Teen's taste of success with pizza van business

Jake Darley is only 17 but he's already enjoying the taste of success after launching his third business - a wood fired pizza van.

The Copper Kiln Pizza caters at events like weddings, parties, and even football clubs.

Jake's entrepreneurial ventures began aged 14, when he started a grass-cutting business in Werrington, Staffordshire, with his dad.

"[We had] a bicycle and a trailer which me and my dad made - with all the equipment, strimmer, leaf blower and mower on there," he said.

"Every day after school I'd come home, put my work clothes on, went straight out until it was dark," he added.

He invested the money he made from this venture into another business - Jake's Logs - which supplies hardwood kiln-dried logs.

It was then he set his sights on his own pizza van.

"I always liked the idea of having my own pizza business and making something special and different from other food vendors," he said.

"With the money I saved up from Jake's Logs and my grass cutting, I put everything into, and all my time into, the Copper Kiln."

He launched the Copper Kiln Pizza in December 2024 when he was 16.

"I always liked the idea of making the most, and I don't like sitting still," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I bought the empty shell [trailer] and then I've kitted it all out myself, custom made with an Italian oven and wood and oak drawers.

"I put all my time and money into it," he said, estimating it has set him back about £45,000.

The move paid off - the teen works with his family and travels to weddings, parties and corporate events.

He has worked with local names including Port Vale FC, Stoke City, and World of Wedgwood.

"I'm really happy with how it's going. I hope to expand it lots more," he said.

"I have already got the second one which is hopefully going to be getting kitted out over winter."

Jake's mum, Karen, said she could not be prouder.

"There's a lot of passion behind what he's doing - it's a big commitment for him and he's sacrificed so much to get where he's got.

"He's given up his nights out and gets up in the early morning, working until late at night.

"He's starting from nothing at all, it's paying off...he totally deserves it all."

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