State Wide Pool Services
Known as Hydrilla since September 2020 - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/hydrilla-pty-ltd
read moreKX Pilates founder Aaron Smith has stepped down from his position as Chief Executive, with Selina Bridge, the former General Manager of Curves Oceania, taking on the role.
Explaining that he will now take on a more directional role with the business, Smith, founded the business eight years ago and has built the fitness franchise to achieve an annual revenue for 2017/18 of $20 million, told Inside Franchise Business that he will now take on a more directional role with the business.
Smith (pictured above) advised “my goal was to take the business to 50 studios, and we reached that milestone a couple of months ago and our first international. We’ve been growing quite substantially and I just needed to press pause. The business needs someone who can manage and grow the current network to 150 studios in Australia.
“I could keep going forever but I have a passion for people, a passion for innovation. I’ve got a classic enterpreneur’s mindset. I’m still passionate about the company and the founder’s role, I will get to every state every quarter, spreading the founder’s ‘fairy dust’."
Commenting on her new position, Bridge advised “I look forward to working with the KX Pilates team to further grow the business, leveraging the great work that Aaron and his team have done to build an extraordinarily strong and reputable fitness brand.
“I am passionate about the health and fitness industry and see a wealth of opportunity for the KX brand to continue its expansion across Australia and overseas.”
Smith told Inside Franchise Business the time to move on was right for him and the business and is relaxed about handing over the reins, adding “I’ve always found it quite easy to release control and empower people in skill sets where they are better than me. I’ve always believed in hiring people more skilled than you.
“Yes, I’m running a 50-studio business but I’m not a good manager, It’s not something I love.
“I’m fairly good at leading. I believe if you spend more time in your strengths, you’ll be more successful.”
The move gives Smith the opportunity to return to the roots of the business, running occasional specialty classes.
It will also allow him to focus on the innovations he’s been working on behind the scenes as the business has grown, initiatives designed to establish a competitive edge through complementary branded projects.
Customised and branded wholesale Pilates equipment is one initiative that is getting close to completion - customising generic machinery has been the first step, but Smith has just finished the design of a piece of equipment from scratch.
“There’s a lot of competition in fitness and Pilates, so apart from the brand and the experience, it’s exactly the same. What experience are we delivering, what can we offer that no other brand is offering, and what can we do to strengthen our IP?”
Smith views equipment and education as valuable tools to consolidate the brand so he expects to launch a basics Pilates program that can be offered externally while keeping the specifics of the KX Pilates method exclusive to the studios.
12th September 2018 - KX Pilates’ opens 50th franchise and first international studio
17th April 2018 - KX Pilates founder describes eight years of business growth
14th April 2018 - Women drive global growth of boutique fitness studios
12th March 2018 - Australian fitness industry revenues to grow to $2.4 billion by 2022/23
21st July 2017 - KX Pilates makes a stand on sham contracting
24th March 2016 - Activity entrepreneurs share their business secrets
28th September 2014 - KX Pilates expands with Sydney studio opening
27th February 2014 - KX Pilates franchises its high performance Pilates training
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
Known as Hydrilla since September 2020 - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/hydrilla-pty-ltd
read moreInterQuad (International Quadratics) With a combined legacy spanning over 150 years, International Quadratics (founded in 1976) and Pierce Pool Supplies (originally established in 1898 as A H…
read moreParkequip is an approved supplier under the NSW LGP Contract 308 for a range of products including play equipment, shade, shelters, safe fall, park furniture and school outdoor seating. All materials…
read moreICP is an Australian-based company focused on indoor climbing. ICP will manage your project from initial design to completion and beyond, whether you're building an international-level climbing…
read moreCentaman has been a market leader in Enterprise Software Solutions for the leisure and recreation industry and both profit and not-for-profit attractions since 1991. It offers a wide range of software…
read morePathMinder Pty Ltd have partnered with AllUser Industries srl to bring Europe’s most advanced high security portals to the Australian and New Zealand markets. AllUser Industries started to…
read moreContact: Australia: (+61) 1800 849 001 New Zealand: (+64) 3 668 5727 International: (+1) 415 915 0375
read moreTurnstile Entry Systems and Access Control Centaman Entrance Controls’ Award Winning Range of Access Control Systems includes tripod & triarm turnstiles, speedgates, full height…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!