60-seconds with: Awesome Merchandise

Awesome Merchandise started back in 2005 in founder Luke Hodson’s bedroom. “We were 19 and hoped to earn some pocket money by making pin badges. Armed with £300 and one of those Lexmark printers you get free with a PC, we set out on our quest for awesomeness.”

Where is Awesome Merchandise based?

Leeds City centre. We have just moved to a new 1,022sqm custom-fitted unit

How many staff do you have?

27 and counting...

What does your firm produce? 

A wide range of promo and print items

What’s your typical customer?

Anyone from a corporate through to a kid in their bedroom. We work a lot in the music industry, but we love working on pretty much any job

Which areas do you serve?

Mainly national but again we’ll make stuff for anyone and send it anywhere

Who are your clients?

We have a lot as we deal direct to consumers as well as B2B. My favorite but most difficult client is my mum

What’s your USP?

We are super friendly and helpful and have fun doing what we do. We also have a French Bulldog called Dolly hanging out in the office everyday (see @awesomemerch on Instagram)

What’s your company’s motto?

Keep it awesome

What equipment do you run?

Digital, screen printing and embroidery kit, and a mix of weird and wonderful pre-press and finishing kit. My favourite is our t-shirt folder

Where do you see your business in five years’ time?

We have grown more than 700% in the last five years and are a fast-moving company so five years seems like a long time. We have some really big and exciting plans for the next 24 months so we’ll see how we go

What’s your team’s favourite biscuit?

Jammie Dodgers


www.awesomemerchandise.com