The Femme Files

The Lawyer who Ditched the Court Room for Pole Dancing

I love a good success story – especially one that involves pole dancing. A client recently told me about the pole dancing classes she’d been attending, in a new studio in Sydney. Curious about getting in touch with my inner vixen, I made some enquiries at the Pole Dancing Academy and discovered that the owner is an ex-corporate lawyer who has given up a life of strutting around the courtroom in favour of swinging around poles….

Michelle was working as a solicitor in a top Sydney firm, only she never really enjoyed her work, finding it too conservative and unrewarding. A friend suggested she do something that she loved as a creative outlet, such as dance, and so she decided to sign up for pole dancing lessons.  What started out as a secret hobby which she looked forward to after work, evolved into a passion. Before long, Michelle was dashing in her corporate suit to her local dance studio four times a week, where she started preparing for pole dancing competitions. 

Being an entrepreneur at heart, Michelle started to look at pole dancing not just as a way to pass the time, but as a business proposition. After consulting with her sister, she decided that together they would start their own Pole Dance Academy. “It was really scary to leave a secure, well-paid job to something so different,” Michelle said, “but we’ve both been doing pole dancing for over four years now, so we know a fair bit about it!” In addition to running her new business, Michelle still works full time, only now at a community legal centre so she’s one busy lady.

Michelle and her sister spent a solid six months preparing to open, developing the image and concept they wanted for the studio. “We basically wanted to create the sort of place we would like to come to – flirty, sexy and fun – naughty but nice!” Together they sourced all the materials needed (poles, decorations etc) and drastically renovated a run down property to make it fabulous.

Michelle describes the biggest obstacle as summoning up the courage to take the plunge and just do it! “There were many moments when we looked at each other and said ‘Are we completely insane?’ But we pushed ahead and now we’re both so happy we did it.” Any advice for other women thinking of starting their dream business? Michelle’s advice is not to be afraid to take a risk. “Do your homework and trust your instincts – worst case scenario, you’ll have learnt a valuable lesson for next time, and best case scenario, you’ll have created your dream job!”

For more info and class times, visit www.poledanceacademy.com.au.

Michelle is testament to the fact that there is a life far more exciting than the corporate world! Her courage to leave the stability of law to start her own business makes her worthy of being named our first Femme Files Inspirational Femme.  So many of us working in office jobs feel unfulfilled, but don’t take a leap of faith for fear of the unknown.  Do you feel like you are just rolling through the motions, working towards goals you don’t aspire to?  If you could ditch your day job in favour of your dream job - what would it be?