Behind the Scenes with Pedro Schmidt: Leadership Lessons from the KA-EX Success Story
A personal recap by Blazy Flash
When a pharmacy student stands in a drugstore in Cologne, suffering from a hangover and unable to find a suitable product – and that moment leads to the creation of one of Switzerland’s most successful supplements – there’s clearly more at play than coincidence. It’s a story of courage, strategic thinking, and visionary leadership.
In the 𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉⚡️𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒌 with Pedro Schmidt, founder and CEO of KA-EX, I met a compelling entrepreneur who impresses with both clarity and humility.
Pedro launched KA-EX in 2017 – originally branded as a “hangover helper.” Today, the product has little to do with hangovers. It’s deeply rooted in the world of sports and has become a top seller in the US, especially in California, through the premium fitness chain Equinox. What struck me most was not only the product journey but the personal path of the man behind it.
A Modern Entrepreneur with Grounded Presence
Pedro speaks with a calmness and thoughtfulness that’s rare among start-up founders. He doesn’t talk about hustle culture or personal glorification, but about deliberate planning, scientific accuracy, and a healthy awareness of risk. His decision to invest his own savings in KA-EX instead of luxury items shows true dedication and focus.
The 𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉⚡️𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒌 revealed three key Transformational Leadership Insights:
1. Innovation Begins with a Real Need
Pedro didn’t create KA-EX to chase a trend – he was solving a personal problem: hangovers. Only later did he and his customers discover that the product’s real value lies in sports recovery. His openness to user feedback and ability to adapt the business model accordingly is a textbook example of user-centered innovation.
2. Resilience Through Crisis Awareness
The pandemic hit KA-EX hard – two-thirds of its revenue disappeared. But instead of collapsing, Pedro used the crisis as a catalyst: the team learned to operate more efficiently and identified new growth opportunities in the sports sector. His reflective mindset highlights the importance of resilience for sustainable growth.
3. Leadership Also Means Letting Go
Pedro speaks candidly about a potential exit in the coming years. For him, bringing investors on board also means honoring their perspective. A future exit, in his view, is not a failure but a logical step in entrepreneurial growth. This level of clarity and transparency reflects mature leadership – and a refreshingly ego-free approach.
The 𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉⚡️𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒌 with Pedro Schmidt turned out to be much more than a conversation about a supplement. It was a meeting with a modern leader who credibly combines science, entrepreneurship, and responsibility. If you want to understand how transformational leadership works today – with intellect, reflection, and a strong ethical compass – take a closer look at this 𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉⚡️𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒌 with Pedro Schmidt.
- Blazy Flash
Entertainer, Business Development Expert, Ambassador of Transformational Leadership
Curious about what else happened behind the scenes or want to dive deeper into one of the topics? Reach out – I'm always open to engaging conversations.
Watch the Flash⚡️Talk now presented by smzh:
https://smzh.ch/de/flash-talk/flash-talk-mit-pedro-schmidt-gruender-und-ceo-von-KA-EX/
About smzh:
smzh is your partner for individual, comprehensive solutions in the areas of finance and investments, pensions and insurance, property and mortgages as well as legal and tax matters. smzh attaches great importance to personalised advice in order to find the optimum solution for each client. As an independent financial services provider, smzh helps you to set the right course for a carefree future, always focussing on the needs, wishes and goals of each client.
About this Episode:
This Episode was filmed in Zurich, on December 11, 2024.
Produced and edited by SE Media.
SEmedia is a film production company specialised in high-quality film productions with state-of-the-art camera technology from Sony and RED. Present your company authentically and professionally with customised image films and create lasting impressions.
Find out more: www.semedia.ch
