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"Your grades do not define you," 5 successful entrepreneurs share their advice for A Level students who have faced a setback this week.

With a million students opening their A Level results this week-not everyone will have got the results they were hoping for. Whether it's retakes, deferring, going through clearing or deciding University isn't the right option, 5 successful entrepreneurs share their advice.

"I didn't take any A Levels but I'm still a 7-figure business owner, Author of Sunday Times Bestseller Make Money Online  Lisa Johnson.

"Each year, I want to remind those getting A level results that if you don’t get what you were hoping for, it’s not the end! You can love what you do, make a big impact in the world and make millions without A levels. As a seven-figure business owner, I didn’t take any A levels. It wasn't the end of my educational pursuits (I still went on to get a law degree), but didn't stop me achieving my goals of being an author and running a successful business. I meet many successful entrepreneurs every single year and most of the big earners I know took no A levels and got no degree-but they still made it on their own terms! So please don’t be disheartened!" 

"Your grades do not define you!" Online Business Growth and Visibility Strategist Matt Hall, @matthallofficial

"Your grades definitely do not define you: they’re just an idea of how you performed in a very specific environment, not a measure of your worth or potential. Most people see that! And more than ever with the online world and AI I believe grades are becoming less and less relevant.  Play the long game: whatever today’s result, your success will come from what you do next, how you adapt and the skills you build over time. Get focused on who you want to be, what you truly want to do and how to become outstanding at that thing you choose to do. Think beyond the traditional path – university isn’t the only route. Apprenticeships, starting a business, freelancing or travelling can all teach you skills you’ll never get from a textbook. Do research and don’t just follow the old school mentality. There’s a whole world of incredible opportunities to make money that doesn’t involve getting a traditional job. I think that EQ is more valuable than IQ. And it’s often the thing that will get you paid the most. Focus on relationship building, self-awareness, self development and building your confidence and public speaking. In my experience, these are the skill sets they will help you get paid the most in general and not just grades.

"It's not the whole map of your future," Motivational Speaker Kayleigh Greenacre.

"To everyone getting A-Level results… this is a milestone, but it’s not the whole map of your future. Whether you’re feeling proud, relieved, or even a little unsure, my advice is the same: take today as a moment to pause, reflect, and get intentional about what comes next. Results are just one part of your story, what matters most is how you use your energy, your ideas, and your drive from here. As a globally successful entrepreneur who used to be an Assistant Headteacher supporting students with the A Levels, I can tell you that the most valuable skills you’ll ever develop are resilience, adaptability and self-belief. Learn to back yourself, even when things feel uncertain. Stay curious, say yes to opportunities that excite you, and don’t be afraid to try, fail and try again.

No matter your path - university, apprenticeships, travel, work, or building something of your own, choose it with purpose. Make decisions that align with who you want to become, not just what you think you should do. Your future is waiting for you to fully believe in yourself and go for it!

  "I got over the disappointment and gained so much more than my qualification!" Jane Johnson, a a teen mindset and confidence expert with 27 years experience working with teens

"When results day doesn't go to plan, it can feel like the end of the world, but it can be just the start of a different, and even a better, path. I know this first-hand. I didn't get the grades I needed for the university I had my heart set on. After I got over the disappointment, I looked at my options: retake my A levels, choose a different university, do something completely different, or take a year out. I decided on a year out and then a retake. I spent my year out in France, working as an Au Pair I came back, re-took my French A level, and finally achieved the grade I needed. But by then, I'd gained so much more than just a qualification — I was independent, confident, and ready to throw myself into university life. My advice? Don't see a setback as failure; see it as a chance to pause, grow, and take a route that might just prepare you better for the future you had planned"

"A couple of grades don't define the rest of your life," Family law solicitor Fotoulla Menikou.

"When I got my A level results, they weren't bad but they weren't quite what I'd hoped for either. At the time, it felt huge because that's what we're taught to believe, isn't it? That a couple of grades on a bit of paper will define the rest of your life. But here's the truth: they don't. They didn't stop me from qualifying as a solicitor, from doing work I truly care about or from building a career that aligns with my values. If you want something enough and you're prepared to put in the effort, even if the route there looks different from what you imagined, you can still succeed. Your grades don't get to decide your future. You do."

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by BUSINESS WRITER .