February 25, 2024 In a world driven by metrics, medals, and momentary headlines, one company is reshaping the very concept of recognition. TheAwardGuys.com, a boutique firm specializing in custom award design, is bringing heart and humanity back into the art of honouring excellence.
With their bold motto “Where Honour Meets Humanity,” the team behind TheAwardGuys.com is not just in the business of creating trophies they’re building lasting legacies.
Founded by creative partners Marcus Lyle and Damien Brooks in 2020, TheAwardGuys.com emerged from a simple but powerful belief: true recognition is personal, emotional, and timeless.
“We saw a gap in the industry,” says Lyle. “Most awards are generic. But real achievements especially the ones rooted in service, compassion, and community deserve more than a plaque on a wall. They deserve to be remembered with meaning.”
From firefighter tributes and humanitarian honors to corporate retirements and youth leadership awards, every piece is handcrafted, narratively driven, and uniquely designed to capture the essence of the individual being celebrated.
Operating out of a design studio in Atlanta, TheAwardGuys.com combines artisanal craftsmanship with digital storytelling. Many awards now include embedded QR codes that link to custom tribute videos, interviews, or photo galleries allowing recipients and their families to revisit the honour anytime, anywhere.
“It’s about creating an emotional connection,” says Brooks. “We’ve had clients cry just reading the first draft of the inscription. That’s when we know we’re doing it right.”
Each project begins with a consultation, during which designers collect stories, memories, and anecdotes. The goal is simple: turn a physical object into a living tribute to human spirit.
The company’s approach has caught the attention of schools, nonprofits, hospitals, and even Fortune 500 companies. While their client list is growing, their focus remains the same: make the honour personal, and make the humanity visible.
One recent collaboration with a national healthcare network saw TheAwardGuys create over 100 custom pieces recognizing frontline workers. Each award was inscribed with the worker’s name, a personalized message from a patient, and a hand-etched symbol representing their contribution during the pandemic.
At its core, TheAwardGuys.com is part of a larger cultural movement one that values purpose over prestige and impact over image.
“We’re witnessing a shift in what people want to celebrate,” says Lyle. “It’s not just about top performers anymore. It’s about the people who show up with heart, who make others feel seen, who lead with kindness. That’s the kind of excellence we’re here to honour.”
With plans to launch a “Humanity Honours” digital gallery later this year featuring stories and videos from past recipients TheAwardGuys.com is doubling down on its mission: not just to recognize greatness, but to make it unforgettable.
As the tagline on their homepage reads:
“When the moment matters most, honour it with heart.”
And that’s exactly what they’re doing one meaningful award at a time.
