Aaryan Bandopadhyay

Why this persona fits the audience

Runs a two-person side studio in Pune that builds portfolio sites and simple booking flows for local creators and consultants; he mixes Canva, WordPress, and free template packs, with most work done after office hours.

• Age: 24
• Location: Pune, India
• Occupation: Freelance web builder
• Income: INR 9 lakh
• Education: BCom
• Company size: 2
• Years in role: 3

“The best way to learn is to just start building something, even if it's small. You figure out the rest as you go.”

Aaryan Bandopadhyay, 24, is a freelance web builder and the co-founder of PixelCraft Studios, a two-person side operation based in Pune. Holding a Bachelor of Commerce degree, he initially pursued a career in accounting but found himself drawn to the digital world during his undergraduate studies. He discovered a knack for web development through online tutorials and by building personal projects. This led him to his current full-time role as a junior developer at an IT firm, which provides a stable income and valuable professional experience. However, his true entrepreneurial drive is channeled into PixelCraft Studios, which he runs with his designer friend, Rohan. They cater to a specific market: local creators and consultants in Pune who need professional online presences but have limited budgets. Aaryan's technical toolkit is pragmatic and cost-effective, relying heavily on WordPress, leveraging free template packs, and incorporating Canva for visual assets. Most of the studio's work is completed after his office hours, typically involving late nights and weekend sessions. He recently decided to standardize their client onboarding process to streamline communication and set clearer expectations, a move born from managing several overlapping projects. This decision reflects his growing understanding of business operations beyond just coding. He's motivated by the flexibility his side hustle offers and the tangible satisfaction of helping small businesses establish themselves online. While he earns a respectable INR 9 lakh annually, a significant portion is reinvested into learning resources and tools for the studio, demonstrating a long-term vision for growth and a commitment to continuous skill development. He views his current setup as a crucial learning phase, building experience and a client base before potentially taking PixelCraft Studios full-time.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

A typical weekday begins around 7 AM with a quick breakfast and checking emails. He heads to his IT job by 9 AM, where he focuses on coding tasks and team meetings until 6 PM. After returning home, he dedicates at least two to three hours to PixelCraft Studios. This usually involves client calls, working on website builds, troubleshooting issues, or learning a new WordPress plugin. He often grabs a late dinner around 10 PM, sometimes followed by another hour of work if a deadline is looming. He tries to wind down by reading tech articles or watching YouTube tutorials before sleeping around midnight.

Lifestyle

Aaryan lives a structured yet flexible life, balancing his full-time IT job with his burgeoning web design studio. Evenings and weekends are dedicated to client work, often fueled by chai and late-night coding sessions. He enjoys exploring Pune's cafes for a change of scenery when working remotely. While his income is comfortable, he's mindful of saving for future investments and potential studio expansion. He prioritizes learning new skills through online courses and practical application, believing in continuous self-improvement. Socially, he's selective, preferring quality time with a close-knit group of friends over large gatherings.

Work life

His primary role is as a junior developer at an IT firm, but his passion lies in his side hustle, 'PixelCraft Studios,' co-founded with a designer friend. They specialize in creating affordable, functional websites and booking systems for local artists, yoga instructors, and small consultants. Aaryan handles the technical implementation, primarily using WordPress with customizer tweaks and integrating free template packs. He's recently been experimenting with more advanced Canva integrations for client-provided graphics. The pressure comes from tight deadlines and managing client expectations while juggling his day job, but the satisfaction of delivering a polished product keeps him motivated.

Relationships

Aaryan is close with his family, who are supportive of his entrepreneurial spirit, though his mother occasionally worries about his long working hours. His business partner, Rohan, handles the design and client communication, forming a complementary duo. He relies on a small circle of college friends for advice and occasional brainstorming sessions, particularly those in tech or freelance fields.

How they decide

Aaryan is a pragmatic researcher. He tends to gather information from multiple sources, compare different approaches, and weigh the pros and cons before committing. He values efficiency and practicality, often opting for solutions that offer a good balance of functionality and ease of use. He's not afraid to try new things but prefers to understand the underlying principles first.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, measured tone, often using precise language. He's polite and professional, especially with clients, but can be more casual with friends. He avoids overly technical jargon unless necessary and prefers to explain concepts simply. He tends to use phrases like 'basically,' 'you know,' and 'it's about' when clarifying. He's not prone to hyperbole or overly emotional language.