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theCoderBros Go to White Castle: A Lighthearted Asian American Success Story
Part memoir, part business book, part brazen showboating, theCoderBros Go to White Castle is the enlightening story of Hansel and Wayne, two best friends who transformed their passion for coding into a thriving lifestyle business.
Growing up as Asian-Americans in white America, they each navigated cultural challenges before eventually meeting in San Francisco. There, they began their up-and-down adventures that culminated in theCoderSchool, a national franchise business that teaches kids to code.
Foregoing the Silicon Valley ideology of “go big or die trying,” Hansel and Wayne don’t see theCoderSchool as their ticket to big money, but as a means to have great experiences. In this book, they offer an insider’s perspective on not only how to build a company that rewards you with a great lifestyle, but how to define the success that comes from it. Alongside business insights, Hansel and Wayne share personal anecdotes—from their single days in the Asian club scene to launching a punk rock cover band during the dot-com bust to meeting celebrities at NBA games, bringing humor and humanity to their professional Journey.
More than a business memoir or an Asian-American success story, this book is a light-hearted look at how two best friends worked together to build a lifestyle they’ve always wanted. It’s about the decisions that built a successful franchising business and the people they’ve met along the way. It’s about how theCoderBros got to their White Castle.
Growing up as Asian-Americans in white America, they each navigated cultural challenges before eventually meeting in San Francisco. There, they began their up-and-down adventures that culminated in theCoderSchool, a national franchise business that teaches kids to code.
Foregoing the Silicon Valley ideology of “go big or die trying,” Hansel and Wayne don’t see theCoderSchool as their ticket to big money, but as a means to have great experiences. In this book, they offer an insider’s perspective on not only how to build a company that rewards you with a great lifestyle, but how to define the success that comes from it. Alongside business insights, Hansel and Wayne share personal anecdotes—from their single days in the Asian club scene to launching a punk rock cover band during the dot-com bust to meeting celebrities at NBA games, bringing humor and humanity to their professional Journey.
More than a business memoir or an Asian-American success story, this book is a light-hearted look at how two best friends worked together to build a lifestyle they’ve always wanted. It’s about the decisions that built a successful franchising business and the people they’ve met along the way. It’s about how theCoderBros got to their White Castle.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 18, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 18, 2025
Great book
I found this book very interesting. I truly believe that the way it is written makes it feel like a guide or manual, not only because it presents the reader with an incredible story, but also because it is highly entertaining. This story is a perfect example that, to create successful ideas, the first things you need are self-confidence, patience and the intelligence to withstand change.
I love how the book invites us to approach life in a lighter, fresher way and to bring fun to the table. Often, the rigidity with which we tackle creative processes or personal challenges makes everything feel heavier than it needs to be. This book breaks away from that structure and proposes a new view of success with authenticity, joy and determination.
It is a story that inspires, encourages self-belief and shows that the path to achieving your dreams can be challenging, but also full of fun and meaning.
Without a doubt, this is a great book and a wonderful story. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a motivating, down-to-earth and refreshing read.
I found this book very interesting. I truly believe that the way it is written makes it feel like a guide or manual, not only because it presents the reader with an incredible story, but also because it is highly entertaining. This story is a perfect example that, to create successful ideas, the first things you need are self-confidence, patience and the intelligence to withstand change.
I love how the book invites us to approach life in a lighter, fresher way and to bring fun to the table. Often, the rigidity with which we tackle creative processes or personal challenges makes everything feel heavier than it needs to be. This book breaks away from that structure and proposes a new view of success with authenticity, joy and determination.
It is a story that inspires, encourages self-belief and shows that the path to achieving your dreams can be challenging, but also full of fun and meaning.
Without a doubt, this is a great book and a wonderful story. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a motivating, down-to-earth and refreshing read.
