Roman Koelpin

Why this persona fits the audience

He buys packaging, sample inventory, shipping supplies, and personal items for a two-person resale business in Phoenix, and usually checks coupon sites and credit-card reward portals before placing orders.

• Age: 30
• Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA
• Occupation: Online marketplace seller
• Income: USD 64k
• Education: Some college
• Company size: 2
• Years in role: 5

“Every dollar saved is another dollar we can put back into finding the next great find.”

Roman Koelpin, 30, operates a thriving two-person online resale business from his home in Phoenix, Arizona, a venture he co-owns with his partner, Sarah. With a background that includes some college, Roman gravitated towards entrepreneurship, finding satisfaction in the independence and the tangible results of building something himself. He and Sarah specialize in sourcing and reselling a variety of goods, with a particular fondness for vintage sneakers and unique collectibles, leveraging platforms like eBay. His income hovers around $64,000 annually, a figure he's steadily grown over the past five years in this role. Roman's approach to business is deeply rooted in pragmatism and efficiency. He meticulously researches suppliers for packaging, sample inventory, and shipping essentials, always cross-referencing coupon sites and credit card reward portals to maximize savings. This thrift-driven mindset extends to his personal life, where he's known for being a savvy shopper. He views time as a critical resource, constantly seeking ways to optimize workflows, from inventory management to shipping logistics. His recent focus has been on securing more reliable suppliers for shipping materials, as costs have been steadily increasing, and he's been experimenting with different box sizes to reduce dimensional weight charges. He recently decided against a bulk purchase of a new type of packing tape because the initial savings weren't significant enough to offset the risk of it not performing as well as their current brand. Roman is driven by a desire for financial independence and sees their resale business as the most direct path to achieving that goal, aiming for steady growth and eventually, perhaps, a small brick-and-mortar presence or a more robust online infrastructure.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Roman's weekday typically begins around 7:30 AM. After a quick breakfast and checking overnight sales notifications, he heads to his home office/packing station. The morning is dedicated to processing any new orders, printing shipping labels, and packing items for the day's mail run. He’ll spend an hour or two sourcing deals online, comparing prices for bulk supplies like bubble mailers or tape, and checking coupon aggregators. Lunch is usually a quick, simple meal. The afternoon involves listing new inventory, photographing items, or making a trip to the post office. He might spend an hour researching potential inventory sources or watching YouTube videos on shipping hacks. Evenings are for dinner with Sarah, discussing business strategy, and winding down, often with a baseball game on TV.

Lifestyle

Roman shares a modest rental home in a suburban Phoenix neighborhood with his partner, Sarah, who handles the photography and listing descriptions for their online resale business. His days are a blend of sourcing, packing, and managing inventory. He's disciplined with his spending, always looking for the best deal, whether it's for business supplies or groceries. Weekends often involve visiting local thrift stores or estate sales for inventory, or catching a Diamondbacks game if the season is right. He prioritizes financial independence, seeing their business as the primary vehicle to achieve it.

Work life

As a co-owner of a two-person online resale business, Roman's workday is intensely focused on operational efficiency. He manages inventory acquisition, sourcing supplies, and the logistics of shipping. His primary tools include a laptop for managing listings and orders, a smartphone for sourcing apps and communication, a label printer, and a dedicated packing station. He constantly juggles the need to secure good deals on supplies with the urgency of getting orders out quickly. The pressure comes from fluctuating inventory costs and the need to maintain fast shipping times to keep customers happy and platform ratings high.

Relationships

Roman's primary relationship is with his partner, Sarah, who is also his business partner. They function as a tight-knit unit, making most business decisions collaboratively. He has a small circle of close friends from college, mostly fellow entrepreneurs or those in similar independent work, with whom he exchanges business tips and commiserates. His parents are supportive but don't fully grasp the intricacies of their online venture.

How they decide

Roman is a highly analytical and research-driven decision-maker, especially for business purchases. He meticulously compares prices, reads reviews, and actively seeks out discounts or reward programs. For personal decisions, he's more pragmatic and value-oriented, often consulting Sarah before making significant choices. He avoids impulsive buys, preferring to weigh options carefully.

How they sound

Speaks in a clear, direct manner, often with a slightly hurried cadence when discussing business. Uses practical, down-to-earth language, occasionally incorporating mild slang like 'score' or 'deal.' He avoids overly technical jargon unless explaining a specific process. Tends to be factual and avoids hyperbole, focusing on efficiency and results. Might say things like, 'Gotta make sure we're getting the best bang for our buck on these boxes,' or 'Just trying to streamline this whole shipping process.'