From School to Startup: Athan Didaskalou, July Founder, on Redefining Success

If your teenager is facing big decisions without certainty, this helps. Confidence often comes after action, not before. It is for parents and students rethinking direction. What if the path you are meant to take only becomes clear once you stop chasing the right one? Athan Didaskalou, founder of one of Australia's most recognisable lifestyle brands, July, talks honestly about his relationship with school, the uncertainty he felt early on, and how curiosity, courage and lived experience mattered more than perfect results or a linear pathway. His story is a reminder that there is no single right pathway after school, that skills can be built through experience, and that one result never defines future potential. Whether you are a parent or a student unsure what comes next, this offers reassurance and practical insight. What you'll discover: • Navigating uncertainty after school with no clear plan • Why curiosity and experimentation beat early certainty • The risks and realities of starting something from scratch • How parents can support exploration without pressure • Why success looks different at every life stage Whether you’re a parent supporting a young person through big decisions, a student unsure of what comes next, or someone rethinking their own direction, this episode offers perspective, reassurance, and practical insight. More Than a Score: Redefining Success Beyond School is hosted by Laura Pitt and Dan Steele, a former teacher and award-winning school leader on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. New episodes fortnightly. Subscribe to follow along.