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

Dr. Niklas Richter · 2026-05-05

How do you know when it's time to let go of your side hustle and go all in? In this episode of Entrepreneur Talk, we hear the story of Michiel Aerts, founder of Michiels Pizza. What started as a hobby grew into a successful pizza concept with a mobile wood-fired oven, a unique experience at parties, and a strong focus on quality and local ingredients. Michiel shares how he taught himself everything, converted a trailer into a pizza oven with his brother, and combined his passion with a full-time job for years. ### The Leap from Side Hustle to Full-Time Today, Michiels Pizza is a growing business with dozens of events per month, a team of flexible workers, pizza vending machines offering pizza 24/7, and they also supply restaurants. In this episode, Michiel shares his most important lessons about entrepreneurship, the importance of social media, delegation, and daring to choose. It's an inspiring and honest story for any entrepreneur who is hesitant to take the step to full-time.  ### Key Lessons from Michiel's Journey - **Start small, think big:** Michiel began with a simple idea and a used trailer. He didn't wait for the perfect plan—he just started. - **Embrace social media:** He used platforms like Instagram and Facebook to showcase his unique pizza-making process and build a loyal following. His advice: post consistently and engage with your audience. - **Learn to delegate:** As the business grew, Michiel realized he couldn't do everything himself. He hired a small team and focused on what he did best. - **Take calculated risks:** Leaving a stable job is scary, but Michiel says the reward is worth it. He saved up enough to cover six months of expenses before making the leap. > "You never feel fully ready. But if you wait until you're ready, you'll never start." — Michiel Aerts ### The Power of a Unique Concept Michiel's pizza isn't just about food—it's about experience. His mobile wood-fired oven travels to festivals, corporate events, and private parties, creating a memorable atmosphere. This focus on experience over just product has set him apart in a crowded market. ### Practical Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs If you're thinking about going full-time with your side hustle, here are three steps Michiel recommends: 1. **Test your idea:** Run your concept as a side project for at least six months to gauge demand. 2. **Build a financial cushion:** Save enough to cover personal expenses for three to six months. 3. **Find a mentor:** Connect with someone who has already made the leap. Their advice can save you years of trial and error. ### The Role of Digital Presence This podcast is an initiative of Creatic, a digital agency that helps small and medium businesses strengthen their online presence through branding, marketing, and high-performing websites. From brand strategy and visual identity to a website that delivers results, they ensure your business grows visibly and recognizably online. Curious what they can do for your business? Discover more at www.creatic.be (nofollow). Whether you're just starting a side hustle or ready to go all in, Michiel's story proves that with passion, persistence, and a little help from technology, you can turn a hobby into a thriving business.