USA Ninja Challenge, the leading kids’ Ninja franchise, is continuing its growth in Virginia with a new franchise signing in Suffolk, where Alicia and Michael Bradshaw plan to introduce the youth obstacle-course concept to families across the Hampton Roads region.
For Alicia, the opportunity brought together ideas she and her husband had discussed for years. As a nuclear engineer and mother of three, she wanted a business that would give her greater flexibility and allow her to spend more time with her family. At the same time, she hoped to become more involved in her community through work that reflected her own interests.
That search gained momentum after a children's birthday party introduced her to the youth enrichment industry. Alicia looked into the space, and she found USA Ninja Challenge.
"For six or seven years, I'd been thinking about what else I could do that would still provide for our family while giving me more flexibility to be with my children," Alicia said. "For me, it combines everything I've been looking for. I love working out, I love being active, I love working with kids and, most importantly, it gives me the opportunity to spend more time with my own family."
The Bradshaws are still searching for a site and have not announced an opening date. Once the location opens, they plan to introduce USA Ninja Challenge's obstacle-course-based youth fitness program to an area they believe has been overlooked in children's enrichment opportunities.
Although Suffolk is one of Virginia's largest cities by land area, Alicia says where families live can make a big difference in the activities available to them. She and her family live in the city's more rural southern area, while much of the newer commercial development has taken place farther north.
"We live in the rural part of Suffolk, and there are really two very different sides of the city," Alicia said. "When it comes to activities for kids, there really aren't many options. There's an older gymnastics facility, a karate school, ballet and seasonal sports like soccer, but that's about it."
That lack of nearby programming helped convince the Bradshaws there was room for another youth concept in the market. Families often have to drive across town for after-school activities, something that becomes more difficult once evening traffic sets in.
"One of the things my husband and I have talked about for years is how much this area needs more opportunities for children," Alicia said. "That's what made this opportunity feel so exciting. I think families are really going to appreciate having something like this closer to home."
Alicia also believes the broader Hampton Roads region provides a strong foundation for long-term growth. Military families, shipyard employees and others continue relocating to southeastern Virginia, while communities such as Suffolk have attracted residents looking for more space without leaving the region.
USA Ninja Challenge offers classes for children from early childhood through the teen years, with age-based instruction designed to help students continue progressing as they develop new skills. Although the obstacle courses draw inspiration from American Ninja Warrior, Alicia says the focus is on helping children gain confidence while staying active.
"When people hear 'ninja,' they sometimes think about fighting, but it's really much closer to American Ninja Warrior," Alicia said. "Kids are building strength, confidence and coordination while working through obstacles. I think that's something really valuable for children to experience at a young age because they're developing confidence and character along with those physical skills."
The curriculum also gives students measurable goals as they advance through the program. Alicia says earning new shirt colors helps children recognize their own progress while encouraging them to keep working toward the next milestone.
"A lot of it comes from working together, following instructions and always having something to work toward," Alicia said. "As kids progress through the program, they earn different shirt colors as they level up, so there's always another goal in front of them. I think that's really motivating because they can see their progress and continue challenging themselves."
The Bradshaws are currently focused on finding the right location, describing the commercial real estate search as the biggest step remaining before construction can begin.
Even so, they've already discussed what future growth could look like. Alicia grew up in Midlothian, where much of her family still lives, and said the Richmond suburb is one market they would consider if the Suffolk location proves successful.
"We've definitely talked about it," Alicia said. "I grew up in Midlothian, just south of Richmond, and that's one area we've discussed if this first location is successful. There isn't a USA Ninja Challenge there, and my parents and brother still live in that area. It's only about an hour and a half from where we are now, so it would be manageable to travel back and forth if the opportunity ever made sense."
For now, their attention remains on opening the Suffolk location and introducing local families to the concept. Alicia says she was also encouraged by the way USA Ninja Challenge approaches franchise development, taking time to find owners who genuinely connect with the brand's mission.
"I think they're looking for people who genuinely enjoy working with kids and have the drive and motivation to build the business," Alicia said. "They also seem to place a lot of value on character. I think they spend time getting to know prospective franchisees and looking for people they believe will be successful over the long term. I'd like to think they saw that passion in us."
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge.
