I’ve had the same conversation in three different places this month; a coaching session, a catch-up over coffee, and a conference. Different people, same kōrero: “School wasn’t for me.”
It got me thinking about a thread I see time and time again in the entrepreneurial world, especially here in Aotearoa. Some of the most driven, gutsy, and creative people I know didn’t thrive in the classroom… but they’re thriving now.
Here’s why that matters.
There’s a real culture of clever, determined entrepreneurs in this country who left school early and forged their own path. They didn’t fit the traditional education mould but instead of that holding them back, it lit a fire. They chose their own learning journey, often far more focused and relevant than any textbook could offer.
Now, I’m the last person to knock education. We’re lucky in Aotearoa - our universities, vocational training, bridging and youth programmes offer incredible opportunities. In 2025, we’re the most educated humans in history. We’ve got access to tools, tech, and teaching that previous generations could only dream of.
But here’s the thing: school ain’t for everyone. And that’s not a deficit, it’s just difference.
Some of the biggest changemakers in the world didn’t finish school or uni: Apple, Microsoft, Twitter, Facebook. All founded by people who walked away from traditional education because it didn’t click. They didn’t stop learning. They just learned differently.
This week I read a 2024 post by Sir Richard Branson reflecting on his school days, where teachers called him “very backward.” He wrote:
“Going through school with undiagnosed dyslexia wasn’t all fun, but I’m glad I didn’t let it squash my big ideas.”
It was a lightbulb moment.
Because what I’ve learned is this: great businesses are built on great ideas and grit. Tenacity. Curiosity. Getting up when you’ve been knocked down. Leaping before you're ready. Starting even when it’s messy.
Traditional education often rewards structure, compliance, and avoiding mistakes. But business? Business rewards creativity, resilience, resourcefulness, and risk-taking.
In fact, a lot of my clients (and probably yours too) earn a decade’s worth of business education by the time they’re 28, just by being in the thick of it. Learning and earning on the job. Collaborating. Building teams. Figuring out finances. Testing ideas. Listening to customers. Launching and pivoting. Getting coaching. Asking for help. Trying again. That’s the real-world MBA.
And make no mistake — this is learning. Powerful, relevant, self-directed learning.
The entrepreneurs I know are some of the most relentless learners out there. They’ve got a superpower: grit. They're not just out there dreaming, they’re doing the mahi, building real things, and creating real value. It’s not a rejection of education. It’s just a different style of it.
And you know what? Many of them end up back in formal education but on their terms. They know what they want, so they can zero in on the skills they need. That kind of targeted learning? That hits different. When you own the journey, the destination feels even more worth it.
So let me say this: never take off your L plates. Be proud of them. Keep learning, keep stretching. The best entrepreneurs I know are sponges, hungry for knowledge, hungry for better.
Einstein said it best:
“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”
School’s not the only way to learn. If it didn’t fit — that’s not failure, that’s fuel.
Keep pushing. Stay curious. Hold onto your spark. The Real-World MBA is tough, but it’ll teach you everything if you let it.
The trick? Surround yourself with people who get it — who’ll challenge your thinking, back your potential, and help you keep moving.
Don’t fear failure. Enjoy the ride.
