From Side Hustle to Full-Time Entrepreneur: Lessons from a Pizza Founder

Dr. Niklas Richter · 2026-05-05

### When Is It Time to Go All-In? You’ve been running your side hustle for a while now. Maybe it’s a weekend thing, or you squeeze it in after your 9-to-5. You love it, but you’re not sure if it can support you full-time. That’s exactly where Michiel Aerts found himself a few years ago. His story—turning a passion for pizza into a thriving business—shows you what it really takes to make the leap. Michiel started with a simple idea: make great pizza using a wood-fired oven. But he didn’t just buy an oven. He and his brother built one from scratch, converting a trailer into a mobile pizza oven. For years, he balanced this hobby with a regular job. Sound familiar? Many entrepreneurs start the same way, testing the waters before diving in. ### The Turning Point: From Hobby to Business So what changed? Michiel realized that his pizza concept wasn’t just a fun side project—it had real demand. People loved the experience of watching their pizza cook in a wood-fired oven at parties and events. He started getting more requests than he could handle on weekends alone. That’s when he knew it was time to go full-time. Today, Michiels Pizza is a growing company. They cater dozens of events each month, have a team of flexible workers, and even offer 24/7 pizza vending machines. They also supply restaurants. It’s a far cry from that one trailer.  ### Key Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Michiel’s journey offers some powerful insights for anyone thinking about quitting their day job: - **Start small, learn as you go.** Michiel didn’t have a business degree. He taught himself everything—from making dough to marketing. He started with a single trailer and grew organically. - **Use social media to build buzz.** He shared his story online, showing the process and the passion. That attracted customers and partners. - **Delegate to grow.** At first, he did everything himself. But as demand grew, he hired a team. Letting go of control was hard, but it was necessary. - **Be willing to make tough choices.** Going all-in meant giving up the security of a steady paycheck. But it also meant freedom to build something of his own.  ### The Emotional Side of Entrepreneurship Let’s be real: leaving a stable job is scary. You worry about money, about failing, about what others will think. Michiel felt all that too. But he also felt something stronger: the belief that his idea was worth the risk. He didn’t have a safety net—he just had a trailer, a recipe, and a lot of determination. One of the biggest lessons he shares is that you don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to start. Each event, each customer, each pizza taught him something new. Over time, those small wins added up. ### Practical Steps for Your Side Hustle If you’re thinking about making your side hustle your main gig, here’s what you can do: - **Test the market first.** Like Michiel, start with a small audience. See if people are willing to pay for what you offer. - **Build a buffer.** Save enough money to cover at least three to six months of living expenses. That gives you room to grow without panic. - **Focus on one thing.** Michiel didn’t try to do everything at once. He mastered pizza, then expanded. Avoid spreading yourself too thin. - **Create a brand story.** People connect with authenticity. Share your journey, your struggles, and your wins. That builds loyalty. > “The scariest moment is always just before you start. After that, it’s just one step at a time.” — Michiel Aerts ### Why This Matters for U.S. Entrepreneurs The United States is full of side hustlers. According to recent data, over 44 million Americans have a side business. But only a fraction make the leap to full-time. Why? Fear, mostly. But stories like Michiel’s show that it’s possible—even with limited resources. Whether you’re selling handmade furniture, offering consulting services, or flipping burgers from a food truck, the principles are the same. Start small, learn fast, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. ### Final Thoughts Michiel’s story isn’t just about pizza. It’s about courage, creativity, and the willingness to bet on yourself. If you’re sitting on a side hustle that you’re passionate about, maybe it’s time to ask yourself: what’s holding you back? The answer might surprise you. This podcast episode is brought to you by [Creatic](https://www.creatic.be) (nofollow), helping small and medium businesses build strong digital brands. But the real inspiration comes from Michiel, who proves that with enough heart and hustle, you can turn a hobby into a career.