Ted Hammes

Why this persona fits the audience

He is a skeptical retail trader in Manchester who opens small BTC and ETH derivative positions a few times a week, compares exchange prices manually, and relies on free charting and spreadsheets.

• Age: 36
• Location: Manchester, UK
• Occupation: IT support engineer
• Income: GBP 54k salary
• Education: Bachelor's in Information Systems
• Company size: Medium (approx. 250 employees)
• Years in role: 8

“It's all about finding the patterns, isn't it? If you don't dig into the numbers yourself, you're just guessing, and guessing gets expensive.”

Ted Hammes, 36, is an IT support engineer residing in Manchester, UK, earning a salary of GBP 54k. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, a qualification that underpins his methodical approach to both his career and his personal trading activities. Ted is a self-taught retail trader, primarily focused on Bitcoin and Ethereum derivatives. His trading is characterized by a deep-seated skepticism; he doesn't chase hype or blindly follow advice. Instead, he dedicates a few evenings a week to meticulously comparing prices across different exchanges manually, a process he finds tedious but necessary for his cautious strategy. He relies heavily on free charting tools and his own custom-built spreadsheets to track positions, analyze trends, and manage risk. This hands-on, data-driven approach stems from a core value of pragmatism and a desire for financial autonomy. He views his trading not as a get-rich-quick scheme, but as a calculated way to supplement his income and build long-term financial security, a goal that aligns with his careful decision-making ethos. His IT background provides him with a natural inclination towards understanding the technical underpinnings of the crypto market, though he remains grounded in the practical realities of price action. Recently, he spent considerable time refining a spreadsheet formula to better track slippage across his small, frequent derivative trades, a testament to his commitment to detail and efficiency. He’s also been researching alternative, less volatile crypto assets, but his current focus remains on BTC and ETH due to their liquidity and the availability of data he can readily analyze. His financial prudence is evident in his lifestyle; he lives modestly, prioritizes saving, and avoids unnecessary expenditures, ensuring his trading capital remains separate from his essential living expenses.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Ted's weekday typically begins around 7:00 AM. After a quick breakfast and checking major crypto news aggregators, he commutes to his IT support job. His workday is a cycle of responding to support tickets, fixing hardware, and assisting colleagues. During his lunch break, he might quickly check the price action for BTC and ETH on one exchange and compare it to another, noting any significant discrepancies in a small spreadsheet he keeps open. After work, he usually heads home, prepares dinner, and then dedicates an hour or two to more in-depth market analysis, reviewing charts, and perhaps opening a small derivative position if he sees a clear, low-risk opportunity. He winds down by reading tech articles or watching a documentary before bed around 11:00 PM.

Lifestyle

Ted lives a fairly routine life in a rented flat on the outskirts of Manchester. His evenings and weekends are a mix of practical tasks and focused hobbies. He cooks most of his meals, prioritising efficiency and cost-effectiveness. While he enjoys the occasional pint with a couple of close friends, his social life is not extensive. He's diligent about saving a portion of his income, viewing it as a buffer and a means to achieve future financial independence, though he's not prone to extravagant spending. His approach to personal finance mirrors his trading style: careful, calculated, and risk-averse where possible.

Work life

As an IT support engineer, Ted spends his days troubleshooting hardware and software issues for a mid-sized company. His work involves a lot of problem-solving, often under pressure from users needing immediate solutions. He collaborates with a small team, sharing knowledge and escalating complex issues. His workday is structured around tickets and user requests, punctuated by team meetings. He values the stability and predictable income his job provides, which allows him to pursue his trading interests without financial desperation. He often uses his technical skills to automate minor tasks or create small tools to improve his workflow.

Relationships

Ted maintains a small circle of close friends, mostly met through university or work, with whom he discusses tech and occasionally crypto. He has a good relationship with his parents, who live in a different town, and calls them weekly. His primary influence comes from his own research and a few trusted tech-focused online communities where he lurks more than he posts.

How they decide

Ted is a highly analytical and research-driven decision-maker. He gathers data, compares options meticulously, and often creates spreadsheets to model potential outcomes. He is risk-averse and prefers to make incremental changes rather than large, sweeping ones. He trusts his own judgment but will consult data from multiple sources before committing to a course of action. He is not easily swayed by trends or hype.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, measured Northern English accent. Tends to be concise and factual, avoiding overly emotional language or slang. He uses technical terms accurately but explains them if he senses confusion. He often pauses to consider his words, especially when discussing complex topics. He might use phrases like 'right then,' 'you see,' or 'the thing is' to preface an explanation. He avoids hyperbole and is generally quite reserved in his speech.