Success, reinvented: How Dave Fastuca pioneered a new path in education

Picture this: You’re at the helm of a thriving tech startup, riding the crest of success, and yet, something’s missing. A passion, a drive, something beyond the world of technology. This is my journey, from tech entrepreneur to taking a leap of faith to reinvent myself as an education visionary, writes GrowthForum.io co-founder Dave Fastuca.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it’s the courage to continue that counts.”

– Sir Winston Churchill

These words couldn’t be more fitting for my story. I chose to leave behind my first baby – Locomote – that I co-founded with my cousin Ross, to dive head-first into uncharted waters with long-time friend, Luigi Prestinenzi.

Together, we founded GrowthForum.io, a platform and community dedicated to transforming education through sales and marketing courses, coaching and community.

Growing up in my hometown in Victoria’s west, Luigi Prestinenzi and I shared a mutual love for football. Our weekend games built a bond that, unbeknownst to us, was laying the foundation for something colossal in the future.

The turning point: A new vision for education

With my marketing skills, I was able to help grow Locomote to a valuation of over $50 million, leading to an acquisition in 2016 by the NYSE-listed company, Travelport.

After exiting Locomote in 2018, I spent time exploring the startup landscape and reconnected with Luigi. However, everything shifted when COVID hit. With Travelport looking to sell Locomote, among other businesses, an opportunity raised to breathe new life into my former company.

With renewed vigour and a fresh strategy, my cousin Ross and I bought Locomote back to its previous glory. Luigi played a pivotal role in this phase, coaching me and our sales team to secure a pipeline of over $1.5 billion.

Despite Locomote’s success, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had a greater purpose to fulfil. After much introspection and leaning on my network within Entrepreneurs’ Organization Melbourne, I realised my true calling lay in the realm of education.

With the belief that success in the digital age required a new approach to learning, I decided to take a bold step: leave Locomote and embark on a new journey.

Growth Forum is our ambitious project to revolutionise the way people learn and grow in today’s fast-paced world. Our mission is to create a community-driven course platform that connects learners with industry experts and thought leaders. Through interactive workshops, online courses, and one-on-one coaching, we aim to provide a transformative educational experience.

Lessons from embracing reinvention

There are three key things I learned in my journey to reinvent my career and follow my passion:

1. Understand the value of your interests

While our love for football may have seemed like just a hobby, it laid the foundation for a strong bond and ultimately led to the creation of something much bigger.

2. Explore different paths

Don’t be afraid to venture into other areas, even if you have a clear passion or skill. My marketing skills allowed me to co-found a successful business despite not having a background in the industry.

3. Adapt to changing circumstances

While acquiring Locomote back and helping it to its former glory, I still had an empty feeling and decided to pursue a new passion in a totally new industry. By adapting to the changing landscape and following my instincts, I was able to create something even greater than before.

Want more? Get our newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! Follow Kochie’s Business Builders on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.