From Hobby to Full-Time with Vintage Rugby Jerseys (Duncan Wood)

Duncan Wood transformed his passion for rugby into Boomfa Vintage, a business selling vintage rugby jerseys and new apparel. Starting as an Instagram page showcasing his collection, he began spotting undervalued jerseys on Trade Me and selling them through social media. Three years later, the business has evolved to include both vintage and new merchandise.

The vintage jerseys come through an unexpected supply chain - secondhand clothing from Western nations gets sold by weight to countries like Thailand, where suppliers specifically source rugby jerseys for Duncan. While vintage items represent about 60% of sales historically, new apparel is trending upward to around 70% recently.

Duncan is preparing to take Boomfa Vintage full-time after travelling for several months, moving from Christchurch to Auckland with his fiancée. He's seen steady growth through authentic content creation and community building, recently expanding into email marketing and professional video production.

Prices range significantly - while most vintage jerseys sell for around £210, rare items like a 1996 Crusaders player-issue jersey recently sold for £2,500. Duncan sees considerable scope for growth, from charity auctions of match-worn jerseys to international expansion, building on his existing following and industry relationships.

This transition from corporate sales to full-time entrepreneur represents a calculated risk backed by three years of data and momentum in the business.