USA Ninja Challenge

Nikita and Niraj Talati are on a mission to help kids in Norton, Massachusetts, discover the joy of movement and the power of perseverance. As parents passionate about staying active and limiting screen time for their children, the Talatis were inspired to open a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usaninjachallenge.com/franchising/ninja-franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=husband-and-wife-team-brings-usa-ninja-challenge-to-norton-massachusetts-inspiring-kids-to-stay-active-2728011" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">USA Ninja Challenge</a>, offering an exciting space for kids to build strength, focus and confidence.“This franchise felt like a great way not only to build something for our family but also to contribute to the community by encouraging kids to stay active and connected without relying on digital devices,” said Nikita.&nbsp;With backgrounds in the IT industry, the couple sought a business opportunity that aligned with their family values and lifestyle. They were drawn to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge/info">USA Ninja Challenge</a> for its unique ability to provide kids with a fun and structured way to stay active. The couple plans to create a space where kids can enjoy screen-free fun, improve their physical fitness and experience the joy of overcoming challenges.Their ultimate goal is to foster a sense of accomplishment in every child who walks through their doors, helping them grow stronger both physically and mentally. With a commitment to their community, they’re looking forward to creating a positive impact by promoting healthy, active lifestyles for local families.1851 Franchise spoke to the Talatis about their franchise journey and plans for the future. Here’s what they had to say.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Nikita Talati:&nbsp;Both my husband and I come from the IT industry. We’ve always been energetic people and love staying active, and that’s something we try to pass on to our kids, especially in this digital era. We’re always looking for ways to keep them away from screens like TV and mobile devices.We started exploring franchise opportunities related to kids' activities because we love spending time with our kids — whether it’s traveling, engaging in arts and sports or just being active together. While looking at different options, we came across this franchise and it felt like the perfect fit for our family. It aligns with our values and helps us teach our kids important life lessons — like overcoming challenges — while staying active and building social skills.In this digital age, it’s hard to believe, but our kids don’t watch TV or use mobile devices. We’ve worked hard to create a lifestyle where we’re always doing something together — whether it’s arts, outdoor play or traveling to new places. This franchise felt like a great way not only to build something for our family but also to contribute to the community by encouraging kids to stay active and connected without relying on digital devices.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?Nikita: Honestly, before we got into franchising, we were hesitant. We thought it might come with too many restrictions like you’d have no flexibility or freedom to make decisions. But once we started exploring franchises and learning more about them, we realized it wasn’t like that at all.We found that franchisors are incredibly supportive, not just during the setup phase but throughout the entire journey. They’re there to guide you and help you succeed. It’s not like you’re left to figure everything out on your own after signing the agreement. That level of support is what made us choose franchising over starting something completely on our own.Niraj&nbsp;Talati:&nbsp;And not only that, but we also did a lot of research, especially from a fitness perspective. We realized this franchise could provide kids with a lot of fun while helping them become stronger, more focused and fully engaged. It’s all about creating an environment where kids can thrive.Our main goal has always been to make a positive impact — keeping the community happy and spreading that positivity. That’s what drew us to this opportunity. When we found this franchise, it felt like the perfect fit for our values and what we wanted to accomplish.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Nikita:&nbsp;For us, it was all about encouraging activeness in kids. With this brand, the activities — like the different levels and ninja-style challenges — are designed in such a way that kids are essentially working out without even realizing it. They see it as fun, but in reality, it’s helping them build strength, resilience and overall health.That’s what excited us the most about this company. It aligns perfectly with our values and what we wanted to bring to the community. It’s not just about fitness; it’s about creating a positive, engaging environment for kids to grow and thrive.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Niraj:&nbsp;Our goal is to give kids a sense of accomplishment and direction, helping them overcome challenges while having fun. At the end of a class, camp or party, hearing kids say, "Yes, we had so much fun!" is exactly what we want to achieve. That feedback from both the kids and their parents is what drives us.In terms of growth, our focus is on spreading this positive experience to as many people as possible within the community. We want to create an impact that benefits families and encourages active, engaged lifestyles for kids.Nikita:&nbsp;Yeah, we want parents to come to us and say, "My kids don’t want to watch TV or be on their mobile devices anymore. They’re asking to come back here and have fun!" That’s our ultimate goal — to create a place where kids are excited to go while also helping them stay healthy and happy. When parents see their kids thriving and enjoying themselves, it makes everyone happy. That’s what we’re striving for.1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Niraj:&nbsp;One thing we’d like people to know is that we are very fitness-focused, and health has always been a top priority for us and our kids. We’ve noticed that kids between the ages of 3 and 17 are so full of energy, and if we can channel that energy in the right direction with proper guidance, they can thrive.Our goal is to help kids enjoy themselves while building stronger physical and mental health. We’re passionate about creating an environment that encourages fitness and fun, both for our family and the families in our community.Nikita:&nbsp;We’ve always wanted to be actively involved with our kids, guiding them instead of just saying, “Here’s something for you — do whatever you want.” That’s not the kind of parents we are. We want to stand by them and support them whenever they need us, while also helping them become independent in their own way.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Nikita: I’d definitely encourage them to go for it. As we’ve experienced, this franchise isn’t just about building a business — it also promotes physical and mental health. If you love working with kids, this is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference.The franchise itself is incredibly supportive. No matter what questions we have — big or small — they’ve always been there to guide us. Even when we think a question might be silly or repetitive, they encourage us to ask. They’ve never made us feel like we’re on our own and that kind of support is invaluable, especially for first-time franchisees.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. As the only Ninja franchise partnered with the USA Pentathlon Multisport Olympic Team, USA Ninja Challenge is helping raise awareness for Ninja as an official sport, set to debut in the 2028 Olympics. 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=husband-and-wife-team-brings-usa-ninja-challenge-to-norton-massachusetts-inspiring-kids-to-stay-active-2728011" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.usaninjachallenge.com</a>.&nbsp;

Husband-and-Wife Team Brings USA Ninja Challenge to Norton, MA, Inspiring Kids to Stay Active

USA Ninja Challenge Opening in Norton, Massachusetts

1851 Franchise

Nikita and Niraj Talati aim to inspire kids to build strength and confidence (while having fun) through obstacle-based fitness at their new USA Ninja Challenge gym.

Husband-and-Wife Team Brings USA Ninja Challenge to Norton, Massachusetts, Inspiring Kids to Stay Active

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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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Husband-and-Wife Team Brings USA Ninja Challenge to Norton, Massachusetts, Inspiring Kids to Stay Active

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