Henry Harris didn’t realize he had applied to work at High Point University.
When he got the call that they had received his resume, they thought he was perfect
for the job and he couldn't pass it down. It was another occupation to add to the other four or five jobs he was already working. Henry is currently an assistant manager and is now training for sous chef. He works at The Village Grille, the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and the Silver Line Diner.
Not everything in his life was as easy as landing his job at High Point University. At the age of four, Henry went into foster care. His biological mother went on her own path, leaving Henry to be placed around foster homes for 14 years.
At the age of 10, Henry was finally placed into his forever home. His adopted mother was a short Italian-Irish woman and his father was a tall Swedish-German man. They immediately welcomed Henry into their home with open arms. This was the beginning of Henry’s new life.
Henry remembers his first Christmas with his new family. It was the first time he ever celebrated Christmas.
“My mom and dad took us out to Toys R Us,” said Henry.
“Look, get whatever you want,” said his mom and dad.
"They bought us everything, so we ran up and down the aisle picking out games," said Henry.
"Eight hours later when we got to the register, I looked at my mom and dad and said, “this is going to cost a lot of money.”
“Yes, we will take all of it,” said my parents."
During this holiday season, Henry also got to chop down a Christmas tree for the first time. He and his dad hiked through a Christmas Tree farm looking for the perfect tree. It was the first time Henry felt like he was a part of a family and had his own Christmas traditions.
Henry’s parents sent him to military school and he loved it. His love for military school influenced him to train with the Marines. When he enrolled with the Marines training program, he was turned away due to his eye contacts. This devastated Henry. Without the Marines, he questioned what he would do.
Henry did not give up. He decided he would continue to help people. He came to the realization that he didn’t have to be in the military to help others. Because of this, Henry became an entrepreneur instead. However, he hit several bumps in the road along the way.
In 2003, Henry’s first-born son died of SIDS. He would have been 17 years old today. His name was Jordan. For Henry, this was one of the hardest challenges he had to face in life.
“The feelings and emotions were the hardest thing because you have to go on knowing you don’t have them anymore,” said Henry. “So, as years go on, you remember and you tell yourself it’s going to be okay. You try to succeed in life, coach people or help people, while still knowing you have that in the back of your mind.”
Between 2017 and 2018, Henry moved to North Carolina with his now ex-wife. They did this so that she could be closer to her mother who had cancer. Therefore, he began working in North Carolina.
“I talked to some sales reps and they started coaching me,” said Henry. “They told me that I should start my own company and I said I’m not there yet.”
Henry wasn’t ready at the time, but Henry is now an entrepreneur with his own business in the furniture market. Henry rents out warehouse space to furniture companies, so they can store their furniture during the High Point Furniture Market. This has become a business that is very successful for him.
On top of his furniture business and his job at High Point University, Henry works several other jobs. He is a limo driver, delivery man and works for a moving company.
“It’s never a financial choice,” said Henry. “Yes, we will all need it and High Point pretty much pays the bills. […] It’s more of an opportunity to advance myself in my career and be able to be an entrepreneur, while doing the things I like to do.”
Although Henry has faced lots of challenges in life, he continues to be a positive and caring person in society. He even said that if he were to die tomorrow, he still wouldn’t quit his jobs. He loves working because he loves helping others. He is even planning to run for city council to continue his participation in helping the community.
Henry should be a reminder to everyone that no matter what challenges you are facing, being kind and helpful can make a huge difference in life. Everyone has a purpose, and we should all learn how to make the world a little brighter like Henry does every day.
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