Southampton IT worker quits job to chase his dream

Russell Walker, 44, left behind his former job to follow his dream of converting vehicles for a living, having previously juggled his hobby during evenings and weekends.

Russell, who runs Trimporters Conversions since turning full-time in 2020, told the Daily Echo he wants his company to be 'as big as Nike'.

He said: "It’s been a journey, but I’ve not looked back.

“I’ve always said I wanted to be as big as Nike.

“I came up with that saying on day one, but it’s absolutely true.

“I want Trimporters to be recognised around the country as the go-to ‘build a dream.’

“It sounds silly, doesn’t it? But I really believe that."

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Some of the conversions he carries out from his home workshop cost up to £35,000.

Russell's work has seen him convert the likes of VW campervans to Mercedes Sprinter 170 vans, as his work ranges from ply linings to complete interior transformations. 

He added: “I’ve worked hard, and I want to take it to the next step now.

“To be able to show people you don't have to have a van that is conventional and the same as anybody else's, if you need a van to suit your hobby and lifestyle, we can make it right, and that's what we do.”

Russell said Trimporters came about 'by chance' when he was looking at a car up for sale by someone who converted vans and carried out training.

He said: “I've always been into Volkswagens, so I went there and did a couple of training courses on carpet lining and window fitting, that's where the adventure began.”

Since then, Trimporters Conversions has gone from strength to strength as Russell is booked up for months at a time.

Russell’s passion for the job and strong work ethic can be found in the lyrics to Oasis song – A Bell Will Ring – as the line "the world is as wide as your life is thin, so entertain your goals" serves as his motto.

Russell said: “That stuck with me, because it was like, yeah, entertain your goals.

“There's a massive world out there and you’re only on it for so long, so you might as well entertain your goals."

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