The Mover talks to Manny Sahmbi, the founder of Happy2Move - 2024 winners of the Packer of the Year competition at The Movers & Storers Show.
In an industry built on trust, reliability, and attention to detail, independent removal companies often have some of the most compelling stories to tell.
Behind every smooth relocation is a team working tirelessly to make the process as stress-free as possible for their customers.
Happy2Move won the Packer of the Year competition at the 2024 Movers & Storers exhibition. The Mover wanted to learn more about their journey, how they stand out from the competition, and their thoughts on where the industry is heading.
First, tell us about your visit to last year's Movers & Storers Show and what it's meant to you and the team to win 'Packer of the Year'.
Last year's show was honestly one of the best I've ever attended. About 18 months before, I'd started properly networking for the first time which was something I'd always avoided, if I'm being honest. Not just in removals, but business in general. I'm naturally quite introverted, so putting myself out there felt uncomfortable at first.
But by the time I walked into Stoneleigh last November, that had changed. Instead of wandering around feeling like an outsider, I was bumping into people I'd been chatting to for months, you know, finally putting faces to voices. There's something brilliant about that moment when you meet someone you've only spoken to on the phone - suddenly they're real, and those business relationships become proper friendships.
Winning Packer of the Year was just incredible. I mean, we knew we were good at what we do, but to have that recognised nationally, competing against companies from across the country ... that was special. The team was over the moon too. It's one thing for me to tell them they're doing a great job, but having the whole industry acknowledge it? That really meant something to all of us.
Could you tell us a little about your company - how it began, and what led you to enter the removals sector? Was there a particular moment or opportunity that inspired you to start your own operation?
Where do I start? I was completely miserable in my previous job - one of those soul-crushing office roles where you're watching the clock from 9am. The commute, the same desk every day, the meetings about nothing ... I felt like I was just going through the motions, completely unfulfilled.
Then a friend of mine bought a little man-and-van outfit and asked if I fancied helping him grow it. I loved driving back then - ironic really, because now I spend half my time trying to avoid getting behind the wheel! But I thought, why not? What's the worst that could happen?
The difference was immediate ...
Photo: The Happy2Move crew; Manny Sahmbi is first on the right.
Click here to read the full story in The Mover magazine.