Mattress Mack, originally James Franklin McIngvale, is a businessman in America. As the owner and as someone responsible for the operations of the Gallery furniture retail chain based in Houston, Mattress Mack net worth is a whopping $300 million. This surpasses the net worth of many Hollywood celebrities.
Apart from his flourishing gallery furniture business, his interest in the Houston Astros and betting on the team makes him a lot of money. Hence, two major sources of income directly contribute to Mattress Mack net worth.
Table of Contents
Early Life
Mack grew up in Dallas in his early childhood. While growing up, he looked up to Artie Grindle. He was the owner of Tropic Traveller Vans. This has served as the main inspiration behind Mack’s hugely popular and catchy television commercials.
In his humorous advertisements, Artie Grindle would jump on top of his used cars and repeatedly say, “I want to sell you a car.” This made Grindle famous but also caught Mack’s attention as a little kid.
Just as Mack says vans and used cars were Grindle’s “Shtick,” he made mattresses his “Shtick.” Inspired by the many ads of Tropic Traveller Vans, Mack decided to invest a whopping $10,000 in television commercials for his brand. While filming the 25-second-long famous television commercial, Mack instantly came up with the slogan, “Gallery furniture will save you money.”
And this is how this slogan has stuck to the brand over the years. Today, his might is so widespread that anyone and everyone who lives in Houston knows who Mattress Mack is.
Mack strongly believes that your fate is very much in your own hands and you can control it completely. When he moved to Texas with his wife and family, nobody cared about his background or educational qualification.
Only his diligence and passion came to his rescue and helped him build the mighty business empire. Thus, Mattress Mack is truly an inspirational figure for most people.
So, the next time you are in Houston and decide to shop for furniture, rest assured that Gallery Furniture is the right place for you!
Career
Mattress Mack Starting his own business
Born in February 1951 in Starkville, Mississippi, James (more commonly known as Jim) began his furniture business in 1981. He used up his entire life savings of $5000 to start this business. The furniture maestro has painstakingly grown his business from a 1-store to a multi-store chain. It is a profitable and flourishing business today.
In 1983, looking for ways to promote and market his stores, he invested $10,000 in commercial spots on local channels. His ads could not come on television so he used this tactic instead. While filming these commercials, frustration of growing slow made him angry. So, he turned to steal deal offers to gain limelight.
Soon afterward, he became famous for the punchline he used during promotions of these steal deals, i.e., Gallery Furniture Saves You Money!
To date, the furniture businessman is known for this line as it has now come to be exclusively associated with him. While the company started by selling pocket-friendly and cost-effective furniture that was affordable to all, it soon expanded towards luxurious and expensive furniture as the business grew.
With the rapid growth of the business, it is no surprise that Jim has managed to grow Mattress Mack net worth to $300 million.
Days of Struggle
While most people get to witness the million-dollar worth furniture business that Mattress Mack has managed to build over the years, the man has seen quite some struggle in his initial days. Starting with just $5000, he was mostly seen dressed as a mattress in television commercials.
These commercials were the first milestone in his business. They popularized him among the locals of Houston. These commercials became so famous that today it is said: If you live in Houston, you have to Mattress Mack!
Selling household furnishings within an affordable range, this store became the one-stop shop for beds, living room furniture, and dining tables. If news reports and sources are to be believed, as of today, Mattress Mack net worth 2023 stands at $2 million monthly.
Most loyal customers of Gallery Furniture know him as the man who saves you money.
About Gallery Furniture
Jim houses some of the finest furniture at his store that can clearly be described as a work of art. Some wooden furniture pieces are almost as old as him and are made of expensive wood, such as wood derived from the bubinga tree.
With a seed capital of just $5000, business was initially slow. However, with a unique inventory, very little could stop Jim McIngvale from succeeding. He is also quite close to former American President Mr Bush. Jim is known to have sponsored several campaigns for Bush back in the day.
Popularly known as Mack, he described furniture as his one true love apart from his wife, Linda. His sheer hard work combined with an affinity for furniture has turned his business into a massive operation today.
Mattress Mack, the person within
While most people know about his successful business empire and his marketing skills, very few know about his personal life. While little is known about his family life, it is well-known that Mattress Mack is not just a selfish capitalist businessman.
