Running a successful small business for 20 years is no small feat, and this year Pole & Aerial Divas Mornington reached that incredible milestone. Mornington holds a special place in the Divas family as our first franchised studio and the first Aerial Divas.
Over the years, PADM has become famous for its incredible community, known for bringing their infectious energy and positivity everywhere they go. This community has grown from the roots of the studio, starting with none other than the wonderful studio owner, Davina. For this reason, and many, many others, we are so excited to be welcoming Davina into the Divas Hall of Fame.
Before we proceed, we’d like to take a moment to thank Ainslie, one of Mornington’s Aerial instructors, who wrote this incredible speech for Mornington’s 20th celebrations. She wrote Davina’s story in a way that was just too perfect not to share.
What some of you might not know is that Davina started right where so many of us did, and certainly where most of the instructors did – as a student. A total gun on the pole, an absolutely legendary dancer, and someone who fell head over heels for the Divas concept. One day, and thank you so much for this Kennetta, she saw a poster in the studio asking for expressions of interest for franchisees and she looked at it and thought, “Yep. That’s me. I’m going to do that.” She was still a baby at twenty-three years old, and in true Dee style, she just went for it. Thank goodness she did.
What you wouldn’t be surprised to hear is that Dee arrived with this enormous, unstoppable energy, and she needed it as she built the Divas brand in Mornington. Back then, Mornington wasn’t quiiiiiiite ready for pole. There was real stigma and pushback that lasted for years, and promotion was only flyers, print ads….and pure determination.
So what did Dee do? She took pole to the people. Literally. Instructors went out and danced on street poles and stopped traffic – as if they wouldn’t. Dee got into venues to show this was something joyful and empowering: pole fitness for all women. She’d set up a pole at events like the Racecourse and show people exactly what Pole Divas was all about. There’s even been Divas flashmobs down on the beach, and we’ve taken the aerial rig to International Women’s Day functions too. And despite the knockbacks, Dee just never stopped. She never stopped.
That’s the heart of who Davina is. The truth is, when you’re in business, you do get knocked down from time to time. But Davina has never stopped pushing, never stopped innovating, and most importantly, she has never EVER stopped showing up for us. Kennetta said to me that Dee has been her rock over the years, and I believe that with my whole heart. Dee truly is someone you can always count on, and any time someone in this Divas community needs something or is in trouble, she will be right behind you, ensuring you have whatever you need.
Because of Davina – because of her vision and her grit, and compassion and enthusiasm for life, we have a place in Mornington. A safe, inclusive, magical place where women across the peninsula can walk in and feel lighter the moment they’re through the door. A place where every woman has your back and will support you no matter what. A place where everyone genuinely wants the best for you, and wants you to succeed.
So many of us call this studio our second home. When I (Ainslie) first joined as a student, an instructor told me that eventually all my friends would be Divas.” I laughed. Foolishly. And perhaps you’ve experienced this, too. You didn’t come to make friends; you came to exercise. But sure enough as the years rolled on, those Diva friends I didn’t come for have become some of the most important people in my life, and I hope in your lives too. Divas will show up for you when others might not. I think we are used to doing hard things together, and used to trusting each other, so it’s just a normal extension of that. Those same Divas friends are often, if not ALWAYS there for our biggest laughs, happiest memories and most exciting adventures. For the instructor team, that includes our annual limo ride to the Christmas party, where we never quite know what to expect with Dee, but it’s always hilarious, full of excitement and always full of love. Every year Kennetta says Mornington knows how to make an entrance….and how could we not when we’re following Dee.
Speaking of parties, as much as her stage performance and choreography is ICONIC, it’s the unscheduled performances that deserve the real standing ovation. Of course I speak of Dee’s absolute mad commitment to doing the worm at any given opportunity. Studio parties. Vine hops. Weddings. Christmas parties. On stage, off stage – honestly, anywhere there’s floor space.
We adore her. Truly. She’s the most understanding boss of all time – someone who genuinely cares, who supports ALL of us when life outside the studio gets hard, who makes us feel loved at all times and who has created this beautiful studio that means we look forward to coming to work. How can this possibly be work?! She’s become our bestie, a sister, and one of the most important people in our world. To us, she’ll always be Queen Dee.
So as we celebrate Pole & Aerial Divas Mornington turning twenty, Davina, we are really celebrating you. Your unwavering vision. The hours, the sacrifice, the blood, sweat and tears poured into this studio to make it a place where women feel safe enough to take a chance on themselves and try something a little out of the ordinary. They build confidence. They build muscle. They build friendships that last a lifetime — and it’s all because of you.
All the Divas studios are special. But Mornington has a little extra something something. As I always say, there is magic in the walls here. Maybe it’s the salty beach air. Maybe it’s the cruisy summers. But we think it’s Davina.