July 20, 2025
theCoderBros Go to White Castle is an unexpectedly delightful mix of business wisdom, cultural reflection, and personal storytelling. Readers, like me, looking for a typical tech-startup tale might be surprised, in a good way. Hansel and Wayne redefine what success looks like, not chasing billion-dollar exits, but crafting a life of freedom, fun, and friendship. Their journey from cultural outsiders to co-founders of a nationwide coding school is equal parts inspiring and entertaining.
What stands out most is the book’s tone. It’s casual, even cheeky at times, but underneath the humor lies a genuinely valuable blueprint for building a business that aligns with personal values. For Asian-American readers, their experiences navigating identity and belonging will especially resonate. For everyone else, it’s a reminder that success doesn’t always follow the traditional script, and that’s perfectly okay. A light, smart, and heartwarming read with real takeaways.
What stands out most is the book’s tone. It’s casual, even cheeky at times, but underneath the humor lies a genuinely valuable blueprint for building a business that aligns with personal values. For Asian-American readers, their experiences navigating identity and belonging will especially resonate. For everyone else, it’s a reminder that success doesn’t always follow the traditional script, and that’s perfectly okay. A light, smart, and heartwarming read with real takeaways.
July 23, 2025
Life Lessons
The narrative interweaves personal anecdotes with life and business lessons, revealing the challenges of growing up Asian American in the U.S. and the most unexpected and funny moments along the way. More than a typical Silicon Valley-style entrepreneurship story, this book is positioned as a celebration of lifestyle business, that type of enterprise that does not seek to grow at all costs, but rather to generate valuable experiences and a fulfilling life for its founders. Hansel and Wayne are not looking to become tech moguls, but people who enjoy what they do, and that is reflected in both the content and the tone of the book.
In short, theCoderBros Go to White Castle is more than a business guide or a multicultural success story. I highly personally recommend it. It's perfect for those looking for inspiration without cliché, and for anyone who has dreamed of doing what they love without losing their soul in the process.
The narrative interweaves personal anecdotes with life and business lessons, revealing the challenges of growing up Asian American in the U.S. and the most unexpected and funny moments along the way. More than a typical Silicon Valley-style entrepreneurship story, this book is positioned as a celebration of lifestyle business, that type of enterprise that does not seek to grow at all costs, but rather to generate valuable experiences and a fulfilling life for its founders. Hansel and Wayne are not looking to become tech moguls, but people who enjoy what they do, and that is reflected in both the content and the tone of the book.
In short, theCoderBros Go to White Castle is more than a business guide or a multicultural success story. I highly personally recommend it. It's perfect for those looking for inspiration without cliché, and for anyone who has dreamed of doing what they love without losing their soul in the process.
March 13, 2025
Part memoir, part business book, this one is a captivating co-authored gem by Hansel Lynn and Wayne Teng.
The narrative chronicles their journey from childhood friends to successful entrepreneurs in detail, but without resorting to boring instances. It highlights their creation of theCoderSchool, dedicated to teaching kids coding. But, apart from detailing business strategies, the narrative delves into their very own personal experiences as Asian-Americans and this is what made me empathize so much with people who are strong enough to start from scratch.
The storyline is engaging and it offers valuable life lessons. It is both an informative and entertaining read not only for those aspiring entrepreneurs but also to those interested in personal growth or in starting something new, and they are doubting about it.
The narrative chronicles their journey from childhood friends to successful entrepreneurs in detail, but without resorting to boring instances. It highlights their creation of theCoderSchool, dedicated to teaching kids coding. But, apart from detailing business strategies, the narrative delves into their very own personal experiences as Asian-Americans and this is what made me empathize so much with people who are strong enough to start from scratch.
The storyline is engaging and it offers valuable life lessons. It is both an informative and entertaining read not only for those aspiring entrepreneurs but also to those interested in personal growth or in starting something new, and they are doubting about it.
July 20, 2025
An absolute joy to read!
