The Project That Brought Everything Together
After four years of learning programming languages, database design, web development, and system architecture, it was time for the ultimate test: the capstone project. I chose to build A&A Mini Mart, a complete e-commerce platform for a real local business in Sorsogon City. This wasn't just another class assignment—this was a real system that would serve real customers and handle real transactions.
🎯 The Challenge
Build a complete e-commerce solution that could replace the manual ordering system of A&A Mini Mart, a local grocery store that relied on phone calls, text messages, and handwritten notes to process customer orders.
The Moment I Realized This Was Different
My first meeting with Mrs. RheaMae Jamila, the manager of A&A Mini Mart, was a reality check. She showed me stacks of handwritten order forms, explained how customers would call in orders, and described the chaos during busy periods when multiple customers were trying to place orders simultaneously.
"Can you really build something that will solve all these problems?" Mrs. RheaMae Jamila asked. I looked at her handwritten order forms and thought about everything I'd learned over the past four years. "Yes," I said, "but it's going to be the most complex thing I've ever built."
In our second meeting, I had the opportunity to meet Sir Aries Lagadia, the business owner himself. Presenting the system to both the manager and owner was nerve-wracking, but their positive feedback gave me confidence that I was on the right track.
System Architecture: Bringing Four Years of Learning Together
Designing the architecture for A&A Mini Mart required every concept I'd learned. I chose React.js for the frontend, Node.js with Express for the backend, MongoDB for the database, and integrated with PayPal for payments, Cloudinary for images, and various notification services.
Current Progress: 90% Complete and Deployed
As of now, the system is 90% complete and deployed on Vercel for testing and demonstration purposes. The core functionality is working beautifully - customers can browse products, place orders, and make payments. However, there are still some features I'm working on, particularly the analytics dashboard for the seller side.
🚀 Current System Status
- 90% Complete - Core functionality implemented
- Deployed on Vercel - Live testing environment
- Pending Features: Analytics dashboard, advanced reporting
- Defense Scheduled: Capstone defense upcoming
- System Adviser Review: Positive feedback received
"The system John is developing shows great promise. Even at 90% completion, we can see how it will transform our business operations. The interface is intuitive and the functionality is exactly what we need." - Sir Aries Lagadia, A&A Mini Mart Owner
Personal Growth: From Student to Near-Graduate Developer
Developing A&A Mini Mart has been transformative - turning me from someone who could write code to someone who could architect and build real business solutions. Every course I took, every concept I learned, every late night debugging session has led to this capstone project.
📚 Academic Milestone
This capstone project represents the culmination of my Information Technology degree at CCDI. With defense approaching and the system at 90% completion, I'm confident in demonstrating how my four years of learning have prepared me for real-world development challenges.
Looking Forward: Defense and Final Features
As I prepare for my capstone defense, I'm putting the finishing touches on the remaining 10% - primarily the analytics dashboard that will give A&A Mini Mart complete insights into their business operations. The positive feedback from Sir Aries Lagadia, Mrs. RheaMae Jamila, and my system adviser gives me confidence heading into the final stretch.
This project has taught me that being a developer isn't just about writing code—it's about understanding problems, designing solutions, and creating value for users. As I approach graduation and prepare to enter the professional world, A&A Mini Mart stands as proof that I'm ready for the challenges ahead.