Meet Harry Chow

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Harry Chow. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Harry, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

I grew up as a first-generation Asian American. My parents immigrated to the United States in search of stability and opportunity, and like many immigrant families, we lived with a constant mix of gratitude and pressure. What weighed on me most wasn’t money—it was watching my parents face serious health challenges and the reality of them aging faster than I ever imagined. Knowing they might not be around forever made every choice feel heavier, like I was racing against time to make their sacrifices worth it.

In high school, I constantly felt behind. My GPA was average, my SAT score forgettable, and rejection letters from dream schools made me question whether I was smart enough or capable enough. It wasn’t until I stumbled into a student nonprofit that things changed. What started as a side project grew into one of the largest student-led organizations in North America, reaching a $25M valuation, 550M impressions, and a 70,000-person community across 15 countries. For the first time, I was building something that couldn’t be measured on a transcript. That experience showed me that success doesn’t come from perfection—it comes from passion, persistence, and refusing to stay down after you fail.

At Bentley, I carried those lessons forward. I became President of the Asian Students Association, served as Associate Director of Partnerships at NAAAP, and organized events that brought hundreds of people together. I also began sharing my journey online, posting about leadership, branding, and growth. Opportunities followed—not because of a flawless résumé, but because I was willing to put myself out there, tell my story, and connect with others.

Through it all, my family’s story stayed with me. Watching my parents fight through illness gave me urgency and perspective. Every achievement felt like proof that their sacrifices mattered. They taught me resilience, empathy, and the belief that impact isn’t measured in grades or accolades, but in the lives you touch.

If I could offer advice to anyone who feels the way I once did, it would be this: Don’t let numbers define you. Your story is your strength—share it. Build communities, not just résumés. And turn the pressure you feel into purpose. The challenges you carry can become the fuel that pushes you further.

I tell this story because I know what it feels like to believe you’ll never catch up. But I’ve also learned that those same struggles can make you stronger, more resilient, and more compassionate than you ever thought possible. You don’t need to be perfect to create something extraordinary.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Harry Chow, and at my core I love building things—whether it’s communities, brands, or ideas. I started out running a nonprofit in high school during COVID to help close education gaps, and since then I’ve carried that same drive into everything I do. At Bentley, I’ve led cultural organizations, hosted big events, and taken on marketing and partnerships roles with startups, nonprofits, and even the Boston Celtics’ esports team.

What I’m focused on now is using creativity and technology to make life simpler and more impactful. Lately, that’s looked like building AI tools, working with founders, and sharing content to help other students and young professionals figure out their own paths.

For me, it’s always been about growth—pushing myself, helping others, and finding ways to turn ideas into reality.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Curiosity pushed me to dive into areas I didn’t know—like starting a nonprofit in high school without any real playbook. I learned by doing, asking questions, and figuring it out along the way. For anyone starting out, lean into the things that make you curious. It’ll keep you learning long after the classroom

Resilience came from failure. Not every project or event I ran worked out, but each one taught me something I could carry forward. Early on, don’t be afraid to try things and fail fast. The key is not avoiding mistakes, but bouncing back sharper.

Storytelling has been the thread through it all. Whether pitching sponsors, leading teams, or creating content, being able to share an idea in a way that resonates has opened doors I couldn’t have imagined. My advice here: practice sharing your story, even when it feels small—because it compounds over time.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I believe in being well-rounded. It’s important to lean into your strengths and keep sharpening them, but it’s just as important to work on the areas where you fall short. Strengths are what give you an edge—but weaknesses, if left alone, can hold you back.

For me, I’ve always been strong in storytelling and building communities. That’s where I’ve found my biggest opportunities, from leading a nonprofit in high school to growing organizations and partnering with brands in college. But I’ve also had to recognize the gaps—things like operations, time management, and technical skills. Those weren’t natural to me, but I made the effort to get better, because I realized that even the best ideas fail without execution behind them.

Being well-rounded doesn’t mean trying to be perfect at everything. It means developing yourself enough that your weaknesses don’t limit your potential, while your strengths continue to drive you forward. In my view, growth comes from doing both: doubling down on what sets you apart, and chipping away at the areas that could otherwise hold you back.

Contact Info:

• Website: harrychow.framer.website
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harryc04/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-chow1/
• Twitter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-chow1/