After 14 years in health care management as a physician assistant, Tracy Smith was ready for a change. She wanted to make a positive impact on kids’ health in a more proactive way. Inspired by her own children’s love of Ninja classes and a desire to create a close-knit community, Smith saw an opportunity with USA Ninja Challenge. Now, she’s bringing the popular Ninja fitness program to Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, giving local kids a fun and engaging way to build strength, flexibility and self-confidence.

Smith wasn’t actively looking for a franchise but recognized a need for a more structured and exciting Ninja program in her area. USA Ninja Challenge stood out as the perfect fit, offering a comprehensive fitness experience that blends fun and physical development. This inspired her to bring the program to Montgomeryville, believing it would resonate with local families looking for active, confidence-building activities for their children.

With the Montgomeryville location set to open soon, Smith is eager to create a “Ninja family” within the community. Already involved in local sports and kids’ activities, she sees USA Ninja Challenge as the perfect way to blend her background in health with her passion for fitness and community building. She looks forward to seeing her own children, along with others in the area, grow stronger and more confident through this exciting fitness program.

1851 Franchise spoke to Smith about her franchise journey and plans for the future. Here’s what she had to say: 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Tracy Smith: I worked in health care as a physician assistant and spent about 14 years in health care management. Not only did I treat patients, but I also managed others who treated patients. Over time, I became more interested in doing something outside of the typical corporate environment. I wanted to pursue something more flexible and fitness-related. Instead of treating people reactively, I wanted to proactively help kids gain strength, flexibility and self-confidence.

I have three kids, and that influenced my decision as well. They’re very active, and one of them took Ninja classes, which sparked my interest in the idea of Ninja training. There wasn’t anything in our area quite like USA Ninja Challenge, so I saw an opportunity.

The desire to take a more entrepreneurial path, combined with my kids' interests and activities, ultimately led me to start with USA Ninja Challenge.

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?

Smith: I didn’t really have much of a perception because I never seriously considered going the franchise route. I wasn’t necessarily looking for a franchise — I was looking for something I could genuinely believe in and get involved with. When the opportunity with Ninja Franchising came along, it just clicked.

I’m not necessarily a “Ninja person,” so I’m not sure if I could have done this without the help of the franchise. It’s been great so far. They’ve helped me not only from a training standpoint and getting the business open but also from a sales and marketing perspective. Even before opening, I already feel more confident in sales and marketing. Overall, the experience has been very positive, and I’m excited to own my own gym while also having their support as I get started.

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

Smith: Before I learned about the brand, my daughter was taking Ninja classes, but they were part of a gymnastics program. It was more gymnastics with minimal Ninja elements. When I found out about USA Ninja Challenge, I realized it was a much more sophisticated Ninja program than anything we had in our area. I immediately thought the kids would love it. I’m still very happy with my decision to go with USA Ninja Challenge. The program is well-developed, and I feel confident that it’s something kids will really enjoy and benefit from.

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

Smith: My goal is to create a “Ninja family” within my community — a close-knit group that feels like a small community within the larger neighborhood. I’m already involved in other sports and kids' activities in my area, so I’m excited to bring this same sense of community to the Ninja program.

I’m also excited that my kids will be involved. I have an eight-almost-nine-year-old, a seven-year-old and a one-and-a-half-year-old. I look forward to having them there, along with their friends, and watching them help out as we grow. I want them to be part of the journey and to get other kids excited about the sport of Ninja as well.

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

Smith: When I found USA Ninja Challenge, I wasn’t looking on franchise sites or actively searching for a franchise because that wasn’t my initial focus. I heard about it from a staff member at another Ninja location who mentioned that it was a great place to work and an expanding business. I didn’t know this person very well, but their positive experience made me curious enough to look into it.

I started talking to other USA Ninja Challenge franchise owners, and everyone I spoke to said they would do it again. They expressed how excited they were and how much of an impact they were making in their communities. That positivity surrounding the brand played a significant role in my decision to open a franchise. It reassured me that this was the right choice for me.

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

Smith: My main advice would be, if you feel like you want to do something different and be your own boss, don’t shy away from that feeling. Working with a franchise and essentially working for yourself is definitely different, but for me, it feels like what I was meant to do all along.

The other piece of advice is to be patient. Just like with any new business, there will be bumps along the way — unexpected challenges, delays and surprises. You can’t be impatient or easily discouraged. In my experience, it took longer than I initially expected. It’s been over a year since I decided to go the franchise route. But there are always different organizations involved that need to do their due diligence, which can cause delays. If you can get through those delays and remain patient, I truly believe franchising is a great path to take.

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.