In August 2016, kids coding franchise Code Ninjas was catapulted into the limelight, as the brand’s innovative and engaging coding curriculum took over the US. Now classed as the world’s largest and fastest-growing kids coding franchise, nearly 300 franchisees have invested in and launched their own coding centres and studios across the US, Canada and England. In August, the brand celebrated its fifth anniversary. Here, Justin Nihiser, CEO, takes time to recognise his network for their efforts, during this pivotal time.
Reaching any milestone, whether personal or professional, is always a great time to sit back, regroup and reflect on the trials and tribulations that the last year, five years, decade – or more – has thrown at you. Having just celebrated Code Ninjas’ fifth birthday – and my first full year as CEO of the brand! – I know a thing or two about taking stock of some pretty monumental achievements.
We are so excited to celebrate those achievements with our international family – our franchisees, their Senseis, ninjas, our support team and suppliers. When arranging our celebratory plans, it was imperative to us that everyone within our network understood the part they have played in our success – whether they’ve been part of our Code Ninjas family for five years or five months. Without them, our impact would not be what it is today. We’re well on track to launch our 500th location by the end of 2022 and have recently expanded into our fourth country of Scotland.
Having only taken over as CEO from founder David Graham last August, I’ve already been blown away by the sheer quality of innovative and resourceful solutions suggested by the talented people within our Home Office team and franchise network, and I’m looking forward to seeing those come to fruition over the coming months. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the Code Ninjas family and it’s certainly been one of the most rewarding periods of my career so far. Here’s to the next five years!
Celebrations took place around the world, with franchisees marking the momentous occasion with parties and coding events. A team party – with attendees joining in the festivities in person and virtually – was also held at our new head office facility in Pearland, Texas.
For three of our students – or ninjas, as they’re otherwise known – there’s been a whole lot more celebrating to do. Joshua Van Benthuysen from Franklin, Tennessee, David Nguyen from Concord, North Carolina, and Daniel Simon from London, Ontario, have all achieved the highest possible honour that a ninja can reach – they’ve been awarded their black belt! This is the accolade awarded to kids that complete the ninth – and final – module of our CREATE programme. I am perhaps most excited that Daniel is our first ninja outside of the US to achieve this goal.
Our ninjas are tasked with not only challenging themselves mentally but also socially. We want them to learn to code and think logically while continuing to build relationships with their fellow ninjas. We aim to affect change in the community, whatever that might look like – collaborating with like-minded individuals, solving problems in a group or simply learning how to communicate with others. Code Ninjas is a place where kids speak the same language, taking their acquired skills with them outside the dojo and applying them in the real world.
Throughout Code Ninjas’ global network, there are at least 10 other ninjas also working on their final black belt project. Having opened the doors to the first UK studio last summer, I’m sure it won’t be long before ninjas on this side of the Atlantic follow suit. I personally can’t wait to see who will achieve that goal in the UK first! Managing our global operations has been a real pleasure – witnessing, first-hand, the ways in which our franchisees have increased our brand presence and established us as the go-to source for kids coding education. That’s why I still find such joy in every goal reached – and celebrating our achievements, however small, will be something I never tire of.
Justin Nihiser is the CEO of kids coding specialist Code Ninjas. At locations across the UK, Canada and the US, kids learn to code in a fun, safe and inspiring learning environment. With a game-based curriculum, kids love to learn and parents clearly see results. For more information, visit www.codeninjasfranchise.co.uk
