Case Study 2: Internet Brands — React Component Library
Overview
Company: Internet Brands (Health Vertical)
Role: Frontend Developer
Duration: March 2018 – August 2019
Industry: Healthcare Technology
The Challenge
When I joined Internet Brands' Healthcare vertical, I inherited a crisis. A senior developer had just left, and no one on the team understood the existing React/Redux applications. The team of junior developers couldn't ship features or fix bugs efficiently. Meanwhile, the company needed to maintain HIPAA compliance across clinical office applications.
Key Problems:
- Complex React/Redux codebase with no documentation
- Team of 4 juniors with no React experience
- Components duplicated across multiple applications
- Critical Senior Developer role vacant
- Application delivery taking 10+ months
- HIPAA compliance requirements
My Approach
First: Codebase Audit
I documented existing patterns, identified duplication, and mapped dependencies across the microservices architecture. This revealed opportunities for consolidation.
Second: Component Library Architecture
- Established dumb/smart component pattern for separation of concerns
- Built centralized React component library with modern hooks and Redux patterns
- Created comprehensive documentation for each component
- Set up build pipelines and NPM package configuration
Third: Team Development
- Trained 7 developers on React fundamentals and library contribution
- Conducted daily code reviews and pair programming sessions
- Mentored 4 junior developers individually on complex projects
- Created technical evaluation framework for hiring
Fourth: Hiring Process
- Screened and interviewed 13 candidates (5 senior, 8 junior)
- Developed technical assessment criteria
- Successfully hired Senior Developer who became key contributor
Fifth: Mobile Messaging App Redesign
- Transformed desktop-only messaging app to mobile-first experience
- Re-architected using CSS Grid and Flexbox
- Delivered within 1 month while mentoring junior developer
Sixth: HIPAA Compliance
- Researched healthcare compliance requirements
- Implemented necessary security patterns across applications
- Ensured all component library patterns met regulatory standards
The Results
| Metric | Before | After | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Delivery Time | 10 months | 1 month | 10x acceleration |
| Component Library Adoption | 0% | 80% | Unified UI patterns |
| Documented Components | 0 | 30+ | Reusable across apps |
| Developers Trained | 0 | 7 | Team capability |
| Candidates Interviewed | — | 13 | Filled critical role |
| Junior Developers Mentored | — | 4 | 1→Senior, 1→JPL |
Key Takeaways
- Leadership isn't about titles. I performed senior-level duties (team leadership, architecture, hiring) as a mid-level engineer.
- Component libraries scale teams, not just code. The library became the foundation for 5+ healthcare applications.
- Investing in people pays dividends. One mentee was promoted to Senior, another now works at JPL.
Technologies Used
React, Redux, TypeScript, JavaScript ES6+, AngularJS, Angular 2+, Webpack, CSS Grid, Flexbox, Chrome DevTools, NPM, Electron, CI/CD, HIPAA Compliance