Top 10 most suprising courses

Did you think that success in life was reserved for those who followed a traditional academic path? Or that your degree inevitably determined your trajectory?

Disguise yourself! Discover 10 of the most unusual journeys of personalities who defied expectations and blazed their own trail to success!

1. Anthony Bourbon - From homeless to successful entrepreneur

Imagine being homeless at the age of 16. That was the reality for Anthony Bourbon, originally from Bordeaux. Despite this difficult start, he continued his studies and obtained a master's degree in private law specializing in real estate finance. Driven by dogged determination, Anthony built up his own capital over the years, developing his own small businesses. Famous for his Feed brand, now valued at over 200 million euros, Anthony Bourbon is an exceptional entrepreneur. Always at the forefront, he runs several companies and recently launched Blast.Club, an investment fund accessible to all with a minimum investment of 1,000 euros. His success is a testament not only to his entrepreneurial talent, but also to his ability to overcome obstacles with determination and resilience.

2. Jean-Paul Gautier - Self-taught couturier

Since 1976, Jean-Paul Gaultier has established himself as an iconic fashion designer, shaking up conventions with daring and humor. Born in the suburbs and with no formal training in fashion, he forged an exceptional destiny to become one of the world's greatest couturiers.

Jean-Paul Gaultier embodies a remarkable entrepreneurial spirit. Building on his success, he launched his first fragrance, Classique, in 1993, taking on a new challenge. This iconic fragrance immediately captured the hearts of many followers, testifying to the irresistible appeal of this singular object of desire.

3. Michel Drucker - The Master of Entertainment

Michel Drucker, French television legend, has built an atypical and surprising career. Born in 1942 in Calvados, he didn't have a baccalauréat or BEPC, but his passion and hard work propelled him to the top of the small screen. His adolescence was marked by family pressure, but at 17, determined, he left the family cocoon to sign up for military service, then went into television at the ORTF. From 1964 to 1975, he enjoyed remarkable success as a sports reporter. Thereafter, he devoted himself to entertainment programs, notably on TF1, before joining France 2 in 1994. There, he created cult shows such as Vivement Dimanche, where he hosted well-known personalities every week. His career testifies that with determination and talent, anything is possible in any field.

4. Zinedine Zidane - From the pitch to the school bench

Zidane began his career without a degree, but that didn't stop him from shining on soccer pitches the world over. After ending his sporting career, he decided to further his education in preparation for his second professional career. He thus obtained a general diploma in sports club management. Today, as an iconic figure at the helm of Real Madrid, one of soccer's greatest clubs, Zidane demonstrates once again that determination and perseverance are the keys to success.

5. Omar Sy - Actor without a label

Born on January 20, 1978 in Trappes, Yvelines, Omar Sy comes from a modest background, the son of a Mauritanian cleaning lady and a Senegalese laborer father. His childhood was spent in the Trappes neighborhood, alongside his friends Jamel Debbouze and Nicolas Anelka. At the age of 17, Omar worked at Radio Nova alongside Jamel Debbouze, Fred Testot, Vincent Desagnat and Michaël Youn. Invited to the Festival de Cannes for Jamel's Cinema, he decides, a month before passing his baccalaureate, to give it all up. Canal+ then offered him a duet show with Fred Testot, Le Visiophone, which met with great success.

This success enabled him to continue in the world of entertainment, performing sketches on TV and on stage, with shows such as "Je ne fais pas mon âge", "Service après-vente" des émissions and Omar et Fred : le spectacle. From humor to tragedy, he went on to play roles in some of the biggest films, notably Intouchables, confirming his talent and versatility on screen.

6. Émile Zola - The writer who conquered without grammar lessons

Émile Zola, despite failing his baccalauréat twice, rose to become one of the greatest writers of all time. Known throughout his lifetime, he produced a multitude of remarkable works. As a journalist and committed writer, he not only wrote, but also denounced injustice. The last years of his life were marked by his involvement in the Dreyfus affair. In January 1898, he published the article "J'accuse...!" in the daily L'Aurore, which led to a libel suit and his exile to London the same year. This action testifies to his courage and determination to defend his convictions.

7. N'Golo Kanté - From field to success

Famous midfielder of the French national team, N'Golo Kanté 2018 world champion, known for his shyness and humility. Aware that a sporting career can end overnight, N'Golo obtained a BTS in accounting. With a BTS in accounting in his pocket, N'Golo Kanté has shown that success on the pitch can go hand in hand with academic skills.

Discover the journey of our teams:

Find out more about Mathieu Germain, Managing Director of Alphea Conseil in Thonon les Bains

8. Sébastien Loeb - From electricity to rallying

A sportsman from an early age, Sébastien inherited this passion from his father, a former gymnastics champion. From the age of 3, he took up the discipline, racking up success after success in competitions. In 12 years of practice, he became 4 times Alsace champion, 1 time Grand Est champion and ranked 5ᵉ at the French Championship. Leaving school to train in electricity, Sébastien Loeb quickly made his mark in the world of motoring, where his passion took him far and wide. He gradually established himself as one of France's leading drivers, racking up victories and titles. With 80 races won and 9 consecutive WRC titles between 2004 and 2022, Sébastien Loeb has become a true rally legend.

9. Tibo InShape - The Fitness Influencer

With a Bachelor's degree from a business school, Tibo, driven by an unwavering passion for fitness and nutrition, quickly made the decision to leave the school benches behind to devote himself fully to his chosen field. Abandoning the traditional route to a degree, Tibo InShape set about building his empire on YouTube, where his perseverance and expertise have won over millions of viewers in search of fitness and wellness advice and inspiration. Now at the helm of a company dedicated to nutrition: Inshape Nutrition, Tibo has capitalized on his popularity to develop new businesses.

10. Sébastien Chabal - From business school to the field

Sébastien discovered his passion for rugby at the age of nine, and after a break, he returned to the pitches at the age of 16.
His professional career began with a BEP in mechanics, followed by a job as a lathe-mill operator. He then went on to earn a diploma from the renowned EM Lyon school, where his 1.91m height made him no stranger to the limelight. A more than atypical career path!

11. But where are the women in this article?

After extensive research, it's striking that even today, too few women dare to venture into entrepreneurship without a degree. Is it imposter syndrome that holds them back? A feeling of illegitimacy? These are questions worth raising. In 2022, only 33% of businesses were created by women. Yet women are definitely present, but they seem to need more baggage than their male counterparts to embark on the entrepreneurial adventure.

Here are a few examples of inspiring women with remarkable career paths: Céline Lazorthes, founder of Leetchi; Anne-Sophie Pic, the world's most starred chef; or Kelly Massol, a multi-faceted entrepreneur and investor. These inspiring women show that, with passion, determination and support, they can reach new heights in the world of entrepreneurship, whatever their educational background.

So, whoever you are graduate or self-taught, success depends above all on your passion, your perseverance and your ability to seize the opportunities that come your way. These examples remind us that no degree can define your success.

At Alphea Conseil, we help dozens of women and men every year to realize their entrepreneurial dreams! Between our skills assessments, outplacement, coaching or training, we help you take your destiny into your own hands!