We recently connected with Christopher Powell and have shared our conversation below.

Christopher, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

At The Coder School, our mission is to empower kids to become creators of technology, not just consumers. We believe coding is more than a technical skill — it’s a new literacy, a way to express creativity, solve real-world problems, and build confidence.

What makes this mission meaningful to me personally is how much it ties into my own journey. I didn’t grow up with access to tech programs. I had to teach myself, piece things together, and constantly fight the feeling that I was “late to the game.” Now, with over 15 years of experience in cloud engineering and tech leadership, I see how different things could have been if I’d had early exposure.

That’s why our work at The Coder School is so important to me — we’re not just teaching kids how to code. We’re helping them discover a sense of possibility. We’re showing them they can build apps, games, websites — things that feel like magic to most people their age. And when they realize that they have the power to create and innovate, it changes everything.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Christopher Powell — Cloud Engineer, tech entrepreneur, and co-owner of The Coder School in Spring, Texas. I got into tech through self-teaching and years of hands-on experience in cloud infrastructure. Now, I’m passionate about helping the next generation learn coding early.

At The Coder School, we offer after-school coding lessons for kids using a personalized, project-based approach. We teach languages like Python, Scratch, and JavaScript in a fun, supportive environment that builds confidence and creativity.

We’re not just teaching code — we’re teaching problem-solving, critical thinking, and future-ready skills. What sets us apart is our focus on mentorship and tailoring each student’s learning journey.

I’m most proud of the spark we help ignite in kids — seeing them build their first app or game and realize they *can* do tech. I want families to know we’re a place where kids can explore, grow, and become tomorrow’s innovators.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Our best source of new clients has been exactly that: community engagement. By being present, building relationships, and offering value where people already are, we’ve grown through trust and word-of-mouth. I’m proud of the partnerships we’ve built and the impact we’re making — one kid, one code session at a time.

Can you talk to us about your experience with buying businesses?

Yes, The Coder School was our first business. It’s a kids’ coding school that offers personalized, project-based coding lessons to help students build real-world skills in programming languages like Python, JavaScript, and Scratch. We focus on inspiring the next generation of innovators and creators — and that mission is exactly why we bought the business.

We chose to acquire an existing Coder School location because it aligned perfectly with our passion for education and technology. Buying an existing business has its benefits: one, you get an established customer base; and two, you inherit brand recognition and proven systems that reduce startup risks.

That said, one challenge is working through and updating any inherited operational inefficiencies — you’re not starting from a clean slate, so you have to balance preserving what works with making the improvements you envision.

Overall, the acquisition process was both exciting and educational. It gave us a head start in making an impact, and we’re proud to be building on a strong foundation to expand our mission in the community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thecoderschool.com/locations/spring/?utm_source=gmb
• Instagram: thecoderschool_spring
• Other: [email protected]