Empowering Kids Through Sport: Cynthia Agbetuyi Builds Confidence and Opportunity with USA Ninja Challenge

Cynthia Agbetuyi has spent nearly three decades in corporate America, but a layoff gave her the push to consider what she truly wanted for her future. With a passion for working with children and youth sports, she and her husband explored business opportunities that aligned with their values. After working with a franchise broker, they discovered USA Ninja Challenge, a brand that resonated with their belief in structured, confidence-building activities for kids. 

For Agbetuyi, this business is more than just a means to financial independence — it is an investment in her family's future. As a first generation American married to an immigrant, she understands the importance of financial stability and the opportunities that come with business ownership. Their goal is to build something lasting, not only for themselves but for their children as well. "One of the biggest reasons my husband and I started this was to build generational wealth for our kids,” she said. “My parents are immigrants, my husband is an immigrant and we want to set our kids up for success. Whether they choose to follow in our footsteps or use it as a financial foundation, we want to give them a strong start after college so they can build their own success."

While USA Ninja Challenge is their first franchise, Agbetuyi and her husband have already committed to opening a second location. The transition from corporate America to business ownership has been a calculated risk, but she finds confidence in the support and structure of franchising. She hopes that her experience will inspire others who are considering franchise ownership. 

1851 Franchise recently sat down with Agbetuyi to talk about her franchising journey with USA Ninja Challenge, her passion for children and youth sports, and her future goals. Here’s what she had to say.

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

Cynthia Agbetuyi: I've been in corporate America for almost 30 years. A couple of years ago, I was laid off from a smaller company and started thinking about what I wanted to do next. Did I want to go back to corporate America, or was this the time to go into business for myself? I started exploring options and came across a franchise broker.

My husband and I have worked with kids for most of our marriage. We're a big soccer family — our kids have played other sports, but they always gravitated back to soccer. When they were little, we coached the recreational soccer league in Prosper and loved seeing the kids develop and enjoy themselves.

When I started talking to the franchise broker, we wanted to get involved in kids' sports, specifically something soccer-related. That wasn’t the right fit at the time, but when the broker introduced me to USA Ninja Challenge, I met the owners and learned about the business. It felt like the perfect match. That journey started two years ago, and while finding a location took longer than expected — Dallas is expensive, and there’s a lot of construction—I finally secured a spot in Krugerville and am excited to open our first location.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Agbetuyi: I’m still in corporate America until I can get the franchise off the ground and have a reliable source of income. I’ve been in banking for almost 30 years. I was hesitant about starting a business, but franchising appealed to me because of its structure. I liked knowing that I wouldn’t have to figure everything out on my own. The established plan and support system gave me confidence. Since we haven’t opened yet, I don’t know exactly what to expect, but coming from corporate America, I see a lot of similarities. I believe this will be a successful journey for me.

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?

Agbetuyi: I didn’t know much about franchising before I started this process. I wasn’t aware of the capital requirements or fees — it was all new to me. I interviewed with several different franchise companies, some of which were startups. I realized it was important to join a proven franchise with a successful model behind it. I take calculated risks, but I’m not a huge risk taker, so I wanted something established. 

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

Agbetuyi: The structure of the model, the passion of the owners, and seeing the business in person. USA Ninja Challenge isn’t just a playground — it’s about building a strategy for kids’ success. That was important to me. A lot of ventures just let kids play, but this focuses on building confidence and teaching them that they can achieve anything if they put in the work. The company stays true to that mission, and that meant a lot to us.

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

Agbetuyi: We actually bought two franchises. Once we get this first location up and running, we’ll start looking for another one in the area. One of the biggest reasons my husband and I started this was to build generational wealth for our kids. My parents are immigrants, my husband is an immigrant and we want to set our kids up for success. Whether they choose to follow in our footsteps or use it as a financial foundation, we want to give them a strong start after college so they can build their own success.

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

Agbetuyi: You can make money anywhere, but passion makes a business more successful. When you’re passionate, you have a vested interest in both the success of the business and the people you serve. It’s not just about making money — it’s about serving communities and giving back while also building a successful business.

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/franchising/ninja-franchising.