“I wanted to bring something powerful and meaningful into the education and community space.”
Revital Chai of Dya Australia wanted to bring something powerful and meaningful into the education and community space – the same spark that transformed classrooms in Israel for over 20 years.
Back in Israel, Revi worked as a Dya instructor, travelling from school to school on her motorbike, running creative thinking workshops that helped students express themselves and think independently. When Revi moved to Australia, Dya’s founder, Diti Avdar Yeger, asked if she would like to bring the program here. That simple question planted the seed for a much bigger purpose – to help Australian schools, corporate and communities nurture creativity, confidence, and wellbeing through art and experiential learning.
At Dya Australia – The Art of Creative Thinking, Revi uses hands-on art experiences to build creative and critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovative mindsets in businesses, schools, and individuals through artist-led creative workshops in Melbourne.
“Having that consistent support and community has made a huge difference in how I plan, prioritise, and grow my business.”
Being a member of the HerBusiness Network helps Revi stay focused and accountable. Revi says, “The quarterly and yearly planning frameworks give me clarity and structure, so I always know what I’m working toward. My Growth Group, which meets every fortnight, keeps me on track – we share ideas, challenges, and wins. Having that consistent support and community has made a huge difference in how I plan, prioritise, and grow my business.”
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
When I first started Dya in Australia, I was fortunate to have Marnie LeFevre as my mentor. Her guidance gave me clarity and confidence at a time when I was still finding my feet in a new country and business landscape. Marnie’s approach to leadership – combining strategy, empathy, and creativity – really shaped how I run Dya today. She taught me that success comes from staying true to your purpose and building authentic relationships, which is exactly what Dya is all about.
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
I started Dya Australia because I wanted to bring something powerful and meaningful into the education and community space here – the same spark that transformed classrooms in Israel for over 20 years.
Back in Israel, I worked as a Dya instructor, travelling from school to school on my motorbike, running creative thinking workshops that helped students express themselves and think independently. When I moved to Australia, Dya’s founder, Diti Avdar Yeger, asked if I’d like to bring the program here. That simple question planted the seed for a much bigger purpose – to help Australian schools, corporate and communities nurture creativity, confidence, and wellbeing through art and experiential learning.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
What I enjoy most about running my own business is the sense of endless possibility. Every day, I get to create my own reality – to take an idea and turn it into something that touches people’s lives. Dya has been a journey of constant learning, both personally and professionally. It’s pushed me to live my potential, to grow through challenges, and to keep expanding what I thought was possible for myself and for the business.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- Better done than perfect – Progress builds momentum – waiting for perfection only delays growth. I’ve learned that action, even when it’s messy, always moves you forward.
- Managing people is hard but rewarding – invest the time to learn how to become a real leader. Building a team is one of the biggest challenges in business, but it’s also the most fulfilling part when you see people grow and take ownership.
- Don’t hide behind your desk – get out there and connect. The biggest breakthroughs in Dya came from personal connection – phone calls, meetings, and real conversations. Relationships build businesses, not algorithms.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
Find something you’re truly passionate about, because making a business profitable takes time and effort. It’s not a quick win – it’s years of learning, adjusting, and showing up even when things move slowly. But if you love what you do, you’ll have the energy and purpose to keep going. Passion makes the journey sustainable.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
Get comfortable with the basics of finance early on – understanding the ATO, business rules, accounting software, and your financial obligations will save you a lot of stress later.
Invest time in developing your leadership skills, because managing people is a completely different skill to running operations, and it makes all the difference as your business grows.
And finally, don’t overlook technical and digital skills – even if your business isn’t online, technology touches every part of how we work today. The more confident you are with systems and tools, the more efficient and empowered you’ll feel.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
My ideal business runs with a full calendar, seven days a week. Midweek would be dedicated to schools and corporate programs – bringing creative thinking and wellbeing into workplaces and classrooms. Evenings and weekends would be filled with private and public art workshops and events that bring people together to create, connect, and recharge.
Once that rhythm is established, the next step is to expand Dya’s programs into other states – building teams that carry the same energy, quality, and heart across Australia.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
Being a member of the HerBusiness Network helps me stay focused and accountable. The three-month and yearly planning frameworks give me clarity and structure, so I always know what I’m working toward. My Growth Group, which meets every fortnight, keeps me on track – we share ideas, challenges, and wins. Having that consistent support and community has made a huge difference in how I plan, prioritise, and grow Dya.
Learn more about Revital and Dya Australia.
