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

Julia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

BK Pilates aims to help our clients achieve their health and fitness goals with customized routines designed to develop the essential mind-body connection, body definition, core strength, greater flexibility, and improved posture. We offer a safe, pressure-free setting for clients to practice self-care and find community.

I found my way to pilates as a way to “cross-train” for marathon running, but it quickly became more. Over the past two decades, I have received training and certifications in pilates mat and reformer, as well as yoga. This summer, I had arthroscopic hip surgery and have used pilates as part of my recovery program.

Pilates truly is for everyone! From athletes to prenatal and postpartum women, those who are recovering from an injury, finding their wellness journey, or focused on aging gracefully. The versatility of pilates means it can be tailored to meet each person’s unique goals. At BK we believe in making wellness accessible and focus on body positivity, self care and long-term health.

I believe our mission aligns with Raleigh’s community spirit and for us, providing an inclusive, empowering wellness space is important.

Julia, 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?

I have been a long-time student and teacher of pilates and yoga in addition to my career in real estate and hospitality. I am a Raleigh local and entrepreneur, and teamed up with Marina Kaydanova, owner of BK Pilates, to bring the pilates brand to Raleigh.

I fell into real estate over 20 years ago and have gravitated into hospitality during that time as well. I currently have a boutique strategic consulting firm that specializes in real estate, hospitality and lifestyle brands. Prior to starting my consultancy, I served as Chief Development Officer of the Americas for Soho House – responsible for the oversight and negotiation of Soho House & Co development deals in North and South America.

In my current role, I provide my expertise to leadership teams of companies in the lifestyle, real estate and hospitality sector(s). I have an extensive background in real estate transactions and development, strategy and placemaking, including the roles of Global Head of Real Estate Transactions at WeWork, and various roles with Breather (acquired by Industrious) and JLL. I have followed my curiosity, opportunities and taken on challenges throughout my career. This has allowed me to travel extensively and live in DC, SF, NYC and London. However, Raleigh has always been home, and during the pandemic, I moved back.

I have an entrepreneurial spirit and love of wellness, which is what brings me to my latest venture with Marina (Kaydanova) and BK Pilates Raleigh. During my time in NYC, I met Marina when I took one of her early morning pilates classes. The instructor-student relationship quickly morphed into a friendship and now a business partnership.

Raleigh is a perfect place for BK Pilates’ expansion as it fills a niche in the Triangle’s wellness community. Our expertly trained instructors safely provide dynamic workouts tailored to each client’s skill level, physical ability and body composition. Our modern, bright and airy studio is complete with state-of-the-art equipment, offering the ideal setting to explore the practice of pilates.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I have a few sayings that have carried me through challenging times at work or past athletic training. One is “short term for the long term” and another is “everything brings you to your next chapter.”

“Short-term for the long term” is the idea that if you work hard in the moment it will pay off down the road. And another, “everything brings you to your next chapter” meaning that I choose to see the silver lining in situations.

Although there have been professional challenges, failures and losses, there is always something gained that brought me to the subsequent act. Without those experiences, connections, and learnings, I wouldn’t necessarily have the opportunity that was in front of me.

This mentality and these sayings served me well working in fast-paced, demanding entrepreneurial and lifestyle organizations. I am a goal-oriented, hard-working, over-achieving person. As a first-born daughter and former athlete, I come by it honestly.

However, there came a point where I realized I was giving too much of my energy, time and self to these companies and allowed my career to define me. I knew I needed to make a change, and prioritize myself, my passions and life.

In January 2020, I decided that I wanted to take my learnings, talent and experience and apply them to my own concepts and businesses in real estate, hospitality, lifestyle and wellness. I am excited to put my efforts and energy into BK Pilates and thrilled to do that with Marina.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

In the winter of 2016, I had recently moved to NYC from SF and was looking for a new pilates studio and instructor. I signed up for a pilates reformer class via ClassPass with BK Pilates in NYC. At that point, I had been a devotee of pilates for several years. When I walked in the studio doors for my 5:45 am, there was a smiling Marina.

Class started and I quickly realized that despite Marina’s small frame and calm tone, she was delivering the hardest pilates workout. After that, I took classes 2-3 times a week and added in private lessons with Marina. It wasn’t long before we became friends.

During our time in NYC, Marina said “when you move back to Raleigh, let’s open a BK Pilates studio!” Years and many other cities later, I took Marina up on the offer when I moved back to Raleigh a few years ago. Last year, we began the search process for our first studio space in the Raleigh area.

While Marina and I are both Type A and similar in ways, our skills are complementary as Marina has been in the fitness industry for over twelve years, opening the first BK Pilates studio in Brooklyn and expanding from there. She knows the nuances of fitness, is an expert instructor and people manager. I have extensive business experience which allows me to see both the forest and the trees; the ability to link strategy to execution, oversee negotiations and pre-launch. As a team, we will deliver an amazing client experience.

We can’t wait to open our doors in January 2025 to BK Pilates Raleigh!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bkpilatesraleigh.com/
• Instagram: @bkpilatesrdu
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-d-22a6572b/

Image Credits

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