From Homestay Host to Software Developer: Aim's Capstone Project Journey
Sigma School
2nd March 2025
Aim, a former Airbnb homestay host, is a prime example of someone who transitioned from managing bookings to managing code. His journey into software development was fueled by his passion for technology, and his capstone project, CheatSheet.cam, was born from the desire to solve a problem he, as a beginner, faced during his own learning process.
This project highlights his creative approach to tackling coding challenges and making learning more interactive.
Before he dove into the world of software development, Aim was an Airbnb homestay host. Hosting travelers from across the globe provided him with valuable experiences in communication, hospitality, and problem-solving. However, his curiosity for technology and his desire to develop software that could solve real-world problems led him to shift gears. With dedication and hard work, he transitioned from managing guests to building complex web applications.
As he embarked on his software development journey, Aim realized how difficult it could be for beginners to grasp coding concepts without a visual reference. He knew there had to be a better way to help others like him learn faster and more effectively. That’s when the idea for his capstone project, CheatSheet.cam, began to take shape.
Learning web development as a beginner can be overwhelming. Many tutorials and resources are filled with lengthy explanations and complicated jargon, making it hard to quickly grasp key concepts. Aim, like many others, found it challenging to understand abstract coding concepts such as CSS properties (borders, margins, padding, etc.) and how they function in practice.
This frustration sparked the idea for CheatSheet.cam: a platform where beginners could visualize code in real-time and copy it to experiment with it. The idea was simple yet powerful — providing both a visual and hands-on approach to learning code, allowing users to understand complex concepts without the need for lengthy explanations.
As with any ambitious project, Aim encountered a few roadblocks during development. One of the biggest hurdles was handling data storage.
Initially, Aim relied on an SQL database to store user data, but unfortunately, he accidentally deleted all of the data, which caused some setbacks. This data loss presented a real challenge, as Aim needed a way to preserve the information and ensure users' history could be tracked.
In addition to the data management issues, Aim also faced challenges in designing the platform’s user interface and integrating visual elements. Ensuring that users could easily understand the visualizations and copy the code without encountering issues was more complicated than expected.
Rather than letting setbacks discourage him, Aim found innovative solutions to these challenges. To address the data loss, he moved from using an SQL database to storing data in JSON format. This change allowed him to track the history of user interactions and ensured that the project could continue without the risk of losing valuable data in the future.
When it came to visualizing code, Aim refined the platform’s user interface by focusing on usability and clarity. He made sure users could easily see how the code impacted the visual elements, allowing them to experiment with borders, margins, padding, and other styling properties.
By simplifying the experience, Aim made the process of learning to code more accessible and engaging for beginners.
Aim’s journey from an Airbnb homestay host to a software developer showcases the power of perseverance and creativity. Through his capstone project, CheatSheet.cam, Aim was able to solve a problem that many beginner developers face: the difficulty of understanding and visualizing code.
By creating a platform where users could see code in action and copy it for their own projects, Aim made learning web development easier and more interactive. Despite the obstacles he faced, Aim’s determination and problem-solving skills enabled him to turn his vision into a functional and valuable tool for beginner coders.
CheatSheet.cam is more than just a tool — it’s a testament to Aim's growth as a developer and his ability to create innovative solutions that benefit others. Whether you're new to coding or already have some experience, CheatSheet.cam is a great resource to help you visualize and understand the building blocks of web development.
Aim’s story is an inspiring example of how creativity and resilience can lead to impactful solutions. His journey demonstrates that with the right mindset and dedication, anyone can overcome challenges and create something that not only improves their own learning but also helps others along the way.