Meet Jimmy Tran | Owner, Code Ninjas Preston Hollow and Real Estate Investor

My kids are almost 9, 7 and 5 so needless to say, it’s a busy time and there is always a LOT going on. One of the most important things I’ve done as a parent is to try and center my career and life decisions around my family and personal life. Part of the reason why I love real estate investing and owning a small business, for instance, is that it allows me the flexibility to drop off my kids and pick them up on most weekdays. This doesn’t mean I don’t work a lot (which I do!) but it does mean that I am able to schedule my work around my kids’ tennis lessons, and do random things like take them fishing on a Tuesday afternoon. I recognize this is a huge privilege and I am grateful for the opportunity to integrate my kids into my career and professional endeavors.

I launched the first Code Ninjas franchise in Dallas — the closest to our North is in Frisco and the closest to our South is in Mansfield! We are located in Preston Hollow / North Dallas and we are the only flexible, drop-in program for kids aged 4-14 years old in Dallas. At Code Ninjas, kids have fun and parents see results. I’m excited because despite being part of a franchise, there is a lot that we can do to shape the culture and operation at the local level. We infuse fun and learning into everything we do, and our mission is to provide an inclusive coding dojo where kids have fun learning to code while also developing future life skills. We believe that grit, resilience and hard work are things that kids can take with them no matter what they decide to do in life. We want to create future technology leaders! It hasn’t been easy — throughout our start-up phase, we have been hit by a tornado, pandemic and once-in-a-century snowstorm. We have dealt with huge permitting delays that set us back 6 months. But we are finally open and enrolling kids for both our year-round and summer programs!

Over the past year, I’ve spent much of my time outdoors and as such, I’ve really come to appreciate all of the great outdoor areas we have in Dallas! First, I would suggest Turtle Creek Park along Arlington Hall and the Katy Trail. I run on this trail 2-3 times a week and absolutely love it. Second, I would stop by Klyde Warren Park and walk towards the Arts District. If we’re feeling adventurous, we would hop on the trolley and take it Downtown and then have it loop back towards Uptown. Third, I really love the Dallas Arboretum — it’s beautiful throughout the year and a hidden gem in Dallas! If we had time, my last stop would be down to the Bonton Neighborhood — we would visit Bonton Farms and sip on a latte while sitting on a rocking chair on their amazing porch. Bolton is an urban farm with goats and chickens 15 minutes from Dallas and I always feel so much better about the world after a visit there.

There are many to recognize but let me mention two in particular. First, I want to give a shoutout to my Forum (you know who you are!) for serving as my personal “Board of Directors.” There are 8 of us and we meet monthly and share personal and professional issues and help each other navigate this thing called life. Sometimes it feels like group therapy but it has been really helpful for me! My Forum continues to challenge me and makes me think hard about both big and small decisions. Second, I want to thank my wife Lisa. She has always been supportive and doesn’t question me when I try to pitch a new idea, new investment or new business. I love how we support each other in our professional and personal endeavors and sometimes I think she should probably question me more but I appreciate her steadfast support and confidence in me!