This unique blend of memoir, business insights, and brazen showboating left me feeling incredibly inspired and genuinely happy. Hansel and Wayne's journey transmits a powerful, refreshing message: true success isn't solely about Silicon Valley-style big money, but about crafting a thriving lifestyle business that truly rewards you. The narrative's unexpected turns, from navigating cultural challenges as Asian-Americans to launching a punk rock cover band during the dot-com bust, kept me utterly engrossed. These delightful detours, alongside their candid personal anecdotes, truly deepened my connection to their professional and personal adventures. It’s a light-hearted, humorous, and deeply human look at how two best friends built the life they always wanted, proving that defining your own "White Castle" is the ultimate win.
This unique blend of memoir, business insights, and brazen showboating left me feeling incredibly inspired and genuinely happy. Hansel and Wayne's journey transmits a powerful, refreshing message: true success isn't solely about Silicon Valley-style big money, but about crafting a thriving lifestyle business that truly rewards you. The narrative's unexpected turns, from navigating cultural challenges as Asian-Americans to launching a punk rock cover band during the dot-com bust, kept me utterly engrossed. These delightful detours, alongside their candid personal anecdotes, truly deepened my connection to their professional and personal adventures. It’s a light-hearted, humorous, and deeply human look at how two best friends built the life they always wanted, proving that defining your own "White Castle" is the ultimate win.
March 13, 2025
Inspiring and Cool
These two guys caused me a lot of admiration, because entrepreneurship in the United States is feasible, but success is never guaranteed, as the challenges and barriers are many. Well, these two programming cracks are the perfect example of learning to overcome those cultural and economic barriers to flow and understand the real needs of a society wherever you are, wherever you undertake. These two are successful not only because they have created a quality product or service, but because they dared to live and experience the culture of their customers and thus understand them much better. Their advice is the best, because it is not typical of the CEO of a big company, it feels legitimate all the time.
These two guys caused me a lot of admiration, because entrepreneurship in the United States is feasible, but success is never guaranteed, as the challenges and barriers are many. Well, these two programming cracks are the perfect example of learning to overcome those cultural and economic barriers to flow and understand the real needs of a society wherever you are, wherever you undertake. These two are successful not only because they have created a quality product or service, but because they dared to live and experience the culture of their customers and thus understand them much better. Their advice is the best, because it is not typical of the CEO of a big company, it feels legitimate all the time.
July 19, 2025
theCoderBros Go to White Castle was written by two Asian Americans and describes how they went from being lonely outsiders in a white America, to becoming successful people. They ascribe their success to meeting each other, overcoming their social insecurities and forming what they call theCoderSchool. They were in the center of Silicon Valley, and until they came along, there were no opportunities for children to learn coding.
What I enjoyed most about this success story is that it is written as a memoir – frequently as a humoros memoir. It is presented partly as a life story and partly as an inspiration to others, be they Asian or otherwise. If you enjoy light-hearted books that make you feel good about yourself and encouraged, then this one is for you.
What I enjoyed most about this success story is that it is written as a memoir – frequently as a humoros memoir. It is presented partly as a life story and partly as an inspiration to others, be they Asian or otherwise. If you enjoy light-hearted books that make you feel good about yourself and encouraged, then this one is for you.
March 12, 2025
Yum-yum
Though tongue-in-cheek and self-deprecating, it is a serious account of how success can be forged regardless of racial encumbrances and embracing the unique aspects of endowed blessings. Hansel and Wayne certainly weaved their Asian-American cultural expectations into enviable successes, and rightly so.
Perhaps the most important route to their success was not their brilliance in coding but their authenticity, lasting friendship, and trust. Although I would have preferred a more serious account and less glib, I still recommend the book for the pure entertainment of surviving and prospering when all the stars are aligned.
Though tongue-in-cheek and self-deprecating, it is a serious account of how success can be forged regardless of racial encumbrances and embracing the unique aspects of endowed blessings. Hansel and Wayne certainly weaved their Asian-American cultural expectations into enviable successes, and rightly so.
