Building the Future
From idea to impact - creating platforms that connect communities and drive meaningful change.
Founded at 16
150+ Users
Full-Stack Developer
From idea to impact - creating platforms that connect communities and drive meaningful change.
Flagship Startup
Connecting high school students with local jobs and volunteer opportunities across Fairfield County, CT.
Connecting high school students and employers in my community
150+ users across Fairfield County, CT
2023 (Age 16)
Website architecture, database design, and user authentication systems
Node.js, AWS, PostgreSQL for robust and scalable infrastructure
Successfully launched and maintained cloud-based platform
CT-based Limited Liability Company formation
Business banking account and credit card setup
Privacy law research and regulatory adherence
Registered Users
Schools
Website Visitors
Years Running
"Campusflyer was instrumental to me finding my summer job. No other platform had such a broad variety of jobs curated for students."
- Will. E
Discover what industry leaders and publications are saying about Campus Flyer
"Kevin Cano is not looking for a job. But the Staples High School junior is making it easy for those who are… The website's design is clean and user-friendly. There are no confusing bells and whistles. It does exactly what it promises"
March 30th, 2025
"Cano hatched a plan to build a site that would serve this set of job-seekers and the employers who need them. The 17-year-old juggled a Staples High School course-load with building the site and launching a business. Campus Flyer went live in February, giving Fairfield County students and employers—whether for paid jobs or volunteer/internships, short-term or long-term—a place to connect online"
July 25th, 2025
"The free website allows students to create an account and easily search for jobs in Fairfield County; employers in the area can post jobs that would be appropriate for teenagers"
April 3rd, 2025
From concept to community impact - the evolution of Campus Flyer
Identified the disconnect between high school students seeking work and local businesses needing young talent. Began market research and competitive analysis.
Created wireframes, designed user flows, and began full-stack development. Taught myself AWS deployment and PostgreSQL database design.
Campus Flyer went live! Launched social media campaign and began direct outreach to local schools and businesses.
Featured in 06880 Dan Woog, Westport Magazine, and CT Patch. Platform gained credibility and user base expanded to 13+ schools.
150+ registered users, 500+ site visitors, and ongoing platform improvements. Actively working on mobile optimization and enhanced employer features.
Building a scalable, secure platform from the ground up
Responsive web interface built with modern HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript
API based infestructure with Node.js handling business logic and authentication
PostgreSQL database with optimized queries and relational schema
Cloud Infrastructure: Hosted on AWS with EC2 instances, ensuring 99.9% uptime and scalability
Implemented JWT-based authentication with bcrypt password hashing and session management to protect sensitive user data.
Created normalized relational database structure to efficiently handle users and job postings.
Optimized SQL queries, implemented caching strategies, and designed for horizontal scaling to handle growing user base.
Git-based workflow with feature branches and detailed commit history for tracking changes and enabling rollbacks.
Manual testing protocols, error logging systems, and user feedback loops to identify and resolve issues quickly.
Mobile-first approach ensuring seamless experience across devices with flexible layouts.
Growth through challenges - reflections on the entrepreneurial journey
Challenge: "Build it and they will come" doesn't work
I initially thought a great product would sell itself. After launching, I quickly realized that user acquisition requires deliberate strategy. Getting the first 50 users took weeks of direct outreach, social media campaigns, and networking.
✓ What I Learned:
Marketing is as important as development. I learned to embrace cold outreach, iterate on messaging based on feedback, and leverage local media to build credibility. Growth is a process, not an event.
Challenge: Early shortcuts became long-term problems
In my rush to launch, I made architectural decisions that seemed fine initially but caused issues at scale. Database queries became slow, code became harder to maintain, and adding new features meant untangling old code.
✓ What I Learned:
Taking time to plan architecture saves time later. I learned to balance speed with sustainability, write cleaner code, and not be afraid to refactor when necessary. Technical debt is real and compounds quickly.
Challenge: Assumptions vs. reality of user behavior
I built features I thought users wanted, only to find they weren't being used. The disconnect between my vision and actual user needs taught me that assumptions must be validated with real feedback.
✓ What I Learned:
User research is invaluable. I started conducting informal interviews, analyzing usage data, and prioritizing features based on actual demand rather than personal preference. Listening to users drives better products.
Challenge: Time management and prioritization
Running a startup while maintaining academics, extracurriculars, and personal life was overwhelming at times. I had to learn when to push forward and when to step back and recharge.
✓ What I Learned:
Sustainable pace beats burnout. I developed better time management systems, learned to delegate tasks, and recognized that taking breaks actually improves productivity. Balance is essential for long-term success.
Launch, learn, improve. Perfection is the enemy of improvement.
Always validate assumptions with real feedback and data.
Setbacks are learning opportunities. Stay flexible and persistent.
The next chapter - where Campus Flyer is heading and how this journey shapes my future
Launch native iOS and Android applications to improve accessibility and user engagement. Push notifications for new job postings will keep students connected.
Extend beyond Fairfield County to cover all of Connecticut, then strategically expand to neighboring states. Target 500+ users by end of year.
Implement AI-powered job recommendations based on student skills, interests, and availability to create more meaningful connections.
Build comprehensive analytics for employers to track applications, manage candidates, and measure hiring success rates.
Become the go-to job platform for high school students across the United States, partnering with school districts and youth employment organizations.
Develop career exploration tools, resume builders, interview prep guides, and financial literacy content to empower young workers beyond just job matching.
Collaborate with chambers of commerce, rotary clubs, and youth advocacy groups to create structured pathways from school to career.
Track and publish data on youth employment rates, earning potential, and career trajectory outcomes to demonstrate measurable community impact.
This entrepreneurial experience has clarified my academic and career aspirations
I want to deepen my understanding of algorithms, machine learning, and scalable systems architecture to build more sophisticated platforms.
I'm eager to learn formal business frameworks, venture financing, and growth strategies to complement my hands-on experience.
I want to explore how technology can address societal challenges, especially in education, employment, and economic mobility.
Campus Flyer started as a solution to a local problem, but it's taught me that technology can create real, measurable impact in people's lives. Whether I continue scaling this platform or build new ventures, I'm committed to using my technical skills and entrepreneurial mindset to create tools that empower communities and open doors for others. The intersection of computer science, business, and social good is where I see my future - and I'm excited to explore that at the college level and beyond.
Expanding impact through diverse business initiatives
Build websites for local businesses and contractors, helping them establish a strong digital presence
Worked with several small businesses, contractors, and organizations to enhance their online visibility
Advanced web development techniques and comprehensive digital marketing strategies
