Today we’d like to introduce you to Ronni Rice.
Hi Ronni, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Growing up, I fell asleep countless nights to the sound of Mahjong tiles clicking, as my mother, grandmother, aunt and all their friends were avid Mahj players. It wasn’t until my own kids were in elementary school when I finally learned how to play myself, and my passion was born. Pre-pandemic, a friend and I form a group called “Mahjong for Beginners and More” truly with the sole purpose of trying to teach and find more players because there is no such thing as too much Mahj!!! Our group grew from 16 initial players to having over 170 people on our list. Then Covid hit, and when we started back to playing in-person Mahj, we decided to keep that group very small and just play with the advanced players. But, I missed teaching and decided to continue spreading my love of Mahj, and thus Marvelous Mrs. Mahj was born.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Marvelous Mrs. Mahj was formed one year ago in February. The actual teaching is super fun, but it has been a huge learning curve running my own business. It’s challenging finding new students, getting and keeping my name out there. I was naive about how much time and energy is required to keep up with social media, emails and networking! This has all become much easier now that I have more of a system in place. I do rely heavily on word of mouth, so showing my appreciation to my friend and students is also very important. And I am very grateful!!!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a passionate and dedicated teacher of American Mahjong. This game is not only good for our brains but great for our social life as well. I have met and made so many dear friends through playing Mahj! It is a complicated yet very fun game. I am a patient and, I hope, humorous instructor. I love introducing beginner players to others and helping them form their own groups for playing. Nothing makes me more proud than knowing I have spread this joy and helped people make new friends through playing Mahj. I hold monthly Intro to Mahj groups, weekly practice sessions, and bi-monthly host Marvelous Mrs. Mahj events, which are super fun, free afternoons of playing Mahjong, good food, great new friends, and prizes!!! I also teach privately and have traveled from Santa Barbara to Long Beach to East of Pasadena to teach new friends.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Yes! First, I learned that life is too short, and we have to make the most out of every day we have. I also learned to follow my passion, and it created a new life for myself. I love bringing joy to other people’s lives!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: marvelousmrsmahj.com
- Instagram: @marvelousmrsmahj
