Self-described serial entrepreneur Julia Davis, ’01, recently began a new venture. Davis, a certified pilates instructor, and her business partner, Marina Kaydanova, opened BK Pilates in Raleigh, N.C.

Owning a pilates studio in Raleigh has been a long time coming for Davis and Kaydanova. The partners met when Davis lived in New York City and attended classes at the first BK Pilates location founded by Kaydanova. A friendship quickly developed, and Kaydanova proposed the idea of a Raleigh location if Davis were to return home.

When Davis moved back to N.C. in 2020, that dream started to become a reality. Earlier this year, they celebrated the grand opening of the first BK Pilates studio in the Triangle. As a longtime lover of pilates, it was the perfect opportunity for Davis to make her passion a business.  

“The best part is seeing the impact pilates has on people—whether it’s helping someone feel stronger, relieving stress, or simply creating a welcoming space for movement and community,” said Davis. 

The studio isn’t Davis’ first entrepreneurial endeavor. Five years ago, she founded Maslin Advisors, a consulting firm specializing in real estate, hospitality, and lifestyle brands. With over 20 years of experience in real estate and hospitality, Davis advises leadership teams on real estate development, business and growth strategies, operations, and other aspects of business.

“It’s a challenge to balance multiple ventures while ensuring BK Pilates maintains a high-quality experience,” said Davis. “But, like anything worth doing, the challenges are what make it exciting!” 

Persistence and adaptability are essential to managing all of the responsibilities of an entrepreneur. Davis began strengthening these skills at Meredith. As a transfer student, she had to adapt to a new environment quickly to find her place on campus and make friends.

Davis also credits Meredith with helping build her confidence. “I left with a strong foundation of confidence, adaptability, and resilience,” she said. “The smaller class sizes and personalized attention were incredibly important in helping me learn and find assurance in my abilities.”

Davis has no plans of slowing down. She hopes to continue pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities that align with her passions, as well as grow her real estate portfolio.

“Nothing in my life has been linear. Curiosity, persistence, and hard work have always propelled me forward,” said Davis. “More than anything, I want to keep building, creating, and contributing in meaningful ways.”