Why did you decide to bring Dynamic Pilates workout to Australia?

I walked into Bootcamp Pilates in London and just loved the vibe. I loved the people, the principles behind dynamic pilates and it just worked. I loved teaching and seeing my clients get results and from that day I knew I would bring the dynamic style of Pilates back to Australia. It just took me 2 more years before I was ready to leave!

What is it that attracted you to the health and fitness industry?

Definitely the state of mind people are in when they are in the fitness space. We are in their social time so it’s fun and clients are happy and pumped to train hard. I am a huge people person so I feed off client interaction. My passion is health and fitness and I love sharing that passion with like-minded people. We just get each other! I also love helping people achieve their goals and reach their full potential. And now that passion has changed to business and to helping people succeed in running their own business, hence why I franchised KX.

Are there any important messages you would like your instructors to communicate to your clients?

To enjoy themselves. KX is a fun environment to be in and our trainers are fun people to be around. At KX not just about the workout but the experience the client goes through. My Trainers are the rockstars of KX. They amaze me every day.

You started with KX Pilates, why did you decide to expand to KX yoga and KX barre?

I saw gaps in the marketplace. I only ever open a business up if I think I can add the ‘KX touch’ and made it a better experience for our clients. Barre was getting traction but was only geared towards dancers. What about the non-dancers? So we make KX Barre less dance focused and more High-Performance Pilates based with 2 x Ballet Barres so we can perform a lot more Pilates moves. KX Yoga was born out of my own personal frustration of being packed in a room and never feeling like I was doing any pose right. With too many in a room the teacher can’t give you that personalized service that we strive for at KX. Like gyms, you become a number. So KX Yoga was about smaller class sizes and an adjuster at peak times to help you get into the correct pose or push you further than you can push yourself.

What has been the largest obstacle in starting and growing your own business?

Tackling growth has certainly been a challenge but a good one to have. Also, management and politics is a constant obstacle. Women basically run my businesses and as good as they are at what they do, gossip comes into play that I think is toxic. Now it’s also putting the right people in the right places as we get bigger, and employing more people who are smarter than me!

What are your future plans for the KX group?

All I want to do is to be able to give more people access to the KX experience by opening more studios and bringing on passionate people to work next to. By the middle of next year KX Pilates should be in Brisbane and Perth as well as more studios opening up in Sydney and Melbourne.

I’m also really excited for the launch of our latest (and final) brand KX Cycle – set to open in Richmond VIC in Feb /March 2015 that will be run by my two newest business partners and young entrepreneurs Eli Censor and Ali Rosenberg. Watch this space!

We feel it’s extremely important to support local industry. As a successful and established business, what are some of the simple ways people can get behind new businesses and talents?

I’m constantly having coffees with people who are starting out in business and I help them as much as I can. I think it’s great seeing the passion that’s in their eyes that I had when I first started out. Give them free advice and ask for nothing in return. It all comes back around and I am a huge believer in Karma.

At KX we have a program in each studio that supports local businesses which I also think is very important. At the end of the day we are just many small businesses working our butts off, so bring the local community together is key.

Lastly, what does “success” mean to you?

To me, success is all about achieving your goals and striving to be a better person today than you were yesterday. Success is a journey and a choice.

 

 

Head over to People + Profiles to read our conversation with  KX Group founder & CEO Aaron Smith.

Book into one of the many amazing and unique classes at…

KX Pilates + KX Yoga + KXBarre + KX Cycle + KX Retreats + KX Pilates Running Group.

Locations across Melbourne & Sydney.