If you’ve ever set foot in Brazil and happen to be inclined towards fitness, chances are you’ve stumbled upon a Smart Fit outlet. It’s hard not to. They’re practically everywhere. But behind the expansive brick and mortar of this fitness chain stands Edgard Corona, an entrepreneur whose journey to the fitness world wasn’t as straightforward as one might think.
Before he became synonymous with gyms in Brazil, Corona dabbled in various business arenas, from laboratories to clothing stores. A skiing accident, followed by the necessity of physical therapy, provided him with an unexpected nudge towards the fitness sector. It wasn’t just about finding a new venture; he spotted a genuine gap in the market.
Having navigated multiple industries, Corona wasn’t a novice when it came to scaling a brand from its inception. With every stumble from past ventures, he learned. With every success, he adapted. These accumulated insights became invaluable as he set his sights on the vast potential of the fitness sector with SmartFit.
The challenge? The gym-going culture in Brazil wasn’t quite as robust as he’d hoped. To drive a shift, Edgard didn’t just settle for offering treadmills and weights; he crafted a fitness program that promised results without demanding overwhelming time commitments. And he wasn’t content just staying local – attending global conferences was his way of ensuring SmartFit kept pace in a fiercely competitive industry.
The strategy clearly worked. Beyond Brazil’s borders, SmartFit’s presence stretched into various Latin American countries, including but not limited to the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Mexico. Boasting a clientele of over 1.6 million, it’s undeniable that SmartFit has etched its mark in the fitness industry. Employing cutting-edge tech combined with a business model designed for scalability, it’s a blueprint for how the subscription model can indeed be done right.
Follow Edgard Corona on Linkedin.