Gregory P. Muzzillo founded Proforma in 1978 with a college friend. Within one year, the business they started with $200 saw its sales grow to $250,000 and their clients expand to over 300. By 1982, sales reached $1 million and Proforma was named in successive years to Inc. Magazine's 500 Fastest Growing Companies - the only company in the business forms industry to make the list twice.
To continue Proforma's rapid growth, Muzzillo looked to alternate routes. In 1986, he developed the Proforma franchise model - a network of independent distributors working together to build marketing clout and strong supplier relationships. This model proved successful, as Proforma, now in its fourth decade, has grown to a $312 million dollar organization.
Proforma Milestones:
1978
Proforma founded
1980
Sales exceed $1 million dollars
1986
National expansion begins via franchising
1988
Owner Advisory Council formed
First annual Convention and Family Reunion
1991
Proforma expands into Canada
1994
Products and services now include promotional products
1995
Proforma introduces ProSource "online" catalog
1996
Proforma moves into the state-of-the-art World Support Center in Cleveland, Ohio
Fred DeLuca, Founder & CEO of Subway, invests in Proforma
1999
Launch of proforma.com and franchise portal sites
Products and services now include eCommerce
Proforma grows to over 400 offices
2000
Proforma grows to over 500 offices
2001
Vera Muzzillo joins Proforma as Co-CEO
2002
Proforma network sales exceed $200 million dollars
2003
Proforma celebrates its 25th anniversary
Introduction of the proprietary WIN Success System
eCommerce Department breaks $3 million in sales
Launch of the award-winning More & Better Appointments: The Six Senses self-promotion campaign
2004
Proforma grows to over 650 offices
Launch of Exclusive Products programs in conjunction with key manufacturers
Products and services now include multimedia
2005
North American Major Accounts [NAMA] program developed to better identify and service larger national accounts
2006
Proforma serves 260 NAMA accounts
PROecom created through strategic alliance with four51
eCommerce Department breaks $5 million in sales
2007
Proforma enters a partnership with RR Donnelley for forms, labels, stickers, etc.
Project Frontier evaluates and enhances technology to become state-of-the-art
eCommerce Department breaks $10 million in sales
Launch of first Eco-Friendly Catalog featuring "green" print and promotional items; the catalog design – which called for printing on recycled paper with soy-based inks and bound with recycled staples – wins an American Inhouse Design Award
2008
Virtual Assistant program helps franchises by taking over many back-office duties
Proforma serves 400 NAMA accounts
eCommerce Department breaks $16 million in sales
Based on customer and network feedback, Proforma launches its Rebranding Initiative
Proforma creates two additional More & Better Appointment self-promotion campaigns: PROecom and It’s Only Natural, the latter of which goes on to win an American Inhouse Design Award
Proforma network sales exceed $300 million dollars
2009
Vera Muzzillo named CEO, Greg Muzzillo remains as Founder
2010
Greg and Vera Muzzillo Named "People of the Year" by Counselor magazine
2011
The ProVantage Business Development Tools are launched. The program offers a variety of sales tools based on Proforma Owners level of sales and their specific needs for growing their businesses.
2012
Proforma recognized as Top 10 "Best Place to Work" by Counselor Magazine
2013
Proforma becomes a certified woman-owned business by the National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC)
Today, Greg and Vera Muzzillo lead the charge in creating the state-of-the art marketing, technology and business development initiatives that have kept Proforma a step ahead of their competitors.
By providing new technologies to their member network and business support groups, Proforma has managed to create the right amount of business savvy to maintain a profitable distributorship.