Perhaps the most important route to their success was not their brilliance in coding but their authenticity, lasting friendship, and trust. Although I would have preferred a more serious account and less glib, I still recommend the book for the pure entertainment of surviving and prospering when all the stars are aligned.
March 13, 2025
This autobiography is hard to classify, as it contains very different content over the chapters. It was funny but at the same time outraging due to racism and cultural disparity. The authors tell their stories very personally, prioritizing at all times their career path and their friendship, and the results were astonishing.
Personally, it was a delightful read. I share the passion for coding with the writers, and I know it can be both rewarding and profitable, but it's important to keep in mind which richness you are trying to achieve, and I think they made a great choice by aiming their company to fit their lifestyle, and not the other way around.
Personally, it was a delightful read. I share the passion for coding with the writers, and I know it can be both rewarding and profitable, but it's important to keep in mind which richness you are trying to achieve, and I think they made a great choice by aiming their company to fit their lifestyle, and not the other way around.
March 13, 2025
Interesting story.
This is an interesting book about how two friends build a business and a lifestyle that can inspire you. ''theCoderBros Go to White Castle'' tells the story of Hansel and Wayne and their lives as Asian-American coders. You will be immersed in a journey of how to create a business that challenges the standards people have about business. People usually think that having a business is synonymous with monetary wealth, but in this book, you will discover a different perspective. I found this story inspiring, funny, and interesting from different points of view. Not only because of their business but also because of their lifestyle and how they interpret it.
This is an interesting book about how two friends build a business and a lifestyle that can inspire you. ''theCoderBros Go to White Castle'' tells the story of Hansel and Wayne and their lives as Asian-American coders. You will be immersed in a journey of how to create a business that challenges the standards people have about business. People usually think that having a business is synonymous with monetary wealth, but in this book, you will discover a different perspective. I found this story inspiring, funny, and interesting from different points of view. Not only because of their business but also because of their lifestyle and how they interpret it.
March 14, 2025
An original book.
This book is as improbable as it is real, and that was precisely what I liked most. It tells the story of Hansel and Wayne, two Asian-Americans best friends who managed to turn their passion into a very profitable business. TheCoderBros Go to White Castle is a unique and captivating blend of memoirs, business, and cheeky humor.
It is short and fast-paced. I think the authors can connect with readers because they combine business advice with deep personal experiences and funny anecdotes with which we can empathize. It was entertaining for me at the same time that it made me reflect about success and my goals. It exceeded my expectations! All in all, I highly recommend it!
This book is as improbable as it is real, and that was precisely what I liked most. It tells the story of Hansel and Wayne, two Asian-Americans best friends who managed to turn their passion into a very profitable business. TheCoderBros Go to White Castle is a unique and captivating blend of memoirs, business, and cheeky humor.
It is short and fast-paced. I think the authors can connect with readers because they combine business advice with deep personal experiences and funny anecdotes with which we can empathize. It was entertaining for me at the same time that it made me reflect about success and my goals. It exceeded my expectations! All in all, I highly recommend it!
April 15, 2025
Refreshing read
This book was such a refreshing read—funny, relatable, and full of heart. theCoderBros Go to White Castle is unlike any business book I’ve read. The book moves between business tips, wild personal stories, and honest conversations about friendship and values. It’s equal parts inspiring and entertaining. If you're an entrepreneur (or even just thinking about becoming one), this is a great reminder that building a business can be joyful, human, and truly your own.
This book was such a refreshing read—funny, relatable, and full of heart. theCoderBros Go to White Castle is unlike any business book I’ve read. The book moves between business tips, wild personal stories, and honest conversations about friendship and values. It’s equal parts inspiring and entertaining. If you're an entrepreneur (or even just thinking about becoming one), this is a great reminder that building a business can be joyful, human, and truly your own.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews