Hi, I’m Zach

A lot of people ask me how I got into pizza and how Pies by Zach got started.

Before pizza, I worked in corrections for nearly a decade — about eight years in total. I worked in various areas: youth corrections, surveillance, and eventually ended my career with four years in an adult super-max prison. I graduated as valedictorian and was awarded the Leadership Award for my class. I was passionate about my job and took a lot of pride in what I did.

But the truth is, that environment takes a toll. The stress, the pressure, and a series of difficult events led to a serious decline in my mental health. Eventually, I was diagnosed with PTSD. Instead of fully leaning into the help I needed, I made the decision to sell everything and move back home — thinking I could outrun the pain. The next five years were the hardest of my life. I struggled to find myself again. I tried to fill the emptiness with drugs, alcohol, hollow relationships — anything to distract me from the real work I needed to do. I was angry at the world, and most days, I didn’t want to keep going. But eventually, I hit a breaking point. I’d had enough. I started cutting out the self-destructive behaviors, distanced myself from unhealthy relationships, and began rediscovering things that brought me joy and purpose. One of those things was pizza.

Pizza isn’t totally new for me — some of my first jobs were in pizza shops — but this time it felt different. It felt healing. And I’ve got to shout out the Peterborough Pizza Guy, Brandon — his pies were so good, they reignited something in me. I had to try and recreate something that tasted that good. What started as a hobby became an obsession — and eventually a business. My dad and I built a cart together, and I started doing pop-ups. Then it was sold-out vendor markets, weddings, and eventually winning a grant from @cf_peterborough . I was even recognized by members of Parliament.

I’m beyond grateful — for the support I’ve had, the team of incredible friends and fellow business owners around me, and most of all, the most amazing partner I could ask for. To anyone struggling: you are not alone. Things can change. Things do get better. You just have to keep showing up. If you’ve made it this far, thank you. It means the world that you’d take the time to read this. Now come get some pizza from me in Millbrook!