We were lucky to catch up with Jen Voigt recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I would be lying if I said I’ve never laid in bed after a long day as a business owner and thought, “What if I could truly clock out at 5:00pm each day?” However, the rewards of owning Ninjas United far outweigh any negatives, so those thoughts are few and far between. In fact, Ninja United has been an outlet for me to pursue my dream.

Every since elementary school, I was inspired by the following well-known phrase: “Be the change you wish to see in this world.” Owning Ninjas United has given me the platform to create a microcosm reflective of change I’d like to see. I get to create an environment that is inclusive, non-judgmental, and uplifting. I hire staff that live out our mission and demonstrate kindness through all their actions. We put our phones away, we look people in the eyes as we teach. We create a space where everyone feels safe to make mistakes, learn, and grow.

(You may not want to include the following, but I think it speaks to the intentionality in which I try to create an environment for everyone). Since owning Ninjas United, I have received two notes from members saying that they were planning to commit suicide before attending the gym. They were struggling with loneliness, anxiety, and feeling unaccepted by the outside world. However, once they entered our little microcosm, they realized that genuine kindness still exists.

Jen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Prior to owning Ninjas United, I was an substitute teacher in the Osseo school district. When I wasn’t in the classroom, I spent my days juggling three active boys, one of which struggled with severe ADHD. As an outlet, we started him in American Ninja Warrior. He thrived in a sport that was ever-changing and rewarded a degree of impulsivity. After COVID, I took a huge risk and bought a gym. Over the past four years, I’ve grown the member count from 80 to over 600, and we are looking to expand in order to provide services to more people in our community. I spend my days making sure that every business decision aligns with our mission statement: “Our mission is to grow strong bodies, families, and communities through overcoming obstacles.” I have the absolute BEST team of coaches and admin who make this mission statement possible.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I learned a lot through reading “Give and Take” by Adam Grant. When it comes to interacting with my staff and members, I follow Grant’s statement: “Focus attention and energy on making a difference in the lives of others, and success may follow as a by-product.”

I also look to hire “givers” vs “takers,” This creates an environment in which all my staff is looking after one another to create a tight-knit community.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I always tell our coaches that our job is to provide the best possible experience for our customers. Each athlete should leave sweating, smiling, and having learned something new. We keep our classes organized, respectful, and focused. As a result, our customer base has exploded through word of mouth. We currently have over 300 kids on our waitlist, and some parents are putting their infants on the list so that they’ll have a spot in a couple years.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Ninjasunited.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ninjasunitedgyms/
• Other: https://kstp.com/tcl/ninjas-united/