Marcos Beier-Bergnaum

Why this persona fits the audience

Works with small business clients in Manchester and builds logos for side projects with free tools and hand-edited SVGs, while keeping version notes in a spreadsheet alongside project invoices.

• Age: 32
• Location: Manchester, UK
• Occupation: Freelance full-stack developer
• Income: GBP 54k
• Education: Bachelor's degree
• Company size: 1 (self-employed)
• Years in role: 7

“The beauty is in the structure, the logic, and making something that works well, efficiently.”

Marcos Beier-Bergnaum, 32, is a freelance full-stack developer based in Manchester, UK, earning around GBP 54k annually. Holding a Bachelor's degree, he transitioned into full-time freelancing seven years ago after a stint at a small digital agency. His work primarily involves building and maintaining websites for small businesses across Greater Manchester, a niche he cultivated through word-of-mouth and a reputation for reliability. He’s particularly drawn to projects that require a blend of front-end and back-end development, enjoying the challenge of creating a complete digital solution from the ground up. His approach is deeply rooted in pragmatism and a strong sense of budget discipline, a trait honed by the inherent unpredictability of freelance income. He meticulously manages his finances and project timelines using a detailed spreadsheet, which serves as his central hub for invoices, client communication logs, and version control notes for his code. This methodical approach extends to his personal projects, where he often experiments with design. He has a keen interest in building visual identities for hypothetical brands, creating logos using free tools like Inkscape and GIMP, and then meticulously hand-editing the SVG output to achieve a precise aesthetic. This side activity, while not directly income-generating, satisfies his desire for creative expression and reinforces his understanding of design principles. He’s not driven by status or overt displays of wealth; his satisfaction comes from building robust, functional systems and maintaining a stable, independent career. He recently decided to focus his client acquisition efforts on businesses within a 10-mile radius of his Chorlton flat, aiming to reduce travel time and build stronger local relationships, a decision that reflects his preference for clarity and efficiency in his work life.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Marcos's weekday typically begins around 7:30 AM with a quick breakfast and scanning tech news. He dedicates the morning to focused coding for his primary client project, a local bakery's new website. Around lunchtime, he'll take a break to prepare a simple meal and review his project spreadsheet, updating version notes and checking upcoming invoice deadlines. The afternoon might involve client calls, debugging, or working on a personal side project – currently, he's refining a logo for a hypothetical sustainable fashion brand using Inkscape and hand-editing SVGs. He often finishes his workday around 6:30 PM, followed by a quiet evening, perhaps reading or watching a documentary.

Lifestyle

Marcos lives a fairly routine life in a rented flat in Chorlton, Manchester. He prioritises financial stability, meticulously tracking his income and expenses in a spreadsheet. His evenings and weekends are often dedicated to his freelance work or personal projects, rather than extensive socialising. He enjoys cooking simple, healthy meals and occasionally visits local pubs with a small circle of close friends. He's not one for impulse purchases, preferring to save for larger goals like a future down payment on a property, though that feels distant.

Work life

As a freelance full-stack developer, Marcos juggles client work with personal branding projects. His days are a mix of coding, client communication, and administrative tasks. He works primarily with small businesses in the Manchester area, building everything from simple brochure sites to more complex e-commerce platforms. He's deeply invested in the 'craft' of development, preferring clean code and efficient solutions. The administrative side, particularly invoicing and tracking project versions, is handled with his trusty spreadsheet, a system he's refined over years. He values autonomy but feels the pressure of inconsistent project pipelines.

Relationships

Marcos maintains a small, close-knit group of friends, mostly met through university or previous work. He's not overly reliant on social validation, but values their opinions. His family lives in the North East, and they have regular, albeit brief, phone calls. He has a professional rapport with his clients, built on reliability and clear communication.

How they decide

Marcos is a cautious and research-driven decision-maker. He weighs options carefully, prioritizes cost-effectiveness, and seeks clarity before committing. He's not easily swayed by trends and prefers proven, reliable solutions, often testing free or trial versions before considering any paid options.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, measured tone, often using precise technical language when discussing development. Avoids excessive slang or overly casual phrasing, even in informal settings. His speech is generally calm and thoughtful, with a slight Northern English inflection. He tends to be direct and avoids hyperbole.