Luke Hodson
Founder - Awesome Merchandise
"starting a business ate up a lot of my time and energy with the result being I felt sluggish, stressed and pretty out of shape. Big mistake!"
Career highlights
Telling my Mum that I was leaving university to concentrate on making badges is maybe my favourite ‘career moment’ so far. She was slightly worried! Since then my company has made over 25,000 orders for thousands of customers including Florence & The Machine, Alexander McQueen, Lyle & Scott & Trekstock. Going out to things like SXSW in Austin for work is definitely a highlight and getting my club night’s poster featured in the background of a few Coronation Street episodes recently that was also pretty cool.
Likes
Punk Rock, West Bromwich Albion, Travelling, Curry, Challenges
What inspires you?
Creating something from nothing excites me. I didn’t start out with a grand plan to make a ‘real’ business but as time passed I became focused on growing my hobby into a business and now the business into a brand.
It is inspiring working as part of a team where people are pulling in the same direction to make something as awesome as possible whilst always trying to delight our customers. Most of all I like the freedom.
What elements of healthy living do you practice?
I have always enjoyed physical activity. I swam, played water polo and football as I grew up.
a lot of my time and energy with the result being I felt sluggish, stressed and pretty out of shape. Big mistake!I am glad to say I have now addressed my recent lack of looking after myself and realised that whilst I have been busy healthy living needs to be one of my top priorities as it positively impacts every area of life including my work! I like a challenge as it helps to motivate me, so I have drawn up a list of challenges to complete over the next couple of years; a half and full marathon, a triathlon and cycling from Jon O’Groats to Lands End are all on the list…I am currently running a lot and feeling great.
