Louise Kirkham Float Fitness

What is the most interesting part of your work/business day?

My job involves building a unique brand in the health and fitness industry. My vision is to provide a one-stop-health-hub with a luxury boutique studio environment offering classes you won’t find down the road. I have a team of instructors, but I also spend plenty of time in the studio teaching people the art of aerial yoga and fitness. I especially love the creative side of my business. My dad owned an architectural firm in Auckland and as a young girl I often spent time visiting awesome spaces and talking with my dad about design and the little points of difference that make a space unique and stand out. I really enjoy creating a special atmosphere for workshops and retreats. But most of all I enjoy hearing interesting testimonies from our students about feeling better in their bodies and how the technique has improved their lives. This feedback makes all the hard work worth it!

When did you know that this was the career you wanted?

My desire to live life to the fullest is what brought me to where I am in my career today, but ultimately I fell into Antigravity by taking a leap of faith and booking some training in Australia. After being a fulltime mother for five years, I wanted to combine my lifestyle of daily exercise with my working life in order to maximise time with my family, friends and the great outdoors, especially the beach. I wanted to find a way to take my exercise away from the gym to methods that were in line with my passions and interests. The idea of yoga and similar exercise techniques have always appealed to me. I knew the benefits; it just needed to be a little more of an upbeat tempo for me. Then I discovered Antigravity Fitness and here I am healthier and happier than ever before! I would encourage everyone to choose a job that inspires them.

Throughout your career what was a highlight for you?

Six months into owning my business I was contacted by Antigravity Fitness management. They had been watching me closely on social media and were excited to finally have someone developing the brand and taking the technique in the direction they wanted in New Zealand. They offered me the chance to be the brand ambassador and Master trainer for New Zealand. As a bonus I get to work closely with the US Director of Training Darlene Casanova, who is an absolute genius Movement Specialist and the Global Master Trainer. I feel blessed and honoured, with her support, I have grown into a role that I would never have imagined would be possible.

What is the most challenging thing about your work?

Learning to manage others has been the most challenging aspect and pushes me outside my comfort zone at times. I’m not a natural leader, so I really had to grow and nurture this skill. I’ve had to learn to be clear with my intentions, especially as I am quite a private person and a peace keeper at heart. Communication is key! I feel like this has made me a stronger person both personally and professionally. I guess you could say it has made me really live the Float values: challenge your limits, flip your attitude!

What goals have you set for yourself?

My main focus is to grow Antigravity Fitness into a national brand and have studios in several cities around New Zealand. I would also love to see Antigravity recognised as a rehabilitation method covered through ACC.

Bianca Andrada-banez Cinch + Strike

What is the most interesting part of your work/business day?

What I love most about my job is having the autonomy to conceptualize and carry out initiatives that make our people motivated and happy. I can’t say I’m already an expert in this field, but that’s what keeps me excited every time.

How long have you been in business and what do you think drives your success?

It’s been 3 years and there’s still definitely a lot to learn. What drives me is this nagging feeling inside me to live a life that has a purpose and to be out of the ordinary. Seeing the rest of the team give their best has also been a great motivator for me, for which I’m truly grateful for.

What did you do before you become Self Employed?

I have been in the IT industry since 2009, mostly in the Telco and Systems Integration space. I started in the Philippines, doing Corporate Sales and later got exposed to Business Optimization and Alliance/ Partnership roles when I moved to New Zealand.

What inspired you to become Self Employed?

I was inspired by my husband, Donnie Banez, who is my co-director / Founder at Cinch + Strike. At that time, he already set up his own consulting business, while I still worked for a global IT company in Auckland. I saw how much freedom he had in terms of being creative in helping customers and running the business, and I wanted that for myself too. This may sound cliché, but, work-life balance is very true when you’re self-employed (if managed properly), because you get to choose your priorities and I saw that huge difference between my lifestyle and Donnie’s. And though I genuinely understand the importance of employees having to abide by their employer’s business direction, it also came to a point that it felt like it was time for me to create my own vision. And true enough, when Donnie and I decided to work together and set-up Cinch + Strike, great ideas suddenly became limitless and achievable. Being self-employed has given me access to more experiences, more learning, and more opportunities to help others.

Did you have any mentors throughout your career and how did they influence your decisions?

I did, and I owe them my success. I have four people in my life that I considered my mentors when I was still an employee and I still touch base with them until now. They all had different ways of moulding me, which has given me varied perspectives, and that helps me a lot every time I make business decisions.

Where did you study and what degrees do you hold?

I studied in Silliman University in the Philippines with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Ateneo Graduate School of Business, Philippines.

If you could change anything from the past, what would that be?

I’ve always found it interesting how technology reshapes people’s lives, so, I initially wanted to take up an IT degree, but decided not to. Instead, I settled for something that was easier, which was too juvenile of me. I have been told that I have a knack for writing, hence, the decision to take up Mass Communication in college. And that’s something I would change from the past, if given the chance. I reckon it’s still a win, though, because I ended up in the IT industry anyway.

When did you know that this was the career you wanted?

It was when I had a career shift and worked in a different industry. I am grateful for the work experience, but that just made me realize that I enjoy being in the IT industry more, so I went back and never got out, by choice. This industry (IT) is very remarkable, there is always something innovative, there’s never a dull moment, and it changes lives. And because technology is always evolving, it also makes me want to constantly upskill myself which is really good for personal development. It challenges me to do better, learn more and do more.