He is known for his philanthropic activities that he has been doing all over Houston in dire circumstances. If sources close to Mattress Mack are to be believed, he justifies the statement, “Living is Giving.” He has always been generous with the people around him.
According to Jim, furniture buying should be a fun experience. It should be considered an artistic activity to freshen up your living space. This is what he keeps at the heart of his business. He also shares a thick friendly equation with American martial artist Chuck Norris.
However, McIngvale believed the movie business was far too complicated for him. Hence, he eventually decided to stick to his furniture business in the long run.
Mattress Mack Personal Life
The 72-year-old businessman has a wife named Linda McIngvale. Together, the couple has four children. All of their children are grown up. The duo is also blessed with six grandkids besides the precious children.
Apart from business and sports betting, Jim also takes an avid interest in politics. He is an ardent follower of the democratic party and has also aided in some of their election campaigns. To add to this long list of interests is his keen interest in film production. He has produced quite a few Hollywood films along with his wife.
Some of the popular films produced by James (a.k.a Jim) McIngvale are Sidekicks (1992), WWE Raw(1993), and Fox News Live, which was released in the year 2003. Thus, McIngvale is not just a business tycoon but has several feathers to his cape.
However, apart from the enormous Mattress Mack net worth, another reason the business tycoon has headlined in the news is his loss is a football bet. He recently lost almost $4.7 million on a bet that he had placed on one of his favorite football teams.
What is Mattress Mack net worth
As mentioned earlier, Mattress Mack net worth is an enormous $300 million. While he earns mainly from his furniture business, betting on sports team gets him a lot of money.
The business aficionado has often tried to blend his two favorite activities. You can also find glimpses of his sports betting in his furniture business. He often runs promotions and offers in his furniture stores that involve free furniture for customers if the Houston Astros win.
Hence, the businessman is famous for a successful and leading furniture business and also his passion for sports. However, you might wonder how he managed to maintain the much talked about Mattress Mack net worth when the Houston Astros lose games, considering he continually runs promotions at his stores related to the team.
Well, he makes massive bets on the team’s games and earns hefty sums when he wins, which is how he makes up for the discounted or free furniture he sells at his stores.
Business and Assets
Interestingly, his thriving furniture business has helped his build a lavish house in Houston. The entire property is worth close to $595000. So, within the Mattress Mack net worth of $300 million, this house makes an integral part.
Apart from the house in Houston, where he lives, he also owns a property in Lake House. This is less of a house and more of a mansion. Jim has kept some priceless relics in this mansion, including an ornate gourmet kitchen and Swarovski crystal chandeliers.
Thus, Mattress Mack’s net worth is quite humungous, and so is his entire life and lifestyle!
James McIngvale: The Author
Apart from his acumen in politics and business, James McIngvale is also a renowned author. As a successful businessman and marketer, he has carved a niche for his brand with the best possible offers for his customers.
Whether it is same-day delivery or any other source of customer delight, Jim tried it all to appease the driving force behind his business: “his customers.”
So, he has used his business knowledge to pen down what we know as “Always Think Big.” This book enjoys excellent reviews and ratings on almost all e-commerce platforms. It is rated around 4 on GoodReads. In this book, he shares the seven principles of business that every business owner must follow.
Apart from this, he also enables and equips his readers to implement his unique customer service approach with the utmost efficiency for his business. He encourages his readers to be courageous while doing business and take risks when required.
Mack also urges them to work hard and with vigor. He conveys that as long as an entrepreneur has a clear purpose and mission, nothing stands in his way as a hindrance. His simple philosophy is useful not just for those in business but for people from all walks of life.
The Philanthropist
Mattress Mack is famous for his charitable activities all over Houston. Back in 2017, when Houston went through Hurricane Harvey, Jim opened his stores as shelter. But he did not stop there. Philanthropy became a usual activity for him.
In 2019 when Houston went through the Tropical Strom Imelda, he again opened the doors of his Gallery furniture to the homeless people. He also collaborated with Crisis Clean Up and provided free meals and shelter.
In 2021, when there was a power crisis in Texas and winter storms, he opened up Gallery Furniture branches to allow people to stay there. During Hurricane Ida, which took place in 2021, he was once again involved in providing free food and shelter to the homeless and the needy.
Hence, it is not just Mattress Macks net worth that is massive, but the person also has an enormous heart for helping people in need.