USA Ninja Challenge
SPONSORED
USA Ninja Challenge’s new Suffolk location will bring active enrichment programming to local families as the brand continues growing across the Mid-Atlantic.
USA Ninja Challenge, the leading kids’ Ninja franchise, is continuing its growth in Virginia with a new franchise signing in Suffolk, where Alicia and Michael Bradshaw plan to introduce the youth obstacle-course concept to families across the Hampton Roads region.
For Alicia, the opportunity brought together ideas she and her husband had discussed for years. As a nuclear engineer and mother of three, she wanted a business that would give her greater flexibility and allow her to spend more time with her family. At the same time, she hoped to become more involved in her community through work that reflected her own interests.
That search gained momentum after a children's birthday party introduced her to the youth enrichment industry. Alicia looked into the space, and she found USA Ninja Challenge.
"For six or seven years, I'd been thinking about what else I could do that would still provide for our family while giving me more flexibility to be with my children," Alicia said. "For me, it combines everything I've been looking for. I love working out, I love being active, I love working with kids and, most importantly, it gives me the opportunity to spend more time with my own family."
The Bradshaws are still searching for a site and have not announced an opening date. Once the location opens, they plan to introduce USA Ninja Challenge's obstacle-course-based youth fitness program to an area they believe has been overlooked in children's enrichment opportunities.
Although Suffolk is one of Virginia's largest cities by land area, Alicia says where families live can make a big difference in the activities available to them. She and her family live in the city's more rural southern area, while much of the newer commercial development has taken place farther north.
"We live in the rural part of Suffolk, and there are really two very different sides of the city," Alicia said. "When it comes to activities for kids, there really aren't many options. There's an older gymnastics facility, a karate school, ballet and seasonal sports like soccer, but that's about it."
That lack of nearby programming helped convince the Bradshaws there was room for another youth concept in the market. Families often have to drive across town for after-school activities, something that becomes more difficult once evening traffic sets in.
"One of the things my husband and I have talked about for years is how much this area needs more opportunities for children," Alicia said. "That's what made this opportunity feel so exciting. I think families are really going to appreciate having something like this closer to home."
Alicia also believes the broader Hampton Roads region provides a strong foundation for long-term growth. Military families, shipyard employees and others continue relocating to southeastern Virginia, while communities such as Suffolk have attracted residents looking for more space without leaving the region.
USA Ninja Challenge offers classes for children from early childhood through the teen years, with age-based instruction designed to help students continue progressing as they develop new skills. Although the obstacle courses draw inspiration from American Ninja Warrior, Alicia says the focus is on helping children gain confidence while staying active.
"When people hear 'ninja,' they sometimes think about fighting, but it's really much closer to American Ninja Warrior," Alicia said. "Kids are building strength, confidence and coordination while working through obstacles. I think that's something really valuable for children to experience at a young age because they're developing confidence and character along with those physical skills."
The curriculum also gives students measurable goals as they advance through the program. Alicia says earning new shirt colors helps children recognize their own progress while encouraging them to keep working toward the next milestone.
"A lot of it comes from working together, following instructions and always having something to work toward," Alicia said. "As kids progress through the program, they earn different shirt colors as they level up, so there's always another goal in front of them. I think that's really motivating because they can see their progress and continue challenging themselves."
The Bradshaws are currently focused on finding the right location, describing the commercial real estate search as the biggest step remaining before construction can begin.
Even so, they've already discussed what future growth could look like. Alicia grew up in Midlothian, where much of her family still lives, and said the Richmond suburb is one market they would consider if the Suffolk location proves successful.
"We've definitely talked about it," Alicia said. "I grew up in Midlothian, just south of Richmond, and that's one area we've discussed if this first location is successful. There isn't a USA Ninja Challenge there, and my parents and brother still live in that area. It's only about an hour and a half from where we are now, so it would be manageable to travel back and forth if the opportunity ever made sense."
For now, their attention remains on opening the Suffolk location and introducing local families to the concept. Alicia says she was also encouraged by the way USA Ninja Challenge approaches franchise development, taking time to find owners who genuinely connect with the brand's mission.
"I think they're looking for people who genuinely enjoy working with kids and have the drive and motivation to build the business," Alicia said. "They also seem to place a lot of value on character. I think they spend time getting to know prospective franchisees and looking for people they believe will be successful over the long term. I'd like to think they saw that passion in us."
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge.
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