USA Ninja Challenge

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-staples/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-broker-turned-owner-opens-kids-ninja-gym-in-kansas-city-2729256" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brad Staples</a> had a successful career in the mortgage business for over a decade before transitioning to the franchise world. At first, he thought he wanted to get out of real estate. But as he learned more about various franchises through his role as a broker, he began to see a potential pathway to get out of the sales world entirely.Seeing a need for more active and engaging options for children, Staples decided to launch a&nbsp;<a href="http://usaninjachallenge.com/franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-broker-turned-owner-opens-kids-ninja-gym-in-kansas-city-2729256" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">USA Ninja Challenge</a> franchise in Kansas City, Missouri to offer a fun, healthy alternative to traditional sports and excessive screen time. Now, his vision extends far beyond just owning a gym; he’s focused on building a supportive environment for kids and fostering a rewarding career path for his lead instructor.Staples took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Brad Staples:&nbsp;I was in the mortgage business for the last 15 years. When the market shifted, I transitioned into franchise consulting. While consulting, I realized I was tired of high-pressure sales. I have two highly competitive wrestling sons, and I wanted to build a business around something we all enjoy. I represented&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge/info">USA Ninja Challenge</a> as a consultant, fell in love with it and decided to open my own franchise.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Staples:&nbsp;I shifted to franchise sales after a long career as a mortgage broker. During my time as a franchise consultant, I learned a lot about the franchise model, and I thought it could be a great way to get out of the sales world with the support of a franchisor.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?Staples:&nbsp;I used to think of franchises as big national chains that just make billionaires richer. Now I understand that franchises are actually locally owned small businesses. Even a McDonald's is owned by an individual.And people should know that the support you get from the franchisor is invaluable; they provide a playbook for success.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Staples:&nbsp;There was a need in our area. The closest ninja gyms are 45 minutes away. I also wanted to address the issue of kids spending too much time in front of screens. Many kids don't want the hyper-competitiveness of traditional sports, so I wanted to create a fun, healthy environment for them. This gym allows kids to be athletic and social without that pressure. It's also been great for the homeschool community because it provides a curriculum-based physical enrichment activity.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Staples:&nbsp;My plan is to open multiple locations. I want to grow within the next year or two. I also want to build a career for my lead instructor, Josh. He's an amazing asset, and I want to provide him with opportunities as we expand.1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Staples:&nbsp;I enjoy helping kids become their best selves. I want to provide an outlet for all kids, whether they're elite athletes or kids who just need to stay active. I hope people see that our genuine reason for being here is to build a community and encourage healthy activity instead of screen time. It's a personal struggle at home too; even with active kids, it's a constant challenge to limit screen time and make activity fun.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Staples:&nbsp;Know the details of the franchise. Don't focus too much on the royalties; they pay for valuable support. You're self-employed, but you always have someone to call for help. The support is invaluable. I believe franchises have a much higher success rate than independent small businesses.ABOUT USA NINJA CHALLENGEUSA 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&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usaninjachallenge.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-broker-turned-owner-opens-kids-ninja-gym-in-kansas-city-2729256" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.usaninjachallenge.com</a>.

Former Franchise Broker Opens USA Ninja Challenge in Kansas City

1851 Franchise

After just a few months in the franchise consulting world, Brad Staples fell in love with USA Ninja Challenge and decided to bring the fun, welcoming fitness concept to his own community.

This brand page has been paid for by USA NINJA CHALLENGE. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Franchise Broker Turned Owner Opens Kid’s Ninja Gym in Kansas City

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When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-umpa-pmp/">Dan Umpa</a> talks about his path to business ownership, it’s clear the story starts long before he ever heard of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usaninjachallenge.com/franchising/ninja-franchising">USA Ninja Challenge</a>. It traces back to Long Island, where he grew up watching the Coast Guard pilots stationed near Robert Moses and Jones Beach. Those early memories shaped his sense of purpose.“I always used to look up to those guys,” Umpa said. “They were there in people’s times of need… their whole point of being there is to save lives and help people.”That instinct to serve stuck. After high school, Umpa set his sights on the U.S. Naval Academy, drawn to what he described as a “leadership laboratory” where he could immerse himself in both academics and military training. He graduated in 2009 with a degree in robotics and engineering — a foundation that would later make&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge/info">USA Ninja Challenge</a> feel surprisingly familiar.He went on to become a naval aviator, flying search-and-rescue helicopters — “the Swiss Army knife of the Navy,” as he calls them — where adaptability, readiness and problem-solving weren’t just professional expectations, but survival tools.<h3>Leading From the Front</h3>Umpa says his military experience is woven into the culture of his Ninja gym. One lesson stands above the rest: “Never tell somebody to do anything you're not willing to do yourself.”It’s a principle that guides how he leads employees, works with families and inspires students. Whether it’s cleaning, fixing equipment or moving obstacles, he makes sure his team sees him doing the work too. “I'm leading from the front,” he said. “I am just as willing and able to do it as they are.”That consistency sets the tone. “If you're not willing to do it yourself, how can you possibly ask somebody else to do it?” he said.<h3>Semper Gumby: “Always Flexible”</h3>Umpa jokes that his gym operates under its own motto — a twist on the Marine Corps’ Semper Fidelis. “We call it Semper Gumby, always flexible,” he said.Working with kids means no two days look the same. The military prepared him for exactly that. As a pilot, he trained for endless scenarios and learned how to adjust in real time while still keeping the mission at the center.“You have to maintain that flexible mindset with the overall mission goal still in mind,” he said. “If you're not… and you're just staying rigid where you're at, it's not going to work.”That approach translates directly to his role as a franchise owner: navigating parent expectations, staff needs, facility operations, class flow and the emotional dynamics of young athletes.<h3>Why USA Ninja Challenge Was the Right Fit</h3>While reviewing franchise opportunities, Umpa kept coming back to his engineering background. USA Ninja Challenge allowed him to build — not just a business, but the environment itself.“I always enjoyed building things,” he said. “This looked like an amazing opportunity to not just build a business but to have a business where I get to build things.”That includes designing obstacles, shaping class progression, developing coaches and strengthening the community inside his gym. He also saw strong brand health and momentum.&nbsp;But most importantly, he loved the structured, skill-based curriculum. “That’s what differentiates us from any other kids' activity,” Umpa said. “They're not going to get the same experience as if they had our expert coaches actually guiding them through a skill progression program.”<h3>Why Veterans Excel as Franchise Owners</h3>Umpa believes veterans bring natural strengths to franchise ownership — especially leadership, composure and adaptability.“People who have served have leadership experience under stressful situations,” he said. “Their ability to handle those stressful situations and think calmly sets the veteran community a little bit apart.”But he returns again to the concept of flexibility. Veterans are trained to understand a mission, recognize a changing situation and adjust intelligently.“You have that knowledge to say, ‘All right, well, I recognize the situation now. I need to change and do something different to be able to complete this mission,’” he said.That mindset isn’t only useful at USA Ninja Challenge — it’s foundational to entrepreneurship itself. “Not every day is going to be a bed of roses,” he said. “I love having the easy days but I'm always ready for the hard ones.”<h3>His Advice to Fellow Veterans</h3>For veterans considering franchising, Umpa offers one central reminder: “Remember your training.”Military service doesn’t just prepare service members to follow steps — it prepares them to think, lead and problem-solve.“It was a framework that taught you how to learn,” he said. “It taught you the principles of leadership. Try to keep that flexible mindset and remember the framework your training led you through.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge.">https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge.</a>&nbsp;

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Franchise Broker Turned Owner Opens Kid’s Ninja Gym in Kansas City

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