Harry Chevins on Success, Business and Life After College

My name is Harry Chevins, and I am one of the Directors and co-founder of Transport 29 Ltd, a nationwide freight forwarding specialist.

From 2015 until 2019/2020.

I studied a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business (Triple D*), followed by a Level 4 HNC and a Business Administration Apprenticeship.

Following the loss of my brother three years before I started college, I struggled with grief and my mental health. I decided the BTEC route offered more flexibility over A-Levels, as the grades weren’t based on final exams. I had thoroughly enjoyed business studies in school, and with aspirations to start my own business eventually, it seemed the right fit for my situation.

I aspired to work for myself in an environment that supported mental health. On a personal level, I aimed to become a homeowner before the age of 21.

Academically, the most valuable thing I learned was basic accounting skills, which have been invaluable as a business owner. Personally, I discovered the type of person I wanted to become and made lifelong friends with similar values.

I went straight into work following my Level 4 and Apprenticeship. I had already been working for a machinery dealer during my Level 3 and continued there until the end of 2020.

I still believe this was the right decision. I wanted to hit the ground running and never saw the appeal of university life. I had seen the struggles university students often face when trying to enter their chosen industries with no career experience, and I wanted to avoid that.

Not particularly. I’m proud of the career I’ve built, and I don’t feel I’ve faced any major barriers.

I believed I’d work my way up to a senior management position at the company I worked for at the time. I did get a couple of promotions, but I left after four years when the company relocated three hours down south, making it no longer a feasible career option.

I now run a successful national freight forwarding business, Transport 29 Ltd, which I co-own with my brother. We incorporated in 2021 and specialise in same-day deliveries, from small vans to articulated lorries. After leaving my previous job due to relocation, I worked for a national UK haulier, where I felt like just a number. My brother had worked there for over a decade, and together, we saw an opportunity to combine his industry knowledge with my business acumen. Year on year, we have grown into a successful family-owned business.

Not significantly. My ambition was always to run my own business or hold a senior management position at a company I care about. I want to continue growing my business, and I remain committed to prioritising staff mental health, which has been a core principle in shaping our company culture.

Building my business. Turning a dream into reality and growing it into a successful company with an annual turnover exceeding a quarter of a million pounds in under four years—relatively fresh out of college—is a real ‘pinch me’ moment.

I don’t like to dwell on the past because every decision has shaped my journey. I might have completed an extra year to finish my HND, but the knowledge foundation I gained was clearly enough to set me on the path to success.

There’s time to figure everything out. If you’re passionate about something or have a goal, you can achieve it. There’s always more than one path to the future you want—trust your gut and be yourself.

I wish I had built my interpersonal skills more, spent more time socialising, and learned how to connect with people better. Communication is an underappreciated skill that is vital in almost all jobs.

Relax. Stop putting extra pressure on yourself. Life moves quickly, and I underappreciated the flexibility and freedom I had at that age. College is the sweet spot in life - you’re a young adult with few responsibilities. It’s the time to have fun, make mistakes, learn from them, and not regret them.

My college experience played a massive part in shaping me as an adult. The environment at NULC (as it was then) was welcoming, I was treated like an adult, and I received a great education from experienced lecturers. But one of the most important things was the connections and friendships I built there.

Success is incredibly subjective. One person’s success can’t be measured against another’s because every situation has trade-offs. To me, success is a happy and healthy life, working in an environment that I enjoy and am proud of. By my own terms, I am successful. Life isn’t a competition at the end of the day!

Don’t overthink it. Life happens, things change, and unless you have a specific passion or dream to follow, there’s no need to make rigid decisions. Find something that makes you happy. Money isn’t everything, but if you can smile through life, you’re doing great.