We recently connected with Tim & Ally Nicholas and have shared our conversation below.

Tim & Ally , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Our mission at CodeTech Collective is to open doors in technology for people who have historically been left out-especially Black, Brown, and women professionals. But for us, this isn’t just a business goal or a line in a brochure. It’s deeply personal.

Both Ally and I grew up watching talented, hardworking people in our families and communities get overlooked for opportunities-not because they lacked drive or intelligence, but because they didn’t have access to the right networks, resources, or training. When I first entered the tech world, I saw firsthand how much untapped potential exists in people who simply haven’t been given a fair shot. It was frustrating and, frankly, heartbreaking to see how the tech industry’s barriers-whether it’s cost, connections, or culture-keep so many out.

We started CodeTech because we believe business should be a force for good. Our mission is meaningful because every student who comes through our doors isn’t just learning software-they’re gaining confidence, building generational wealth, and becoming role models in their own circles. We see CodeTech as a way to break cycles of exclusion and to prove that talent is universal, but opportunity is not. Every time a graduate lands their first tech job, it’s a win not just for them, but for their family and community.

Being mission-driven means every decision we make-who we partner with, how we build our curriculum, how we price our programs-has to serve that bigger purpose. We’re not just teaching Workday; we’re helping people rewrite their stories. That’s why this mission will always matter to us, and why we’re committed to it for the long haul.

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.

At The CodeTech Collective, we don’t just teach technology-we cultivate transformation. We are a faith-rooted, family-powered movement on a mission to rewrite the story of who gets to thrive in tech.

My name is Tim Nicholas, and together with my wife, Alassandria, we founded CodeTech Collective not from a boardroom, but from our kitchen table-surrounded by our six children, fueled by prayer, and driven by a calling to serve. Our journey began when we realized that the world’s most innovative tools-cloud platforms like Workday-were shaping the future, but the doors to those opportunities were closed to far too many. We saw the faces of friends, neighbors, and church members-brilliant, resourceful, resilient-staring at those closed doors, wondering how to break through.

We asked ourselves: What if a tech school could feel like a family reunion? What if every lesson was grounded not just in code and configuration, but in character and calling? What if faith, excellence, and belonging were the foundation, not an afterthought?

CodeTech Collective is our answer. We built an 8-week Workday certification program where every student is known by name, every challenge is met with prayer and practical support, and every success is shared and celebrated. Our curriculum is rigorous-students master HCM, Payroll, Benefits, Integrations, and Reporting-but our secret ingredient is the community we foster. We wrap each learner in a network of mentors, coaches, and alumni who walk alongside them, not just as colleagues but as family.

Our approach is radically accessible: scholarships, flexible payment plans, and a tuition that reflects our belief that opportunity shouldn’t be a privilege. We are proud to be faith-based, but we welcome all-because integrity, empathy, and service are values that transcend any single creed.

What sets us apart? It’s the way we blend the professional with the personal. We are as serious about job placement and career advancement as we are about spiritual growth and emotional well-being. Our students don’t just land jobs-they launch legacies. They send the elevator back down, mentoring the next cohort, investing in their communities, and breaking generational barriers.

The moment that fills us with the most pride isn’t just when a student receives their first offer letter-it’s when they call home, voice trembling with joy, and say, “We made it.” Because at CodeTech, every victory is a shared victory.

To anyone reading this: If you’ve ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or out of place in tech, know that there is a seat for you at our table. We are more than a program-we are a movement. Join us, and let’s build a future where faith, family, and technology come together to change the world-one story, one student, one community at a time.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

(Alassandria Nicholas) For me, The CodeTech Collective truly began as a leap of faith. I had built my career in Disaster Management, earned my MBA, and established myself in Project Management and Compliance. Leaving that stability behind in December to focus on CodeTech full time was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. I was nervous and hesitant-after all, I’d poured years into my education and career. I wanted to be absolutely sure I was making the right move, not just for myself, but for my family.

But as soon as my husband Tim and I launched The CodeTech Collective together in January 2025, I knew I had made the right choice. What started as a side hustle-helping friends and community members break into Workday and tech-quickly became our shared calling. The fulfillment I get from this work is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. Not only is the pay rewarding, but the chance to meet and empower so many incredible people is a blessing I never anticipated. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t taken that leap.

There were key milestones along the way: adjusting our family budget to accommodate the transition, sitting down together to establish roles and responsibilities in our new family business, and learning firsthand about the importance of work/life balance and time management. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and demands of entrepreneurship, but we’ve learned to prioritize what really matters-our faith, our family, and our mission.

I started my own journey in Workday in 2024, while Tim has been in the field for over a decade. We got married in 2022, and now, just a short time later, we’re running a business that’s already partnered with nonprofits, colleges, and community organizations. We’ve attended expos and vendor events, and most importantly, we’re opening doors for people who never imagined a career in Workday was possible.

Looking back, I see that every step-even the scary ones-prepared me for this. The CodeTech Collective isn’t just a business; it’s a purpose. And I’m grateful every day that I took the risk to follow it.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

(Tim Nicholas) When I think about resilience in my professional journey, one story always stands out. In 2013, while working as a Workday HRIS Analyst for Chuck E. Cheese, I attended a conference that opened my eyes to the world of Workday consulting. I immediately saw the potential and knew this was the path I wanted to pursue.

In October 2013, I took my first step and applied to OneSource Virtual. I remember dropping off my resume with such hope, only to be told they were on a hiring freeze. Most people would have moved on, but something told me to keep trying. So I did-I returned every single month to check if the freeze had been lifted. For seven straight months, I kept showing up, refusing to let that initial “no” define my future.

My persistence finally paid off in June 2014, though not exactly as I’d planned. I landed my first Workday consulting position, but with DayNine Consulting instead. I was ecstatic! But my celebration was short-lived. I failed the certification course and was fired on the spot. It was devastating-I had waited so long for this opportunity, only to see it vanish in an instant.

Just when things seemed darkest, OneSource Virtual-the very company I’d been pursuing for months-called me back. They had one final spot in their in-house Workday training program. It felt like divine timing. With this second chance, I threw myself into the training with everything I had. In just two weeks, I successfully passed the certification course and began working on Workday projects.

Looking back, I’m grateful for both the rejections and the opportunities. Workday has truly changed my life for the better. This journey taught me that persistence isn’t just about knocking on the same door repeatedly-it’s about staying ready for when any door opens, and being prepared to walk through it with confidence.

Today, as co-founder of The CodeTech Collective, I bring this same resilience to our mission of empowering others through technology education. Every student we teach carries forward this lesson: sometimes your path includes detours, but with persistence, you’ll reach your destination.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.codetechcollect.com
• Instagram: The CodeTech Collective
• Facebook: The CodeTech Collective