Complete Website Rebuild.

Kum & Go

Complete Website Rebuild.

Project Overview

Kum & Go recently underwent a massive transition and rebranding of their loyalty program. Working with the Figma design system created by their awesome UI/UX team, I completely rebuilt the Kum & Go public website from scratch within a tight deadline of four weeks, saving the company over $600,000 per year.

Project Background

Kum & Go was acquired by Maverik, one of the largest convenience store chains in the United States, in August 2023. During the following months, the two brands began to merge loyalty programs.

In February 2024, as contracts with vendors were sunsetting, we had a tight deadline to move the public website to the same internal server as maverik.com. I built the entire site with CMS integration in less than four weeks.

Cost v. Cost

The original website was built using Next.js, React, and Contentful by two groups of contractors. They built the old website in 18 months, and the combined contractor fees and enterprise services cost the company over $1,000,000.

Ongoing maintenance, updates, and vendor contracts would cost over $600,000 annually. So, the company decided to eliminate the ongoing expenses and bring everything in-house.

A Fresh Perspective

I didn’t have access to the original codebase, so I worked with the UX/UI designers at Kum & Go to interpret the Figma design system and translate it to CSS within a fresh new codebase.

Though the original website was built with Next.js, React, and Contentful, I built the new website using Astro, which I find to be faster and more user-friendly than Next.js in many ways. The original plan was to continue using Contentful for dynamic data, but the company ultimately decided to eliminate Contentful and use Astro Content Collections as the content management system. The site architecture changed, but the functionality remained the same.

Despite the tight deadline, I rebuilt the website with full functionality and CMS integration using industry-standard practices, saving the company over $600,000 in annually recurring costs.

Technologies

Astro, TypeScript, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop

Get in touch.

I'm ready to join your team! Send me a message if you think we'd be a great fit!

Nick Bravo

Web Development Architect.

PERFORMANCE PROFILE

Advanced web designer and developer with 16+ years of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript experience. Architected complex, high-performing websites using Astro JS, TypeScript, React, Tailwind CSS, and other common UI frameworks. Strong Proficiency in Figma and VS Code, mastery of Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.

EXPERIENCE

Principal Web Developer

Maverik, Salt Lake City, UT | July 2023 - Present

Recruited to this role to oversee codebases of all Maverik, Kum & Go, and FJ Management (FJM) web properties, including primary websites for all companies, and the combined Careers website.

  • Completely rebuilt the Kum & Go public website from scratch (including CMS and API integration) within a tight deadline of four weeks, which significantly reduced page load times, increased accessibility and performance, and saved the company over $600,000 in annual costs.
  • Architected scalable codebases for Maverik and Kum & Go web properties using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JSX, and TypeScript within the Astro framework, effectively utilizing complex web components, content collections, and routing.
  • Constructed converting landing pages for active Maverik and Kum & Go marketing campaigns, sweepstakes, and loyalty programs.
  • Enhanced workflow efficiency between the Digital Product Team and the rest of the Marketing and Public Relations Teams to streamline web updates across all websites.

Web Development Consultant

Astropost, Salt Lake City, UT | March 2022 - Present

Transitioned freelance business to a systemized business with streamlined client onboarding and project management workflow.

  • Implemented complex web architecture strategies for fast websites that meet high-performance metrics.
  • Built scalable codebases for privacy-focused websites designed for headless CMS and API integration.
  • Designed and built an accessible digital layout for Unredacted Magazine.

Adjunct Faculty - Web Design & Development

Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, UT | December 2023 - Present

  • Instructed students in novice to advanced UI/UX and web design and development courses.
  • Taught students the fundamentals of web design and development, including Semantic HTML, CSS, JavaScript, responsive layouts, and accessibility practices.
  • Demonstrated real-world project management and DevOps workflows and best practices.

Freelance Designer / Developer

Freelance, Salt Lake City, UT | May 2007 - March 2022

Provided freelance web design and development services to local businesses, including several pro bono projects.

  • Built engaging websites, user interfaces, visual identities, digital products, and online assets.
  • Constructed many pro bono websites for public safety, political, and nonprofit organizations.

Graphic Designer / Web Developer

8fish, Sandy, UT | June 2008 - September 2009

Recruited as a graphic designer and illustrator, quickly transitioned to primary web developer due to previous experience.

  • Developed the website for Maverik’s Kick Start, a local adventure TV show produced by Maverik, a leading convenience store chain.
  • Elevated brands by building powerful websites, and designing graphics, social media content, and other digital assets.

Police Officer

University Of Utah Police Department, Salt Lake City, UT | March 2021 - July 2023

  • Spearheaded educational and community outreach campaigns as a liaison between the police and marketing departments.

Police Detective

Price City Police Department, Price, UT | November 2015 - March 2021

  • Developed and oversaw a comprehensive training and equipment program.

Police Lieutenant

Wellington Police Department, Wellington, UT | August 2010 - November 2015

  • Improved transparency and community relationships by building the department's first website and social media channels and generating timely press releases.
  • Developed and implemented a Reserve Officer Program that reduced personnel expenditures by 20% and increased shift coverage by 50%.

EDUCATION

Bachelor Of Science | Digital Cinematography

Full Sail University
  • GPA 3.99 | Valedictorian

Associate Of Applied Science | Graphic Design

College Of Eastern Utah

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Astro JS
  • JavaScript
  • TypeScript
  • React
  • HTML / CSS
  • SCSS / SASS
  • PostCSS
  • Tailwind CSS
  • Node.js
  • Git and CI/CD
  • Contentful
  • CMS
  • Responsive Design
  • Mobile-First Design
  • Product Design
  • UI/UX Design
  • Adobe CC
  • Figma
  • Core Web Vitals
  • Web Accessibility