THE 'WHY' BEHIND BUSINESS with Aaron Smith

If there was one thing you think society should talk more about, what would it be? 

“I believe business is the number one way people can do good / impact positive change in society today. The one question I wish society would talk more about is the WHY behind why people start businesses. With Tall Poppy Syndrome rampant in this country, I feel the assumption is for profit, but I would say 9/10 times an entrepreneur has a stronger purpose behind their WHY, and profit is a secondary outcome.”

Founder of KX Pilates, Aaron Smith is an award-winning fitness innovator, entrepreneur and author of DEFINE YOURSELF: When Passion, Purpose and Business Collide. Based on the Japanese philosophy of kaizen (continuous improvement), KX Pilates is a dynamic workout that has transformed both fitness participants and the business at large. Smith founded KX Pilates in February 2010 and has since built it into Australia's largest pilates franchise with over 110+ studios across Australia, Indonesia, China, Singapore, Taiwan and New Zealand.

Kaizen drives Smith physically and mentally and imbues everything he does, from the way he sharpens his business skills to the lessons he has applied to his life thus far. He lives and acts by the principle of creating a culture of empowerment for franchise partners so that everyone in the KX Pilates rises with the brand's success. Put simply, KX exists to change lives for the better.

As the founder of KX Pilates, Aaron has earnt multiple awards and recognition including 2021 Melbourne Young Fitness Entrepreneur, being recognised as an influential Victorian to watch by the Herald Sun in 2020, Australian Young Fitness Entrepreneur of the Year in 2019, was named in the top 3 of Australia’s Top 30 Franchise Executives (2020), and featured in the 2019 Top 10 Dynamic Entrepreneurs by Dynamic Business Magazine.

In November 2018 Aaron stepped down as CEO to focus on innovation and international expansion and I was eager to dig deeper into his story and find out what drives a guy like this who has created a very successful business network. 

For more information about Aaron, check out these places:

Instagram: @ajs_kx
Linkedin:Aaron Smith