Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Hodgman.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Keilara McCormick, spent a handful of hours customizing a pair of sneakers for her husband, Michael’s birthday about 4 years ago. She included childhood cartoons, important landmarks from his hometown and home state, their anniversary date, etc. The heartfelt gift sparked the idea that people would want to come to celebrate various life events; school dances, mission calls to foreign lands, quinceañeras, anniversaries, weddings, concerts, start of sports seasons, etc.
Hodgepodge recently hit their year mark and have helped others create custom sneakers for all of those reasons and more. We lucked into a great spot in Sugarhouse where we have our workshops. There have been many shifts and pivots over the last year. We’ve been able to increase efficiencies and add in techniques to make it more beginner friendly.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being first time business owners had most certainly had its roadblocks. From marketing, inventory, training, taxes, etc. there is a lot to learn. We have leaned on incredibly gracious customers, family and friends to build connections with others who have walked before us. We’ve made connections with other small, local businesses, especially those who work in the service industry. It is still a struggle to drum up enough knowledge and awareness of our brand. It is a constant process of knowing how much effort to place in to certain buckets of the business.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Our business has two main branches; 1-workshop, where patrons bring in a pair of shoes and we teach them how to customize their own sneaker. 2-comissioned orders, we work on a mock up and deliver a completed, themed shoe for a company, team, event, gift.
One of our specialties is ombre coloring. Think like a sunset that has a blend of multiple colors together. We have done this for corporations wanting teams of dozens to have matching swag at events or even one off class participants.
What sets us apart is having all the top quality products and variety that you won’t find at the local arts store. We have paints (115 colors) specifically made for leather that can stretch and bend with the natural movement of sneakers and cleats. We have 150 lace options and a special printer for logos and icons.
We are proud that we have been a tiny part of peoples lives; from anniversaries, weddings and birthdays to a community giveback with Utah Foster Care.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
This will show my meticulous love for sneakers. In about 3rd grade I received a pair of Air Jordans for my basketball season, my coach told me we could clean the bottoms of our sneakers by running them over the morning dew of grass outside the gym. I found this blasphemous! I opted for an old toothbrush and got within all the knocks crazies and groves of the sole of the sneaker. I always loved expressing myself through my kicks and wanted to put my best foot forward.
Pricing:
- $150-Masterclass. Access to everything in the shop, sewing machine, air brush station, charms, laces, etc.
- $75-Paint class. Hand painting, splatter. Access to all paints and glitters.
- $45-charms class. Swap out laces and add charms throughout the shoe lace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hodgepodgesneakers.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hodgepodgesneakers/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Hodgepodgesneakers-100093696890996/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HodgepodgeSneakers
