Buyer Persona

A detailed buyer persona for Dutch Bros Coffee.


Buyer personas are tools that can significantly benefit businesses. Based on data and market research, personas represent a company’s ideal customer. They help businesses understand their target audience’s needs, demographics, interests, and behaviors. By creating buyer personas, businesses can tailor their campaigns to reach customers more effectively and meet their needs, improving customer satisfaction and business success.


Below is a detailed buyer persona for Dutch Bros Coffee. Laurie Smith depicts a typical Dutch Bros. customer. She is a college-educated business professional between 25 and 40 who lives in the Western United States. Her unwavering loyalty to the brand, which she has been a fan of since her teenage years, is a testament to the potential for businesses to foster enduring relationships with their customers.


With an annual income of $100,000 – $150,000, Laurie has more disposable income, which allows her to indulge in her favorite premium coffee. She also loves Dutch Bros Coffee’s “Fill A Tray” campaign because she enjoys occasionally treating her co-workers and friends. These satisfactions are prime examples of the benefits businesses can reap from effective marketing strategies.


A secondary persona would be a slightly younger crowd, predominantly females, ages 16 to 35, who are tech-savvy and may or may not have college degrees. This persona prefers Dutch Bros’ iced and blended drinks.


3 thoughts on “Buyer Persona

  1. Hi Amber,

    You provided a clear and informative explanation of buyer personas and their importance in business strategy. I really liked how you emphasized that they are not just theoretical exercises but practical tools that can drive customer engagement and satisfaction. Understanding the demographics, interests, and behaviors of the target audience is crucial for tailoring products and marketing strategies effectively.

    The persona you created is incredibly detailed and captures the essence of a typical Dutch Bros customer in Portland. It’s great to see how you’ve outlined her lifestyle, preferences, and motivations so clearly.

    Her balance of being a graduate student and a waitress/dog walker highlights the challenges many young adults face, particularly in managing time and finances. The emphasis on loyalty to the brand, especially because it originated in her home state, shows how local pride can play a significant role in consumer behavior.

    I also appreciate the inclusion of her psychographics, which adds depth to her persona. Being social media savvy and spontaneous reflects her connection to the digital world and her desire for experiences, making her an ideal target for Dutch Bros’ marketing strategies focused on engagement and community.

    Her motivations for variety, convenience, and affordability can guide how Dutch Bros tailors its offerings, perhaps suggesting promotions or loyalty programs that cater to her preferences. Overall, this persona provides valuable insights that can help Dutch Bros refine its approach to meet the needs of young, busy consumers like Lauren.

    Taylor’s persona complements Lauren’s well and adds another dimension to the target audience for Dutch Bros. It’s interesting to see the contrast in demographics and psychographics, which allows for a broader understanding of the customer base.

    Taylor’s age range and higher income suggest a different set of priorities compared to Lauren. Her emphasis on convenience, consistency, and affordability indicates that while she values quality in her coffee, she also seeks products that fit seamlessly into her busy lifestyle. The “coffee snob” label shows that she has refined tastes, which could guide Dutch Bros in offering premium or unique flavor options that appeal to her adventurous palate.

    Her tech-savviness and focus on sustainability highlight the growing importance of ethical sourcing in consumer choices today. This could be an excellent opportunity for Dutch Bros to promote any sustainable practices or sourcing methods they implement, as these would resonate well with Taylor and similar consumers.

    As a saver and bargain shopper, Taylor may respond positively to loyalty programs and promotions, especially if they emphasize value without compromising quality. Taylor’s persona provides valuable insights into how to attract and retain a more discerning customer segment, making it clear that Dutch Bros has the potential to appeal to a diverse audience.

    I loved reading your personas!

    Best,
    Calli.

  2. Hi Amber!

    I enjoyed reading through your buyer persona this week! It is well made, the layout is simple and very clear, and you did a great job examining the psychographics of Lauren! I liked that this persona is relatable. She’s in school and working, so she has to be conscious about her shopping, but even she can’t pass up a bargain! Dutch Bros is kind of the happy medium to her issues, in a way. She can still get that dopamine rush of shopping, but it isn’t going to break the bank, plus it is a nice treat that she can enjoy without shopping regret.

    I even learned something from your post! I didn’t know that Dutch Bros had expanded into Southern California. I like that even though Taylor is so different than Lauren, they are still connected by their loyalty to the brand. It teaches that the brand can be moldable and expand to fit the tastes of all their customers. Changing or offering premium products to appeal to a new audience is a great idea to compete with all of the other coffee shops in SoCal. The convenience of the drive-thru will also appeal to customers like Lauren and Taylor alike, as many specialty coffee shops are brick-and-mortar operations without one. All in all, great job this week!

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