Gerringong resident Matthew Panopoulos, 27, left a career in teaching to start his own jingle-writing business, and seven weeks later won an Australia-wide competition.

The "Share Good Tunes" Pizza Hut jingle-writing competition asked contestants to make a new jingle that was creative and interesting, but also referenced the 1992 Pizza Hut '481 11 11' ad.

With his win, Mr Panopoulos scored a cool $10,000 to help finance his fledgling business, Pantonal Productions Pty Ltd.

Mr Panopoulos said his love of music inspired him to make the leap of faith into a new career.

"As a high school music teacher [at Nowra Anglican College], I used to write music arrangements for ensembles," he said.

"I wanted to do more, so I did a 12-month audio production course on Saturdays. I've played guitar since I was nine years old, and I've always been in bands - it's a compulsion, I feel weird if I'm not doing it."

He said the hardest part of writing was making time when inspiration struck.

"Normally, I'll get a hit of inspiration, and I have to sit down and use it before it slips away," he said.

Mr Panopoulos says he hopes to make a livelihood from his new business venture, and promote other Kiama businesses.

He seems to have started on firm footing.​