HOUSTON — In Houston, hustle is practically a second language. And few Houstonians have spoken it longer, louder—or more successfully—than Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale.

Now, Houston City College (HCC) is once again turning that unmistakable Mattress Mack energy into practical education with the Fall 2026 HCC Mattress Mack School of Selling, an intensive six-session onsite program designed for entrepreneurs, aspiring business owners, sales professionals, college students, career changers and anyone ready to become better at selling an idea, a product—or themselves.

There is one especially attractive price tag: $0.

Applications are free, participation is free for accepted applicants who complete the program, and graduates receive an HCC Mattress Mack School of Selling Certificate of Completion. Classroom space, however, is limited, and the application deadline is Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CST.

Apply for the Fall 2026 HCC Mattress Mack School of Selling

https://hcc.idloom.events/MMSSOnsiteFall26

 Wells-Fargo-Small Business Success Series by HCC – Registration QR-CODE

From $5,000 and a Dream to a Houston Classroom

The program draws its personality from one of Houston’s most recognizable entrepreneurs. McIngvale and his wife, Linda, arrived in Houston in 1981 with roughly $5,000 and a dream, launching what became Gallery Furniture from an abandoned model-home property along the North Freeway. His relentless advertising, inventory discipline, hands-on leadership and famous promise to deliver furniture the same day helped transform the company into a Houston institution.

But behind the television commercials and “save you money!” enthusiasm is a business philosophy rooted in something decidedly old-fashioned: listen to customers, work hard, keep your promises and take care of people.

That philosophy is now part of a growing educational legacy.

HCC reports that the Mattress Mack School of Selling has operated for approximately 5½ years, completed 12 virtual and onsite cohorts and produced 510 graduate alumni. HCC expects its Fall 2026 programs to move the initiative into Cohorts 13 and 14.

That is no small footnote. It is evidence that Houston’s entrepreneurial spirit can be taught, sharpened and passed forward.

Six Tuesdays, 18 Hours, One Serious Commitment

Classes will be held at HCC Alief Hayes Campus, 2811 Hayes Road, on Tuesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., beginning September 8 and concluding October 13.

The curriculum reads almost like a blueprint for surviving business:

September 8 — The Art of Listening, led by Landi Spearman; September 15 — Persistence, led by Austin Tenette; September 22 — The Ability to Say No, with Spearman; September 29 — Caring Customer Service, led by Jennifer Dale; October 6 — Building a Book of Business, with Tenette; and October 13 — What You Learn After You Know It All, again led by Tenette.

That last title may be the most Mattress Mack lesson of them all: the minute an entrepreneur believes there is nothing left to learn, the competition is probably already learning it.

The program is offered through HCC Northwest’s Glenda and David Regenbaum Center for Entrepreneurship, whose mission has long centered on helping entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses through education, mentoring, resources and community connections. The Regenbaums helped strengthen that mission with a $100,000 contribution supporting entrepreneurial initiatives.

Accepted applicants must commit to all six sessions; partial participation is not permitted. HCC notes that some graduates could also be considered for sales opportunities at Gallery Furniture or other employers, although employment is not guaranteed.

For entrepreneurs wanting to continue learning after graduation, HCC is also offering its Fall 2026 Small Business Success Series, a no-cost virtual program covering venture validation, entrepreneurial mindset, financials, risk management, sales and marketing.

Explore HCC’s Fall 2026 Small Business Success Series: https://hcc.idloom.events/SBSSFall2026

Houston Style Magazine has long celebrated programs that connect education with economic opportunity. The Mattress Mack School of Selling does exactly that—taking lessons forged on Houston showroom floors and placing them into the hands of the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Because in this city, somebody is always dreaming up the next great Houston business.

The first sale may simply be believing they can do it.

Explore HCC’s Fall 2026 Small Business Success Series: https://hcc.idloom.events/SBSSFall2026