Lachie Stiffle’s (LLB/LP ’25) path to studying law at Flinders University was anything but conventional. After attending several open days at Aberfoyle Park High School, he was drawn to Flinders’ welcoming campus and had his heart set on studying law. When his ATAR came in lower than expected, Lachie enrolled in Criminology, later transferring into the Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice, putting him firmly back on the path he’d always envisioned.

By his third year, Lachie had fully embraced the social side of university, forming strong friendships and making the most of campus life. “Finally having an active social life at university was definitely a highlight,” he reflects.

A football (soccer) fan with a growing collection of boots, Lachie realised he had more pairs than he could justify.

“I found it hard to justify owning seven or eight pairs for myself,” he laughs. Without much planning, he created an Instagram page, @thebootchef, to list and sell a few, just hoping to break even. While reselling football boots wasn’t a new idea, the decision to throw himself into it ended up changing everything.

Armed with transferable skills from his Law degree, from negotiation and critical thinking to understanding business contracts – Lachie feels equipped to tackle whatever challenges come his way. He balances his entrepreneurial ambition with a grounded focus on what’s needed to keep growing The Boot Chef.

In the 2025 financial year, The Boot Chef saw enormous growth, attracting more than 186,000 website visitors and fulfilling 1,238 orders. With a dedicated Instagram following of over 21,000, the brand has carved out a strong reputation in the global football boot community. Leading the charge in sales was the Mizuno Morelia Neo IV Beta Elite FG – a fan favourite with 140 pairs sold, making it the standout bestseller of the year.

Lachie and his team are in the midst of implementing a ‘Resale to Retail’ strategy. The goal? Shift from purchasing through private sellers and retailers to buying directly from top-tier brands. The Boot Chef is already trading with Mizuno, Umbro, Lotto and Joma – and excitingly, talks with even bigger names are underway.

“The dream is to open a retail store in Adelaide, hopefully within five years, if not sooner, and to land B2B trading accounts with Nike and Adidas,” says Lachie. “That’s the goal – no pun intended,” he grins.

Now with his degree complete and more time on his hands, Lachie’s keen to return to playing soccer, all while continuing to grow The Boot Chef and chase his dream of working with the sport’s biggest players and brands.

Find your Fearless | Study Law

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