By Trystyn Merrill

Joy, a self-made millionaire

Have you seen the movie Joy? Well, “that movie is only 50% inspired” by Joy Mangano’s life, meaning the other 50% is made up. Although it captured the spirit of her entrepreneurial journey, the director David O. Russell took creative liberties and added many women’s stories to the mix. Here, we’re only focusing on the essence of her journey from rags to riches. Whether you have or have not watched the movie, you will still find Mangano’s success story inspiring, or might I say JOYful. 

Joy, the movie                                       Joy Mangano

Joy Magano grew up in Huntington, NewYork. At the age of 12, Joy was constantly tinkering, for instance, trying to modify her parents’ toaster to have a roasting feature. When she was 16, she had a part-time job at an animal hospital where she came up with her first invention: a fluorescent flea collar. It was for dogs and cats to wear to be seen at night by passing cars. However, that invention never took flight. “I did promise myself that I would not just sit on another idea.” (Mangano). In the next few years, Joy earned her business degree from Pace University. She married Anthony Miranne and became a mother of 3. She divorced in 1989. Anthony and Joy remained friends. She struggled to pay bills, working as a waitress and an airline-reservation manager while living in a two-bedroom ranch in Smithtown. She was financially strained, and her home and work life were exhausting.

A clip for the movie, Joy, a fictional moment between her and her husband. A clip from the movie, Joy, family at the ranch 

“If I had listened to all the people who told me ‘a mop is a mop’ when I first dreamed up the invention of the miracle mop, I would not be here.” (Mangano). Joy’s three children were chronically messy; therefore, she was constantly mopping her floors. Joy became frustrated, with back pain from having to dunk her hands in dirty mop water. Joy developed a self-wringing mop, featuring a large condition loop of cotton that could be rung out easily and put in the washer. “My intention wasn’t to become famous, my intention was to provide for my family.” (Mangano). She made over 20 prototypes, and using friends’ and family’s savings, she got to work assembling them in her dad’s car workshop. For two years, she was bringing her product to flea markets and grocery store aisles,  but it wasn’t bringing in enough cash. 

            Original airing of the Miracle Mop, A clip from the movie Joy, right before she goes on air

QVC was looking for new products, and Joy reached out. In 1992, Joy got QVC to sell her Miracle Mop. They started at 1,000 units per deal. However, the first airing of Miracle Mop was a flop because of the male host’s unsuccessful voice-over. Joy was given a second chance, and she would present the mop herself on air, but she initially froze when they went live. Her best friend even called and acted interested in the mop. During that airing, 18,000 mops were sold in less than half an hour. This massive success put her under the radar of many companies. Ingenious Designs was sold to USA Networks. Mangano served as vice president. Her products were successful, achieving over 150 million in annual sales. Joy went on to invent many successful products: Huggleble Hanggers, shade readers, Forever Fragrant, my little steamer, and luggage with the spinball wheel system. Joy holds over 100 patents in her name

Joy with her huggable hangers. Joy with her miracle mop

Joy had always had the drive to invent. When she decided not to sit on her next invention, she took major risks. She landed a deal with QVC, and after those 18,000 mops sold, her career took off. Joy continues to make products to this day; her net worth is 70 million. “I’ve probably been told no a million times in my life. But no doesn’t really mean no – it is not the end of anything, it doesn’t shut down our options, it gives us more! I always think: ‘How can I turn this into a yes?’ Finding your way around the no makes your work harder. This is a chance to learn something. Reset your thinking and prove people wrong.” (Mangano forbes.com)

Joy with her Miracle mops. Joy with Pitbull and their cleanboss spray.