Meet Zachary Italian a Passionate Advocate for Accessible Technology and Community Empowerment

The Italians arrived at Ellis Island, Jersey City, NJ in 1908. From here, The Italians migrated to St. Louis Missouri where they resided on “The Hill.”

Pictured to the left is Christopher Italian. Mr. Italian served in the Air Force for 27 years as a Staff Sergeant. He was a veteran of both World War II, where he served in the Pacific Theater, and the Korean conflict. Christopher is one of the Original Mr. Italians… Zachary’s Grandfather.

August 14, 1992, Mr. Italian was born in New Jersey to parents Jennifer and Joel Italian. As the eldest of three siblings, Zachary’s arrival marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Italian family. He would soon be joined by his younger sister, Skyler, and brother, Jaden.

Starting in his junior year of high school, Mr. Italian jumped into the South Jersey, and Philadelphia hospitality industry, working his way up from busser to server, bartender, and manager. Simultaneously, he took on digital marketing roles, managing campaigns and client relations. This dual expertise led him into foundational positions for start-up brands like Kiki Vodka, TabRabbit Point-of-Sale, and other forward-thinking food and beverage brands, and hospitality start-ups. He later transitioned to consulting, handling IT operations, and advising point of sale and restaurant technology companies. His work involved specializing in team culture building, operational procedure efficacy, and developing corporate literature.

Right after graduating high school, Mr. Italian dove into digital marketing, quickly making waves. He spearheaded client relations and campaign performance analysis for major brands like Yelp, Beiersdorf, and Suntory Holdings. Mr. Italian’s technical expertise included developing field marketing strategies, creating and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), and optimizing campaigns based on data-driven insights. His efforts successfully attracted new demographics and significantly boosted overall engagement for client brands.

In 2018, Mr. Italian returned to school at Rutgers University in Camden, NJ, where he completed an associate’s degree in Business Administration. He then transferred to Rowan University, where he studied Entrepreneurship, Business Leadership, and Marketing, earning his Bachelor’s degree in 2022. Some of his notable professors were Michael T. Dominik, Ph.D. and Daniel James Scott. During this time, Zach connected with new generations and embraced fresh ideas, which helped him grow both personally and professionally.

Mr. Italian considers himself a “perpetual student” and his studies also include certificate programs, one of notable honor being from NuPaths, where he studied under Jessica Hoffman, CISSP, Andy Petroski, and Stephanie Keller.

Zachary’s lifelong passion for technology began at an early age. Growing up curious and interested, he found an old computer in the trash before his family could afford one. The computer came with an instruction book, which Zachary read from front to back, teaching himself how to repair and use it. From a young age, he exchanged computer repair services and education for various things, honing his skills and building a reputation in his community. This early experience ignited his fascination with technology and laid the foundation for his future endeavors. In 2019, Zachary incorporated his business ventures under the name Village Helpdesk, with the motto “IT Takes a Village.” Leveraging his extensive knowledge and skills, he dedicated the company to providing IT support and solutions, showcasing his determination and innovative spirit.

In 2022, Mr. Italian began teaching for NuPaths, a client of Village Helpdesk. The contract between Village Helpdesk and NuPaths involved managing their IT support and server management for their web development program and portfolio websites. This relationship blossomed into Zach taking on the instructor role within NuPaths, teaching in Philadelphia high schools and mentoring apprentices from the Philadelphia School District, helping them earn certifications like CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, and more. Mr. Italian leveraged this opportunity to provide practical, hands-on learning experiences, helping students grasp complex concepts and develop essential skills. His dedication to education and mentorship fostered a supportive learning environment, inspiring the next generation of IT professionals.

In 2023, Zachary laid the foundation for You Deserve More Media, leveraging his resources and knowledge from Village Helpdesk, along with his earlier career in digital marketing. This new venture allowed him to combine his expertise in IT Operations, Infrastructure, Software Developement, and Digital Marketing, creating a robust platform for media services. Zachary’s innovative approach and dedication to excellence helped establish You Deserve More Media as a dynamic and forward-thinking company in the industry.

The experience also encouraged the idea of owning a news and ad network dedicated to the betterment of local communities, and the businesses and citizens that make them what they are. YDMM’s projects include EatWithPhilly.com, BecomeParagon.com, 295times, and various others. By 2025, You Deserve More Media has become a full-time project for Zachary.

On March 1st, Alicia and Zachary Italian celebrated their love in an intimate ceremony surrounded by family, loved ones, and the wonderful professionals of Union Trust.

Their wedding brought together all the monumental players in their lives—business colleagues who had become friends, friends who had become business colleagues, and all of their cherished family members. The day was filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments, marking the beginning of a lifetime.

In 2025, Mr. Italian continues to navigate the evolving landscape of managed IT services through Village Helpdesk, facing the ongoing pressures of scaling support while maintaining reliability. Meanwhile, You Deserve More Media, now led by a core team of four partners, is working through the complexities of growth in a saturated media environment—balancing client expectations, internal dynamics, and the ever-shifting demands of public engagement.