Neonatal ICU Nurse’s Passion for Caring for Children Led Her to Franchise With USA Ninja Challenge

For Amanda Moore, caring for children has always been at the center of her life. As a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse, she has spent years helping premature babies in their most fragile moments. That experience, combined with a large family upbringing where she was constantly surrounded by kids, ultimately led her to explore business ownership as another way to positively impact children.  

“I learned to love taking care of people, which led me to pursue a nursing degree. I went into the neonatal ICU to be around babies because I really enjoy caring for them. I still work as a NICU nurse today,” Moore said. “One of my favorite things we do is our annual ‘preemie party,’ where we invite NICU babies who were born prematurely — some as early as 23 weeks — to come back years later so we can see how they've grown and thrived. Seeing those kids happy and succeeding made me realize I wanted to do something else to support children. That led me to explore business opportunities and ultimately to franchising.”  

As she researched different business opportunities, Moore realized she wanted the support of a franchise system rather than building a business from scratch. She and her family explored several options before discovering USA Ninja Challenge, a franchise focused on children's fitness and obstacle course training. The concept felt like a natural extension of her desire to help kids develop and grow, and after meeting the brand’s leadership team, she knew it was the right fit.  

Moore acknowledges that franchising comes with challenges, but she finds the experience rewarding, particularly when she sees the impact her business has on children and families. Her goal is to grow her gym in Royse City, Texas, to 300 students. If demand allows, she hopes to expand to additional locations in the future. But more than anything, she wants to create a space where children can thrive.  

Looking back, Moore never imagined her career would lead her to franchising, but she believes her hands-on approach as an owner is key to success. “I think it's important to be involved in your business,” she said. “Being an absentee owner isn’t the right fit for something like this. You need to make sure the day-to-day operations are running the way you want and that your business is being perceived in the best possible way by families and the community. Your involvement makes a difference.”

1851 Franchise recently sat down with Moore to discuss her passion for caring for children, her franchising journey with USA Ninja Challenge and her plans for the future. Here’s what she had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Amanda Moore: I come from a large, blended family that I absolutely love. I have seven brothers and sisters, and we have big Christmas celebrations with all our nieces and nephews — there are more than 30 of them now. My family is also musically inclined. My dad and my sister love to sing, and we were all in band, so I grew up surrounded by music, a lot of people, and, of course, a lot of kids.

I learned to love taking care of people, which led me to pursue a nursing degree. I went into the neonatal ICU to be around babies because I really enjoy caring for them. I still work as a NICU nurse today. 

1851: How did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Moore: My family and I looked into a lot of different options. I knew I would need support if I started a business, and a franchise already has a strong foundation in place. They have the structure, the marketing and the systems figured out. I realized that franchising would allow me to run a business alongside my nursing career rather than having to build something from scratch.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Moore: Before I started this journey, I honestly didn't know much about franchising. It was just something that caught my interest, and I wanted to learn more about it. Now, I can say that while it is a lot of work, it is also incredibly rewarding. You have to put in the time and energy to grow your business and market it properly. I expected it to be hard, and it definitely is, but I also love seeing the smiling faces of the kids and families we serve.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Moore: I love working with kids, and I felt that USA Ninja Challenge had a strong foundation. The company had been around for a while, had multiple successful locations and had a proven system. When I flew up to meet the owners and attended my Discovery Day, I really enjoyed working with them. It just clicked, and I knew this was what I wanted to do.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Moore: My immediate goal is to grow my gym to 300 kids. Down the road, if the demand is there, I would love to open another location. Ultimately, I just want to provide a fun and positive environment for children in my community.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Moore: I happen to be the mother of two amazing kids. My daughter is 15 and plays volleyball, and my son is 12 — he plays baseball and is also a ninja.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Moore: I think it's important to be involved in your business. Being an absentee owner isn’t the right fit for something like this. You need to make sure the day-to-day operations are running the way you want and that your business is being perceived in the best possible way by families and the community. Your involvement makes a difference.

ABOUT USA NINJA CHALLENGE

USA Ninja Challenge is the leading kid’s Ninja franchise, offering an exciting obstacle-based fitness experience for children across the United States. Since its founding over a decade ago, USA Ninja Challenge has grown into a trusted brand nearing 40 gyms and more in development. The franchise combines fun and fitness by teaching kids agility, balance, and problem-solving through a series of structured obstacle courses. Partnered with the USA Pentathlon Multisport Olympic Team, USA Ninja Challenge is raising awareness for Ninja's Olympic debut in 2028. With low initial investment, high margins, and rapid ROI, USA Ninja Challenge offers franchisees the opportunity to build profitable businesses while making a lasting impact on children's physical fitness and confidence. For more information on USA Ninja Challenge or to learn about franchise opportunities, visit www.usaninjachallenge.com.