From Side Hustle to Full-Time Entrepreneur: A Pizza Story

Dr. Niklas Richter · 2026-05-05

Have you ever wondered when it's time to leave your side hustle behind and go all-in? It's a question that keeps many aspiring entrepreneurs up at night. In this episode of Entrepreneur Talk, we hear the inspiring story of Michiel Aerts, founder of Michiels Pizza. What started as a simple hobby turned into a thriving pizza concept built around a mobile wood-fired oven, a unique event experience, and a relentless focus on quality and local ingredients. Michiel taught himself everything from scratch. Together with his brother, he converted a trailer into a custom pizza oven. For years, he balanced this passion project with a full-time job, working nights and weekends to perfect his craft. It wasn't easy, but his dedication paid off. ### The Pivot to Full-Time Today, Michiels Pizza is a growing business that runs dozens of events each month. They have a flexible team, pizza vending machines that serve pies 24/7, and they even supply other restaurants. The leap from side gig to full-time venture wasn't a single moment but a gradual process of building confidence and demand. Michiel shares how he knew the time was right: when the side hustle started generating consistent revenue and overwhelming customer requests, he could no longer ignore the opportunity.  ### Key Lessons for Entrepreneurs Michiel learned several critical lessons along the way. Here are some of the most important ones he shares: - **Embrace social media:** It was essential for building a brand and attracting customers without a big marketing budget. - **Learn to delegate:** You can't do everything yourself. Michiel built a team of reliable people to handle events and operations. - **Be willing to choose:** Taking the leap means saying no to the safety of a steady paycheck and yes to uncertainty and growth. ### The Power of Authenticity One of the most refreshing parts of Michiel's journey is his honesty. He admits that the transition was scary. There were days he doubted himself. But he also found that being authentic with his audience—sharing both the wins and the struggles—created a loyal community around his brand. Customers didn't just buy pizza; they bought into a story of passion and perseverance. ### Practical Steps You Can Take If you're thinking about making a similar move, consider these practical steps: 1. **Test the market** before leaving your job. Build a customer base first. 2. **Save a financial cushion** to cover at least six months of personal expenses. 3. **Start small** and scale gradually. A mobile oven is cheaper than a brick-and-mortar location. 4. **Use feedback** to refine your product. Michiel listened to what customers loved and doubled down on it. ### Final Thoughts Michiel's story is a powerful reminder that the best businesses often start as side projects. The key is recognizing when your passion has outgrown its part-time container. If you're feeling that pull, maybe it's time to listen. For more insights on building a business from the ground up, explore our other episodes of Entrepreneur Talk.