Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emily Allen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Emily, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

My husband and I knew early on that starting our own business was a lifelong goal—even if we didn’t always know what that business would be. It wasn’t about chasing a specific idea at first, but about building something of our own. After years of saving and waiting for the right opportunity, we began exploring franchises and were drawn to Ultimate Ninjas—a small, family-owned system that aligned with our values. What stood out was the mission: creating a space where kids could be active, build confidence, and challenge themselves physically and mentally. That purpose gave our dream a direction and made the decision feel right.

Emily, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Ultimate Ninjas Academy is a children’s ninja-themed gym that offers a dynamic alternative to traditional youth sports and fitness programs. We introduce kids to the exciting world of obstacle course racing and movement mastery through purposefully designed classes and custom-built obstacle gyms created in collaboration with professional ninja athletes.

Our mission is to provide a safe, high-energy environment where children can challenge themselves physically and mentally. Through climbing, jumping, swinging, and balancing, kids build real strength, boost confidence, and have a blast while doing it.

What sets us apart is our obstacle-based fitness model—an innovative approach that turns hard work into play. The truth is, obstacles are fun! And when kids are having fun, they’re more engaged, more motivated, and more likely to develop lifelong healthy habits.

In today’s world, people are used to instant gratification. But at Ultimate Ninjas Academy, one of the most rewarding things to witness is kids failing—and trying again. I tell them all the time: it might take you 50 tries to make it up the warped wall, but on your 51st try, you’ll get it. Watching that moment of breakthrough is what it’s all about.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

For me, it’s never just about brand loyalty—it’s about genuine human connection. At Ultimate Ninjas Academy, everyone I meet—whether it’s at an event, in the gym, or even in the parking lot—becomes part of our extended family. I’ve shaken their hands, swapped stories about our kids, shared laughs, and talked about things that matter—schools, neighborhoods, even where we go to church. Those aren’t just contacts in a CRM—they’re people I’ve built real relationships with.

That’s why I’ve always pushed back against marketing strategies that feel impersonal or gimmicky. I don’t believe in blasting out emoji-filled texts just to hit some engagement metric. Instead, I stay in touch by being present, by listening, and by consistently showing up in ways that are personal and meaningful. Whether it’s remembering a parent’s name, celebrating a child’s milestone in class, or just asking how someone’s week is going—I want every interaction to feel like it matters, because it does.

This approach doesn’t just create brand loyalty—it builds trust. And when people trust you, they don’t just stick around—they advocate for you, root for you, and bring their friends along too.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

We were fortunate to fund Ultimate Ninjas Academy entirely from personal savings—and I say we because this was very much a team effort between my husband and me. From the beginning of our marriage, we shared the same financial values, largely because we were both raised in homes that emphasized the importance of saving, living below your means, and giving generously.

We got married right after college and immediately started building good financial habits. With the exception of a mortgage, we’ve avoided debt altogether. Over time, through consistent saving and smart investing, we were able to grow the resources that would eventually fund this business. It wasn’t flashy or overnight—it was years of discipline, alignment, and shared goals. I’m incredibly grateful not just for the savings, but for having a spouse who believes in the vision and has walked alongside me every step of the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ultimateninjas.com/academy/loveland-co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ultimateninjasacademy_loveland
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ultimate.ninjas.academy/
• Other: https://portal.iclasspro.com/ultimateninjasacademyloveland