Teen Chef Sparks Pizza Empire at 17

Jake Darley, a 17-year-old entrepreneur, has successfully launched his third business, a wood-fired pizza van called The Copper Kiln Pizza. This venture, established in December 2024, specializes in catering for various events, including weddings, parties, and corporate functions. Darley's entrepreneurial journey began at age 14 with a grass-cutting service, followed by a log supply business. He reinvested profits from these earlier ventures into his ambitious pizza business. The custom-built trailer, featuring an Italian oven, represents a significant investment of around £45,000. The Copper Kiln Pizza has already made a name for itself, catering to local clients such as Port Vale FC and Stoke City. Darley, who works alongside his family, expressed his satisfaction with the business's progress and his aspiration to expand further. He is already working on a second pizza van, which is expected to be outfitted over the winter. His mother, Karen, expressed immense pride in his dedication, highlighting his sacrifices and hard work in building the business from the ground up.