John Lazarou is one of the owners of The Coffee Club franchise group which started in Brisbane in November 1989 and now boasts 300 stores in Australia and a further 180 in nine different countries. With a passion for people and an even bigger passion for marketing, John started out as Head of the marketing department for 20 years, excelling in public relations.

While attending State High, John's first job was in a bakery where he would work from 2:00am to 6:00am before heading off to school. Leaving State High in 1978, John went on to Kangaroo Point Technical College (TAFE) to complete a hairdressing apprenticeship, eventually buying his own salon which he owned and operated successfully until 1989.

Some of John's special memories of being a student at State High were the musicals and theatre and he performed in several. Like many past students, he recalls Mr Bill Sole as a mentor, with whom he continued to catch up for coffee until Mr Sole passed away not long ago. "Bill helped many of us with ethnic backgrounds feel like we belonged and were part of the school".

When not enjoying his favourite pastimes of cooking and reading, John now likes to mentor and help the 8000 staff employed across the Coffee Club to achieve their goals and would offer the following advice to current students: "Never give up. I didn't. Find what you're passionate about and pursue it".