Somehow, the gooey cheese, the chewy bread and the tasty array of pepperonis on a piece of pizza all taste better when you know that the pizza is coming from a female-empowered company that gives back to its community. GoombaS’ pizza does just that. The food tastes great (don’t get me started on their Pokee Stix, seriously please don’t or I won’t stop talking about it), and they donate monthly to shelters in their community that need it.
East Lansing GoombaS’ owner, Gail Sutton, got involved with GoombaS in 1993, then called Gumby’s Pizza, as a pizza maker. She worked her way up to a manager position, then as an area representative of the entire Midwest. She didn’t stop there; Sutton soon became an owner of multiple stores with partners, then became a sole owner of a GoombaS location. Sutton says her favorite aspect of her job is being her own boss.
“I went into the pizza business because I kind of never wanted to grow up,” Sutton said. “I can wear my jeans and my tennis shoes to work everyday. Being on campus, I work with young people, not only in the store, but with customers, too. It keeps me young.”
Even better than the tasty comfort food, GoombaS gives back to Eve’s House, an organization that provides shelter and supportive services to victims of domestic and sexual violence. They also educate their community on domestic and sexual violence through public awareness. Sutton says she has been giving monthly donations to Eve’s House for nearly twenty years. Sutton says they have recently started making donations to Hannah’s House, a shelter for expecting mothers that provides food and emotional and physical support through pregnancy as well as for nine months after the child is born. GoombaS’ support exemplifies what it means to be a community leader, especially among pizza joints.
There are a decent amount of pizza places in East Lansing, but few, if any, have the food selection with such generous, giving owners and employers that GoombaS has. Plus, who else has deals like GoombaS?
The owner, Gail Sutton, has some advice for young women in college working to embark on their future careers.
“If it’s what you want to do, just stick with it,” Sutton said.“That’s the best thing you can do. Just keep moving forward. There are going to be disappointments, there are going to be failures, but those failures will help you learn to get to the next step. I would just say; don’t give up. If it’s your dream, follow it.”