At PKF, we believe that behind every great business is a strategic team helping to turn vision into reality. Our journey with HIIT Pilates Studio, and founder Carla Sconce, exemplifies how financial clarity, business structure, and strategic foresight can transform a bold idea into a national franchise opportunity.
Carla approached PKF in 2020 with a bold concept: to blend high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with reformer Pilates, delivered in a sleek, tech-enabled studio setting. She wasn’t just looking for accountants, she needed partners who could help shape the commercial and financial roadmap for a business she knew had potential far beyond a single location.
From the outset, PKF’s Sydney Business Advisory Partner Madina Radinovich and team worked closely with Carla to get the foundations right. This included:
- Advising on the optimal business structure, including trust and company setup to enable future franchising.
- Establishing financial models that captured startup costs, forecasted breakeven timelines, and outlined different growth scenarios.
- Providing cash flow planning and operational guidance through COVID disruptions, helping Carla confidently proceed with launching her first studio in mid-2020.
Launching during COVID brought enormous uncertainty, from lockdowns and fluctuating public health restrictions to the challenge of creating a fitness community in a socially distanced world. PKF helped Carla navigate this landscape with confidence, offering scenario planning, real-time financial insight, and calm, consistent guidance. Rather than slowing down, Carla used the period to refine her model, systemise operations, and strengthen the business for long-term growth.
With strong systems and support in place, Carla opened her second studio just six months after the first, clear proof that the model was working.
Pivoting to franchising
By 2022, Carla began exploring franchising as a pathway to grow HIIT Pilates Studio, seeking a model that would allow expansion without the overhead and risk of additional company-run locations. What began as a plan to open eight corporate studios evolved into a broader vision: empowering others to build their own success under the HIIT Pilates brand.
To support this transition, the PKF team worked with Carla to:
- Restructure the business to segment core operations, the training academy, and franchise channels, enabling clearer financial oversight and governance.
- Develop franchise investment models, including revenue sharing, equipment costs, and performance benchmarks to guide prospective franchisees.
- Stress test the business model to ensure sustainability at scale, adjusting for factors like location specific pricing and rising fit-out costs.
- Provide advisory around hiring, software, and invoicing processes to support the move from founder led operations to systemised growth.
With the first franchise location launching in early 2025, Carla is now focused on strategic, sustainable expansion. “I want the brand to grow,” she said, “but in a way that gives others the chance to lead, build community, and thrive within a supportive framework.”
The first franchised location, owned by Shirley Chan, launched in early 2025 in Surry Hills. A former client turned certified instructor through HIIT Academy, Shirley exemplifies the ideal franchisee: passionate about the brand, deeply familiar with its values, and committed to excellence. Carla and her team supported Shirley through site selection and fit-out, with the entire studio launching in just four weeks once the location was finalised.
Today, HIIT Pilates boasts four studios, three corporately owned and one franchised. Since 2022, the business has also launched HIIT Academy, a nationally accredited teacher training program, and HIIT Retreats, immersive wellness experiences that reflect the brand’s commitment to holistic health.
At PKF, we’re proud to have played a part in this journey, from early-stage planning to franchise execution. It’s a perfect example of how proactive financial strategy and business advisory can help founders not only launch but lead with confidence.
Whether you're a startup founder, a growing business, or exploring franchising for the first time, PKF is here to guide you.
