My Work

The Ampersand Inn

WordPress

Partially re-designed The Ampersand Inn Bed & Breakfast website (full redesign in progress), with a focus on brand consistency and user experience.

The Weekend Bag Program

Squarespace

Complete website overhaul for The Weekend Bag Program, a kid-founded and run 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Focused on strengthening branding, enhancing usability and accessibility, and clearly communicating the mission to end juvenile food insufficiency.

Slice of Rai

JavaScript HTML5 CSS3

Slice of Rai is a 90s retro inspired personal website I built for the Codédex Mini Holiday Hackathon and for my inner teenager! I miss the days when the internet was fun, colorful, and creative.

Flow State Kanban Board

JavaScript React.js MongoDB Node.js Express.js TailwindCSS

Dynamic task management web app built with full CRUD functionality. Designed to streamline workflows with drag-and-drop capabilities, customizable boards, and intuitive task organization.

Library Lite

JavaScript MongoDB Node.js Express.js CSS

Library Lite is a personal library app so individuals can track the books on their shelves and whether they have read them or not. This full-stack CRUD app was built as a demonstration for my technical article.

Blackout Poetry Studio

JavaScript HTML5 CSS3

Blackout Poetry Studio is a creative tool to help overcome writer's block and inspire creatives by digitally replicating the process of crafting poetry with a sharpie & an old book.

DrinkDex

JavaScript HTML5 CSS3

DrinkDex is your go-to cocktail companion, allowing you to effortlessly search for any cocktail, providing detailed recipes, ingredients, visuals, and everything you need to become a master mixologist at home.

The Garden Bistro

HTML5 CSS3 JavaScript

A modern restaurant website showcasing elegant design and user-friendly navigation for a fine dining establishment.

Elysian Salon & Wellness Lounge

HTML5 CSS3 JavaScript

A sophisticated website design for a luxury salon and wellness center, featuring elegant aesthetics and smooth user experience.

I'm Rai Dorzback (he/him), a Software Engineer and Community Builder based in Sparta, New Jersey

Web Developer at The Ampersand Inn, Founder of North Jersey Tech Collective, and Director of Speaker Engagement at NY Code & Coffee.

I bring both technical skill and personal care to every project. Past work includes:

  • Building modern, maintainable websites for small businesses and nonprofits.
  • Founding the first tech & coding meetup in Sussex County, New Jersey. Read about NJTC here!
  • Leading speaker engagement for one of the largest tech meetups in NYC (NY Code & Coffee)
  • Writing technical articles to teach devs to build full-stack CRUD apps.
  • Creating software for families to preserve recipes and heritage (in progress).
  • Designing a directory of trauma-informed mental health providers for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ clients.

Tech Stack: JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, MongoDB, Next.js, Node.js, Express.js, React, Python, TailwindCSS, Git, HTML, CSS.

Tools: Figma, Jira, WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, Krita, Gimp

I build software that connects people — to information, to their communities, and to what matters most.

BA Biopsychology, Cognition, & Neuroscience
University of Michigan Residential College '22

Languages & Tools:
JavaScript JavaScript
Python Python
TypeScript TypeScript
React.js React
Next.js Next.js
Node.js Node.js
Express.js Express.js
MongoDB MongoDB
TailwindCSS TailwindCSS
Figma Figma
Postman Postman
Jira Jira
Git Git
HTML5 HTML5
CSS3 CSS3
Headshot of Rai Dorzback

Web Development Services

Your website should feel like you and work hard for you! That's why I take a personal, collaborative approach to every project. From the first conversation to launch day and beyond, I work with you to make sure your website reflects your unique brand, connects with your audience, and supports your goals — whether that's getting more bookings, clients, or donations.
Here's what our journey looks like:

  1. Consultation

    Our journey kicks off with in-depth discussion to understand the essence of your project.

  2. Proposal

    Receive a comprehensive project proposal and collaboratively chart our course of action for your website

  3. Development

    Stay in the loop with weekly updates as I build and test your project, ensuring your vision takes shape.

  4. Launch

    Experience peace of mind with the final project launch and training on how to make content updates. Want to skip the tech hassle? Choose my monthly maintenance plan for worry-free updates.

Blog

CRUD App Tutorial Thumbnail
Tutorial
Backend Tutorial Beginner

Your Starting Place: How To Build A CRUD App with Node, Express, and MongoDB

Are you coming from frontend JavaScript & looking to learn backend? Look no further, you have found The Starting Place! This is a comprehensive code-along guide to building a full-stack CRUD app w/Node, Express, and MongoDB.

Planning Before Code Article Thumbnail
Planning
Planning Productivity Tips

Avoid the Graveyard of Abandoned Projects: Plan Before You Code

Step by step guide to planning before you code. Write a thorough planning document to prevent project abandonment and ensure smooth development!

More Articles Coming Soon

Upcoming

Stay Tuned for More Tech Insights

I'm working on more comprehensive guides covering React best practices, full-stack development workflows, and community building in tech. Follow me for updates!

Contact Me