We were lucky to catch up with Brittany King recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brittany, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

I deeply believe being successful is about creating spaces where people feel seen, connected, and inspired.

For example, within the event arm of our curation, we offer Mahjong lessons, and you learn quickly that no single tile wins the game – it’s how you arrange, adapt, and play them together that creates a winning hand. I think business and life work the same way. Success isn’t just about having the ‘best’ ideas or skills. It’s about building something that brings people together, meets a need, and creates a moment they’ll remember.

One of my favorite moments that shaped this view was during a lesson I hosted for complete beginners. At first, everyone was nervous and silent, afraid to mess up. But within twenty minutes, the tiles started clacking, laughter spread across the table, and by the end, no one wanted to leave. That night, a woman came up to me and said, ‘I haven’t felt this connected to people in a long time, who knew I just needed to learn to be more playful, thank you.’

That is what success feels like to me – creating something that leaves people better than you found them. Profits, metrics, and strategies matter, but they are tools. Real success is when people carry your work with them in their hearts long after they leave your space.

Brittany, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Brittany King here, founder of MadHatters. My background is in strategy, brand development, and operations – but my heart has been anchored in creating spaces that bring people together. I have always felt compelled to ensure any and all gatherings includes a touch of wonder. Whether it’s a dinner for twelve or tea for one, setting the “table” is an act of intention – a quiet rebellion against the rush, the ordinary, the disposable.

My Nana hosted large-scale fundraisers and parties often and rather than a checklist of perfection, I witnessed her sprinkle every inch of the experience with intention. Making a variety of tiny placements of a particular candy, or flower, a meal item, a plate even – that to most would seem insignificant, but each one was deeply tied to a specific individual attending the party. These were ties that only the individual would notice and feel the warmth of care and consideration from my Nana, like a secret wink only they knew. It brought such natural warmth to the functions and invited those into a time driven of the heart.

When I discovered Mahjong, I knew this was a stellar fit for the heart of what I do with MadHatters. I instantly fell in love with its layers: the strategy, the history, and especially the way it connects people around a table. Over time, I saw that there was such a variety of pockets of people playing, but not a path of bringing those people together in a creative and inclusive way. That’s when I knew I wanted to begin building the bridge by providing a welcoming, beautiful, and community-focused place to learn and play Mahjong across the cities.

We provide lessons for all levels, special events, curated retail experiences and fundraisers. Whether you’re a total beginner or someone who grew up playing with grandparents, our goal is to make you feel at home.

I think what sets us apart is that we’re not just teaching a game. We’re building a boundless community that honors tradition while inviting new generations to experience Mahjong in their own way. We lean into a sense of whimsy, curiosity, and belonging with every opportunity to serve. We solve for people feeling intimidated to learn, disconnected from others, or searching for a tactile, meaningful hobby in a digital world.

I’m most proud of seeing people walk in nervous and leave laughing, confident, and connected. That transformation – from curiosity to confidence to community – is the heart of why I do this work. If there’s one thing to know about MadHatters, it’s that we believe in the power of play to build relationships and enrich lives.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

My biggest advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale is to treat your people like whole humans, not just roles.

Everyone wants to feel seen, valued, and trusted. That starts with setting clear expectations – people need to know what success looks like – but it grows through giving them agency and showing appreciation for their unique contributions.

I also believe in creating micro-moments of celebration. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, just authentic. In any setting, you can celebrate small wins at the table, and that spirit applies to teams too. A quick message of praise, asking how someone’s family is doing, or bringing in their favorite snack can shift an entire day’s morale. People make the process work, so people must come first, no matter what.

One thing I’ve learned is that when you share the why behind what you’re building and invite your team into that vision, they show up not just for the paycheck but because they care. That sense of belonging and purpose is what keeps the culture strong, even when work is hard.

Finally, I think it’s important to remember: leaders set the tone. If you approach challenges with curiosity, patience, and possibility, your team will too.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing our clientele has been creating meaningful, shareable experiences.

People don’t just come to the table to learn a game; they come for an infusion of “more” and a sense of belonging. We take the task of affirming the courage to show up and do something new as a serious honor. When someone leaves a lesson or event feeling empowered and joyful, they naturally tell their friends, bring a family member next time, or share it online.

Word of mouth has been our strongest growth driver, but it doesn’t happen by accident. We intentionally design every touchpoint – from how we greet guests to the whimsical lesson and event names and themes to the vibe of the space – to create an experience people want to talk about.

We also pair this with strategic outputs & partnerships that showcases elegance, fun, and accessibility. It’s not just “here’s a class,” but “here’s a place you’ll want to be.” That emotional connection turns wonder into sign-ups and one-time visitors into members.

At the end of the day, experiences that make people feel something are the best marketing you can invest in.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @hello.mahj
• Other: General inquiries: [email protected]
  Mahjong-specific inquires: [email protected]

Image Credits

Image Credits: Nick Wang