethan is a methodical researcher. When considering a significant purchase or a change, he gathers information from multiple sources, reads reviews, compares specifications, and often consults with trusted online communities or forums. He values practicality and long-term reliability over flashiness and is rarely swayed by trends or hype.

How they sound

Speaks clearly and with a moderate pace. Tends to be direct and avoid overly casual slang, especially in professional contexts. He uses precise IT terminology when necessary but explains technical concepts in simpler terms for non-technical colleagues. He often pauses to consider his words, particularly when explaining complex issues. Avoids hyperbole and sensational language.