Daily Inspiration: Meet Debbie Levin Katz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Levin Katz.

Hi Debbie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2022, I had the opportunity to purchase Mah Jongg Maven with my best friend. Mah Jongg Maven was already a well-established brand with more than 25 years of history, and we believed our backgrounds in marketing and sales could help us grow the business while having a lot of fun along the way.

We dreamed of attending tournaments, creating beautiful new sets, and introducing more players to the game we love. At the time, the company primarily sold through a printed catalog, so one of our first projects was refreshing the brand with a new website and updated logo.

What we didn’t anticipate was the incredible resurgence of Mah Jongg. The game’s popularity has exploded, bringing together players of all ages and creating a vibrant new generation of enthusiasts.

Today, Mah Jongg Maven is known for our beautifully engraved and hand-painted traditional sets. Our designs honor the rich history and traditions of Mah Jongg while incorporating updated colors, enhanced readability, and modern flair. Tournament players especially appreciate our larger numbers, bright and colorful characters, and the distinctive feel of our tiles. We love attending tournaments and seeing dozens of Mah Jongg Maven sets in play—it’s a proud reminder of the community we’ve become part of.

As the game continues to grow, we’ve expanded our collection while staying true to the foundations of traditional Mah Jongg. We’ve partnered with talented artists to create stunning, artistic sets that are fresh and beautiful, yet still rooted in traditional character designs. Unlike many decorative sets on the market, our tiles remain fully intuitive to play—there’s no key, guide, or translation sheet required.

Another feature that makes Mah Jongg Maven unique is our collection of personalized Custom Jokers. Players can create jokers featuring their names, pets, hobbies, favorite activities, and more, making their sets truly one-of-a-kind. These custom pieces have become a favorite way for players to express their personalities and bring even more joy to the table.

At Mah Jongg Maven, we’re passionate about preserving the traditions of the game while helping shape its future. As the Mah Jongg market continues to grow, we’ve also seen many new companies enter the space. While printed tiles have become increasingly common, Mah Jongg Maven remains committed to the craftsmanship that built our reputation. We will continue to create engraved and hand-painted tiles because we believe they offer a superior playing experience, greater durability, and a beauty that simply can’t be replicated by printing alone. The depth of the engraving, the richness of the hand-painted details, and the tactile feel of each tile are what make our sets stand out on the table and why so many players continue to choose Mah Jongg Maven.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has certainly not always been smooth. Shortly after purchasing Mah Jongg Maven, I faced one of my greatest challenges when my business partner passed away within the first year of ownership. What was meant to be a shared journey suddenly became one I had to navigate on my own. It was an incredibly difficult time, both personally and professionally, as I learned to manage every aspect of the business while continuing to honor the vision we had when we acquired the company.

As I moved forward, another challenge was navigating the tremendous growth and popularity of Mah Jongg in recent years. While the increased interest in the game has been exciting, it has also brought an influx of new brands and products into the marketplace, creating a more competitive environment and making it more important than ever to educate new players about what makes Mah Jongg Maven different.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am the owner of Mah Jongg Maven, a direct-to-consumer company specializing in high-quality engraved and hand-painted American Mah Jongg sets, accessories, and products designed to elevate the playing experience.

My career began in television broadcast sales and later expanded into digital media, technology, and software e-commerce sales. Throughout my career, I learned the importance of building relationships, listening to customers, and delivering exceptional service—principles that became the foundation of how I run Mah Jongg Maven today.

What I am most proud of is carrying forward the tradition and craftsmanship of our products while staying true to our commitment to quality and value. In an industry where many manufacturers have transitioned to printed tiles and higher price points, we have continued to offer beautifully engraved, hand-painted sets at an accessible price without compromising on quality.

What truly sets us apart is our personal approach. As a small business, every customer interaction matters. We are known for our responsiveness, attention to detail, and genuine commitment to helping players find the right set for their Mah Jongg journey. Much of our growth has come through referrals and word-of-mouth from loyal customers, which is the greatest compliment we can receive.

I am incredibly proud that Mah Jongg Maven has become part of so many meaningful moments—friends gathering around a table, families creating traditions, and communities coming together through the joy of Mah Jongg. At the heart of everything we do is a simple mission: to provide beautiful products, exceptional service, and a playing experience that brings people together.

What are your plans for the future?
We are incredibly excited about the future of Mah Jongg Maven. One of our biggest areas of growth is expanding our Artist Series, collaborating with talented artists to create unique, beautiful Mah Jongg sets that allow players to express their personal style while still honoring the tradition of the game.

We also have an exciting brand partnership that will be launching soon, and we look forward to sharing more details. We will be announcing this collaboration on our social media channels soon, and we can’t wait for our customers and the Mah Jongg community to see what we have been working on. Collaborations like these allow us to introduce Mah Jongg Maven to new audiences while staying true to what has always made our company special—quality craftsmanship, exceptional customer service, and products that bring people together.

As we continue to grow, our focus remains on thoughtful expansion. We are always looking for new ways to innovate, create beautiful products, and enhance the Mah Jongg experience while maintaining the standards and values that our loyal customers have come to expect.

Pricing:

• Our engraved and hand painted sets start at $175

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mahjonggmaven.com
• Instagram: @mahjonggmaven
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mahjonggmaven/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbielevin/