Stagworx Leather

In Founder Focus we introduce entrepreneurs and change-makers working on innovative startups, social enterprises and SME’s around Aotearoa New Zealand.

At a glance

Founder: Sarah Peters

Business: Stagworx Leather

Founded: 2022

HQ: Whanganui

Can you tell us a bit about your business?

From a deer farm in rural NZ, Stagworx Leather are shaking up the NFC digital business card space. We’ve taken a NFC chip, and encased it in custom engraved vegetable-tanned leather, held together with strong natural linen thread, to create the most sustainable business card on the market.

Our Leather NFC “cards” are designed to last a lifetime. A well cared for piece of leather can last that long. And the NFC chip inside? Due to the handcrafted nature of our cards, if the NFC stops working, we simply unstitch the thread and replace the internal chip. It is a fully repairable NFC business card that as far as I am aware, does not exist anywhere else internationally.

The NFC chips can be embedded in any of our leather goods – from the standard business card, to keyrings, wallets, even our notebook covers. With a simple tap of a potential client or colleague’s phone, your chosen URL can be shared directly to their phone. My personal favourite is to share my LinkTree, from there they can download my digital contact card, or visit my website or social media.

With our rural roots, our passion lies with all things natural. We get a real buzz knowing we’re taking a by-product of the meat industry, leather, and creating something incredibly durable, eye-catching, and useful.

What’s the backstory for your business idea?

I gained my inspiration from a client who was in search of a QR Code Business card. But being the owner of a boutique business in the wine industry, she was looking for materials with an upmarket look and feel, stepping away from the usual plastic cards. QR codes and leather were not a match (although our wooden version are QR friendly) – but after some research and experimentation, I came up with a better digital option. From there, our NFC Digital Business Card range was born! I quickly moved to a keyring and wallet option. This came about from a personal need of my own. I was often “caught short” when I was out socialising and someone would ask if I had a business card on me. Which I never did! But now I always have at least my keys or wallet, with the NFC chip with my contact details embedded inside.

What programmes, learning or mentoring, or resources have been of assistance so far?

My favourite book that really kickstarted my personal and business life was “Feel the Fear and do it Anyway” by Susan Jeffers. From this, I was inspired to really focus on relationships around me. Focus on the people who inspire me, encourage me to grow, push my limits, and expand my thinking. And don’t be shy in telling those people how much they do inspire me! One key point from that book was to drown myself in positivity by listening to inspiring people every spare moment of the day. So during every mundane task, chore, driving the car etc, I have one earbud in listening to YouTube. This creates a constant learning environment, listening to the likes of Brian Tracy, Alex & Leila Hormozi, Codie Sanchez, and the old heads of Jim Rohn and Earl Nightingale are always useful.
As far as resources go, I have purchased more Brian Tracy courses than I can count and every one has impacted my work life!