Hi, I’m Lea 👋
I’m one of the newer additions to the Hercules Merchandise team, and I’ve now been here for
6 months.
In that time, we’ve launched the German market, worked on a wide range of custom sports
merchandise projects across different countries, and I’ve learned more about scarves, caps,
and personalised products than I ever expected.
What those first months felt like, what surprised me, and what I’ve learned about this
industry—that’s what this post is all about.
Why Hercules? (And what I expected)
When I started, I had a pretty typical idea in mind: a standard B2B job. A mix of sales and
organisation, structured and maybe a bit repetitive.
Spoiler: I was completely wrong 😄
Very quickly, I realised that working at Hercules Merchandise doesn’t feel corporate at all.
Things move fast, communication is direct, and you’re involved in real decisions from day
one.
Instead of just handling tasks, you take ownership. You also immediately see the impact of
your work across real customer projects.
Day one: “Okay… this is a lot.”
I still remember my first day clearly. My main thought afterwards was:
“Okay… I have a lot to learn.”
I came into custom sports merchandise without prior experience in the industry. At the
beginning, I didn’t realise how detailed the process could be, especially when it comes to
something as “simple” as a scarf.
Knitted, woven, printed, classic… and that’s just the beginning.
Very quickly, I realised it’s never just about “a scarf.” It’s about finding the right
solution for each customer, depending on their design, budget, and use case.
Luckily, several members of the team, including Cedric and Gilles, took the time to properly
onboard me. That made all the difference. Without that, I’d probably still think a scarf is
just… a scarf.
Team, culture & the way we work
One thing stood out immediately: Hercules may be a B2B company, but it’s definitely not
corporate-cold.
The way we work together is open, supportive, and efficient at the same time. You feel
trusted very quickly, and that makes it easy to take responsibility.
We work as a remote, international team and collaborate daily across different markets and
projects.
Across the team, multiple people are involved in each stage of a project, from first contact
to design and production. So you’re never working on things alone.
A real highlight for me was seeing everyone together at a trade show in Germany. It was great
to meet in person.
What surprised me the most about custom sports merchandise
At first, I assumed most of our projects would be with smaller sports clubs.
That turned out to be completely wrong.
We receive enquiries from a wide range of clients, from local teams to well-known brands and
larger organisations across different countries. The variety and scale of projects is much
bigger than I expected.
That’s when it really clicked for me. Custom sports merchandise isn’t just fan gear. It’s
tailored products for very different needs.
Behind the scenes, multiple projects run in parallel at different stages, from initial idea
and design to production and delivery. Every project is different, and that’s what makes the
work so interesting.
The biggest challenge: the first 3 months
I started right in peak season, leading up to Christmas.
Lots of enquiries, tight deadlines, and many new topics to learn at once.
It was definitely intense at times.
But looking back, it was also the best possible start. It forced me to:
- prioritise quickly
- adapt to a fast workflow
- find solutions on the go
It was challenging, but exactly what I needed to grow into the role.
From beginner to managing the German market
When I look back now, the development feels fast.
At the beginning, I focused on understanding the full process. A few months later, I was
responsible for the German market and managing my own projects, while working closely with
different team members across sales, design, and production.
That’s one of the things that makes Hercules special. If you’re motivated and ready to take
ownership, you get the opportunity to do so.
And yes, I’m honestly quite proud of that.
What I enjoy most today
What I enjoy most is seeing how a project evolves.
It usually starts with a simple idea or request. From there, we develop the design, refine
the details, and guide the customer through the process.
From design, each project moves into production with our trusted manufacturing partners. This
ensures consistent quality and reliable delivery timelines.
And in the end, there’s a physical product, whether it’s a scarf, a cap, or another piece of
custom sports merchandise.
When customers send photos or feedback, that’s when it really hits you what you’ve helped
create.
When the job follows you into everyday life… 😄
One thing I didn’t expect: I now notice merchandise everywhere.
At events, in cities, even on holiday, I suddenly pay attention to details I would’ve
completely ignored before.
And yes… I’ve actually dreamed about scarves more than once.
I guess that’s a good sign 😄
Why I’m excited for what’s next
The first 6 months have been fast, challenging, and incredibly educational.
And it really feels like this is just the beginning.
More projects, more responsibility, and continued growth in the German market. I’m excited to
keep building this together, with a team that’s not only professional, but also genuinely fun
to work with.
Curious how custom sports merchandise works?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the past 6 months, it’s that there’s much more behind
custom merchandise than most people expect.
If you’re exploring ideas for your club, brand, or event, it’s a good starting point to see
what’s possible and how different products and options compare.
👉You can explore examples and see what we create for our customers here
Article written by Lea
Part of the Hercules Merchandise team, working on the UK and German market and specialising in custom sports merchandise for clubs, brands, and organisations across Europe.