Businesses That Started In A Garage
11. Mattel Started In A Garage In Southern California
Toy manufacturer Mattel started its operations in California at the end of the Second World War in 1945.
However, the company didn’t start as the toy company it would later become known for after producing the iconic Barbie doll.
Founders Harold Matson and Ruth Handler started creating picture frames out of Handler’s garage in Southern California. It was only when they decided not to waste the leftover materials that they started creating doll houses.
It was reported that Ruth was responsible for bringing the company’s first order for the doll houses when she was working for Paramount Pictures, and she sold the items to a nearby furniture store.
When the doll houses started selling more than the picture frames, the entrepreneurs quit the picture frame business to focus solely on children’s toys.
Fun fact – The famous Barbie Doll is named after Ruth’s daughter Barbara.
The company is now worth over $10 billion.
