Our Story
The idea of Mahj Box was sparked by a late-night, cocktail-driven conversation….and 38 years of friendship. The three of us met our freshman year in college when we joined Sigma Kappa sorority. Hundreds of trips, millions of laughs and an undisclosed number of beverages later, we arrived at Mahj Box.
Mahjong has a special way of bringing people together to laugh, learn, grow and build real community. We fell in love not only with the game, but with the connections it creates around our tables. We started Mahj Box to share that joy and to make entertaining easier, gatherings more beautiful and every day feel like a celebration of friendship.
Meet the Founder - Jodi
Hi, I’m Jodi, one of the co-founders. I’m from Pittsburgh, PA but moved away after graduating from college for my job and later my husband’s job. He was in the Air Force and we had the incredible opportunity to attend language school for Spanish in Monterey, CA before moving to Spain for two years, followed by a three year assignment in Germany. A total of ten moves, three children, countless countries visited, and 30+ years in manufacturing and non-profit later, I have arrived at Mahj Box with two of my best friends from college. The first time I ever saw mahjong being played was at the Officers Club in Ramstein, Germany. It was a large group of Asian spouses who found friendship and community through mahjong in a country far from home. I was completely fascinated and wanted to learn immediately, but I didn’t speak their languages or have any understanding of how the game was played. Children, work and life kept me busy for nearly another twenty years until I finally had the chance to learn how to play American Mahjong through the mother of a friend. To say that I was immediately addicted is an understatement. I have met so many beautiful, brilliant, funny and kind women through mahjong, gathering at cafes, bars and each other’s houses, sometimes playing 4 times a week. As our friendships grew, so did our love for all things mahj, from beautiful tiles, to mats, dice, lamps, bags, cups, mugs, silly napkins, wine markers…the list, like the addiction, is without limits.
Sparked by a late-night conversation over cocktails with my lifelong besties, the idea of Mahj Box was formed. Moving as much as I did, female friendships were essential, and what better way to promote friendships than gathering around a mahjong table with a group of fabulous women to play mahjong.
Mahj Box perfectly combines my love of friendship, travels and beautiful things!
Meet the Founder - Karen
I’ve always loved games, gatherings, and a great party. Some of my favorite memories are of time spent with family and friends, where laughter, competition, and connection naturally came together. My love for Mahjong was inspired by my mother, who played regularly and sparked my desire to learn the game myself. Mahjong has become more than a game—it is a reason to gather.
My lifestyle includes frequent travel, with most of my time spent between Atlanta, Georgia, the Jersey Shore, Kiawah Island, and Seaside, Florida. Wherever I am, I’m inspired by relaxed entertaining, meaningful connections, and joyful experiences.
Like many busy hosts, I don’t always have the time to shop for the perfect details to curate the perfect gathering. I want everything to be beautiful, thoughtful, and fun.
I’m blessed with friends who share my passion for play and a good time, and it was during one of our weekend Mahjong gatherings that Mahj Box was dreamed up. Each quarterly Mahj Box is thoughtfully curated to elevate your Mahjong experience and make hosting easier and more delightful.
I’d love for you to check out our Mahj Box offerings and hope they bring joy, inspiration, and an extra touch of fun to your Mahjong gatherings.
Meet the Founder - Cheryl
Hi, I'm Cheryl, one of the co-founders and Creative Director here at Mahj Box. As a small business, each of my partners and I wear several hats and must remain flexible about what we work on, but my main responsibilities include photography, social media, graphic design and procurement. All of these areas are new to me, and I am excited for the challenge of learning as I go!
As long as I can remember, I've been drawn to all things visually beautiful, from art to fabric to housewares. Through Mahj Box I have the opportunity to channel my creativity and love of pretty things into something that can be enjoyed by mahjong enthusiasts all over the country.
I currently live in Tennessee with my husband and a sassy French bulldog named Franco. I'm the proud mom of two adult daughters who are out on their own and thriving. I love spending time outdoors, particularly when I'm playing tennis, my absolute favorite pastime. I also enjoy playing mahjong (of course!), dining at every local restaurant that has a patio, entertaining at my home, and walking while listening to true crime podcasts.
I hope you'll follow along to see where this Mahj Box journey takes us!