Shirley Chan is the first-ever franchise owner of HIIT Pilates, launching her studio in Surry Hills while still working full-time as a chartered accountant.

 

With a background in finance and international experience in Toronto and London, Shirley never imagined she’d find herself in the fitness industry, let alone owning a Pilates studio. But a long-standing connection with HIIT Pilates founder Carla Sconce, and a personal decision to try something new, set her on a very different path.

 

After completing the HIIT Pilates Academy training, Shirley began teaching on weekends while juggling her demanding career. What started as a side interest soon evolved into a serious conversation about franchising. Over the course of a year, she and Carla worked through the details, location, setup, support and eventually launched the first HIIT Pilates franchise in early January 2025.

 

In this episode, Shirley shares the full journey from training and startup challenges to marketing her studio, building community, and learning on the fly. She talks openly about time management, the benefits of a franchise model, and her long-term vision to grow into multiple studios with a strong team around her.

 

This is a real and relatable story about starting something new, backed by belief, structure, and plenty of late nights.

 

0:00 Introduction

1:14 What is HIIT Pilates

2:43  How Shirley discovered Pilates and met Carla Sconce, the founder

5:37 Studying commerce, becoming a chartered accountant, and moving abroad to Toronto and London

8:32 Discovering the HIIT Pilates Academy on Facebook and signing up to become an instructor while working full-time

11:12 Becoming an instructor without a set plan and how Carla’s support built her teaching confidence

13:51 Sharing her dream of owning a studio on day one of training and balancing teaching with a full-time career

16:36 No franchising background, learning the ropes, and a year-long conversation with Carla before opening her studio

18:30 Balancing full-time work with running a business and the importance of support from Carla and family

20:08 Benefits of franchising versus starting from scratch and the journey to finding the right studio location

24:25 Finding a creative outlet through marketing and building community in the studio

26:10 Shirley's vision for the future, growing to multiple studios and building a strong team

27:12 Wrap up

 

Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au

 

Listen or Watch on;

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2rwu2sb4

Apple Podcasts: 

Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/y52428k4

YouTube: https://youtu.be/ifboXH9QUCI