A Different Kind of Fundraising Company

In our last blog, we explained how Ashley Farms Inc. was founded. The founding years are what we like to attribute to three things: Fate, Risk, and Cheesecake. There’s a little more to the story though... To really understand who Ashley Farms, Inc is, you need to understand how we go about business. Jim Messina and Mike Gambuzza (our founders) describe what makes our company’s way of doing business different from our competitors:

Jim Messina (Left) and Mike Gambuzza (Right)

“We pride ourselves on the ability to motivate the students and members of the groups we help. We do this through a well planned professional presentation as well as proven incentives and of course we have all of the members taste our delicious cheesecakes and more. This sets us apart from our competitors and keeps our customers very loyal. Every day, as we enter a school, we hear someone say as they see us, "this is my favorite day of the year," that is just music to my ears and makes me feel good about what we do to help non-profits achieve their goals. It's not just "all business" it's more about joining with these groups and forming a team to meet the challenges of today’s market place. Our latest incentive program is called the Goal Card, and all students who earn it, receive special privileges from the teacher throughout the school year. Little things like this, keep the students and teachers involved with the concept of making the students work to achieve goals.”

–Jim Messina (President)

“Ashley Farms is well respected in the fundraising industry. We basically started the frozen food market within the fundraising industry. We are known for quality products and excellent customer service. Personally, we pride ourselves on character and integrity and our handshakes are as good as any contract ever signed. We have helped raise over one hundred million dollars in our thirty years in business for customers trying to improve the quality of their fundraising groups. That's what we do best.”

–Mike Gumbuzza (Vice President)

Ashley Farms, Inc. has been an innovator since its inception. We will always strive to stay ahead and help our customers with the latest most effective products and techniques available. We pride ourselves on being a dedicated partner to the non-profit organizations that come to us for fundraising help, and we genuinely care about the success of those organizations’ fundraisers.

Fate, Risk, and Cheesecake

Every successful company begins with one thing: A solid foundation. Taking a look at a company’s founding leaders and values can tell you a lot about a company as a whole. Gain a better understanding of how Ashley Farms has gotten to where it is today by learning about its two founders: Jim Messina and Mike Gambuzza. It is a tale of crossing paths at the right time, taking risks, and a love for the fundraising industry.

Gaining the Necessary Experience

Jim Messina

Jim was a graduate of Fairleigh Dickensen Univeristy. His primary interests at that time were music and the marching arts. After graduating he moved to California and was employed by the Anaheim Kingsmen Drum and Bugle Corps as a choreographer and instructor of visual arts. Becoming homesick, Jim moved back to NJ and became the chorographer for many of the top competitive marching bands, drum, and bugle corps in the North East. After marrying his college sweetheart, Barbara, Jim became a sales rep for a local band uniform company Collins Uniforms. While employed there, Jim learned about the fundraising industry. He decided to switch jobs to the nation’s leading firm, Henco, out of Selmer TN. Jim rose to regional sales manager and spent four successful years there. Jim decided to switch jobs and work for a new fundraising company in New Jersey, Planned Achievement Corp. Despite his responsibility for all aspects of the company's development, he sought a change and longed to start his own company.

Mike Gambuzza

Mike played two seasons of Division III football at NJ City University before transferring to Montclair State University, where he graduated with a degree in Physical Education and Health. After graduating, Mike returned to his alma mater, Memorial High School in West New York NJ, to teach PE/Health and coach football. Mike taught and coached for 8 years. He had the privilege of helping many young students become wonderful young men and women. During his eighth year, Mike helped lead the football team to a county championship for the first time in 20 years. He decided this was the perfect way to go out.

After leaving teaching, Mike landed a sales position at a fundraising company called Planned Achievement Corp. Mike’s girlfriend at the time, Kelly, had an inside connection. Her brother in law was the one who was trying to get the company off the ground. He quickly became Mike’s mentor and taught him everything he knew about the product fundraising industry. This mentor was Jim Messina!

The beginning of Ashley Farms Inc.

Two years after meeting, Jim and Mike decided to leave Planned Achievement Corp and start their own company together: Ashley Farms!

After selling the “usual” type of fundraising merchandise, Jim & Mike decided to break into the frozen food market. The industry did not think the idea of selling frozen food to non-profits would be a successful one, but Ashley Farms proved them wrong! Frozen food is now the largest segment of food products in the industry, and Ashley Farms is extremely proud to be the ones who started it all. In 2014, Ashley Farms will celebrate 30 years in business- all thanks to a little bit of fate, risk, and cheesecake.

Ashley Farms: Joining the Social Media Revolution

Ashley Farms, Inc. has always been the answer to your fundraising needs. We help schools and non-profit organizations achieve their fundraising goals with our quality products and customer service from start to finish.

To help ensure that our customers receive high quality and professional customer service that truly lasts from the start of their fundraising event until the end, Ashley Farms has joined the Social Media Revolution! We will now be communicating and providing updates on the following social media platforms:

· Facebook
· Twitter
· Blogger
· Pinterest
· Google+

Our fans, followers, and friends will be able to receive FREE advice, updates, and education on topics such as:

· Encouraging participation in your next fundraising event

· Staying organized during your next fundraising event

· Employee updates

· “Kick Off” events updates

· Product updates

· What our customers are saying

And much, much more!

If you would like valuable, timely, and FREE information- like, follow, and subscribe etc. to our social media platforms listed above! Simply click the links to begin!

Ashley Farms- The answer to your fundraising needs. If your non-profit organization needs money, we have the solutions!