At Renaissance Community Loan Fund (RCLF), we believe the strongest businesses are often built around something bigger than a product or service.
They are built around people.
They solve problems, create opportunities, and strengthen the communities they serve.
That is exactly what inspired Annette “Nettie” Tomlinson and Staci Bevill to create The Mahj Parlour in Tupelo, Mississippi.
What began as a shared love for Mahjong has evolved into a vision for something much greater; a welcoming gathering place where friendships are formed, new skills are learned, and people feel a sense of belonging.
That vision recently earned The Mahj Parlour 2nd Place in The Pitch 2026, an entrepreneurial competition hosted by the Community Development Foundation (CDF) that helps emerging business owners transform ideas into sustainable businesses. But for Nettie and Staci, the recognition represents more than a trophy or a title.
It represents the possibility of creating meaningful connections in a world that often feels disconnected.
A Place Where Community Comes First
Across the country, Mahjong has experienced a remarkable resurgence. What was once considered a niche pastime has become one of the fastest-growing social games among people seeking genuine connection and community.
Nettie and Staci saw that movement firsthand.
As passionate Mahjong players themselves, they recognized there was no dedicated place in Northeast Mississippi where enthusiasts could gather regularly, learn the game, host events, and build relationships with others who shared their interests.
Rather than waiting for someone else to create that space, they decided to build it themselves.
Located in Tupelo, The Mahj Parlour was designed to be more than a gaming venue. Through memberships, lessons, open play opportunities, private events, merchandise, and future mobile experiences, the business is centered on bringing people together around a common table.
Because sometimes community starts with something as simple as an invitation to sit down and play.
Turning Passion into Purpose
Like many entrepreneurs, Nettie and Staci had a powerful vision.
But vision alone doesn’t build a business.
Building a sustainable company requires planning, strategy, financial understanding, and the willingness to ask hard questions about growth and long-term success.
That’s what led them to The Pitch 2026.
Hosted annually by the Community Development Foundation, The Pitch is designed to cultivate entrepreneurship throughout Tupelo and Lee County. For more than 75 years, CDF has served as both the chamber of commerce and economic development organization for the region, helping create an environment where businesses can launch, grow, and thrive.
Participants in The Pitch work through an intensive process that challenges them to strengthen their business models, refine financial projections, identify growth opportunities, and prepare to present their vision before a panel of judges.
For many entrepreneurs, the experience becomes a turning point.
An idea becomes a roadmap.
A dream becomes a business plan.
And a passion becomes a pathway to impact.
The Power of Coaching and Connection
Throughout the competition, The Mahj Parlour worked closely with RCLF’s business development team to strengthen its foundation and prepare for the final pitch presentation.
At RCLF, we understand that access to capital is only one piece of the puzzle. Entrepreneurs also need guidance, resources, encouragement, and trusted partners who can help them navigate the challenges of building a business.
Together, we explored opportunities to diversify revenue streams, evaluate growth potential, and build a strategy that could support long-term sustainability.
From memberships and educational programming to special events, private rentals, merchandise, and “Mahj on the Move” experiences, the coaching process helped transform a creative idea into a scalable business opportunity.
More importantly, it helped clarify what makes The Mahj Parlour truly unique.
It isn’t about the tiles.
It’s about the people sitting around the table.
Building Something Bigger Than a Business
When Nettie and Staci stepped onto the stage to present their business, they weren’t simply talking about Mahjong.
They were talking about community.
They were talking about creating a place where newcomers feel welcome, friendships are formed, and people can disconnect from their devices long enough to connect with one another.
In an era where loneliness and social isolation continue to affect communities across the country, their message struck a chord.
The judges saw what many others have already recognized that The Mahj Parlour offers more than entertainment.
It offers connection.
That vision earned the business a 2nd Place finish among a talented group of entrepreneurs and validated the potential impact of the concept.
Why Stories Like This Matter
At RCLF, we often say we are more than a lender.
We are advocates, connectors, and champions for the communities we serve.
Sometimes that means helping a family achieve homeownership.
Sometimes it means financing a growing business.
And sometimes it means helping entrepreneurs discover that their idea has the potential to create something much bigger than they imagined.
The Mahj Parlour reminds us that successful businesses aren’t always born from identifying a market trend or chasing a profit opportunity.
Sometimes they begin with a simple desire to bring people together.
When entrepreneurs are empowered with the right tools, guidance, and support, they create more than businesses.
They create gathering places.
They create opportunities.
They create community.
We congratulate Nettie Tomlinson and Staci Bevill on earning 2nd Place in The Pitch 2026 and look forward to watching The Mahj Parlour continue to grow and thrive. Through their commitment to “Making Connections One Tile at a Time,” they are creating more than a place to play a game; they are creating a place where people gather, friendships are formed, and community is strengthened. At RCLF, we believe businesses like The Mahj Parlour help build the vibrant, connected communities we all want to call home, and we are proud to have been part of their journey.
