By: Marco Derhy

As part of our “Inspiring Successful Stories” series, we are thrilled to interview Mayan Metzler, founder and CEO of German Kitchen Center (GKC), who will be discussing his transformative journey, the groundbreaking success of GKC, the powerhouse partnership with Leicht, and his visionary approach to incorporating cutting-edge technology in the kitchen space.

Thank you so much for joining us, Mayan! You’ve built something genuinely phenomenal with the German Kitchen Center. What initially led you to this path?

Mayan: First, I became a Leicht dealer in 2010 and opened our first showroom in Manhattan on Broadway and 68th. I quickly realized how powerful Leicht is as a brand and all its unique advantages, so we started to develop regionally, opening more showrooms in the New York Tri-State Area. In 2012, we brought Nobilia to the U.S. as a value premium option, making us develop the German Kitchen Center brand to encompass both Leicht and Nobilia. In 2016, we expanded nationally and opened showrooms in Seattle, Denver, Dallas, LA, Atlanta, South Florida, Washington DC, and Chicago. And you know, as they say, the rest is history 🙂

Leicht has become a vital partner for GKC. What makes this brand such a perfect fit?

Mayan: Today, Leicht is the leading German brand in premium kitchens and the undisputed # 1 brand. What makes Leicht so strong is innovation, commitment to R&D, and continuous product development. Leicht is the only German manufacturer to open a new factory worth 90 million euros just two years ago. A tremendous variety of options, including phenomenal value engineering solutions, more customization and variety than any other German brand, and a committed team working around the clock in Waldstetten, Germany, make Leicht the category leader.

German Kitchen Center is now recognized as the leading cabinet company in the U.S. What do you think sets GKC apart in such a competitive industry?

Mayan: The team, the people, the designers, and, did I say, the team? 🙂 We’re the only company that partnered with the leading manufacturers in the world in every product category, so having the best products doesn’t hurt (Leicht — # 1 premium German kitchen brand, Team7, the world leader in solid wood and Charles Yorke, the world leader in Bespoke English Furniture). Our technology, methodology, track record of thousands of 100% completed projects, and relentless commitment to ensuring our clients are happy are all part of our recipe for success.

Beyond stunning kitchens, you’ve been pushing the boundaries with fascinating innovations. Can you tell us more about your Terra Lux technology and how it’s revolutionizing the industry?

Mayan: Yes, my favorite topic 🙂 We’re combining the physical and digital world, creating 3d presentations using A.I. and advanced technologies, enabling next-level presentations and content creation that have yet to be seen. Our current focus is launching our local farm database and produce marketplace, allowing consumers to purchase fresh, healthy organic produce directly from their regional farms. Another fantastic aspect of this technology is the kitchen of the future. It will enable anyone with any existing kitchen to manage the contents of their kitchen, including inventory management, meal planning, cooking, and creating shopping lists. We’re excited to be launching all of these through the GKC showrooms.

You’re not stopping there. You’re also integrating local farming and healthy eating into the GKC experience. Would you like to talk more about that?

Mayan: Yes, exactly. To continue what I mentioned, we’ll partner with local farms near the GKC showrooms, showcase fresh produce, and work with local chefs to showcase the best farm-to-table dishes. For me, this is the heart of the mission because eating healthy and making good local fruits and vegetables accessible is the single most effective impact we can have on improving people’s health and quality of life. That’s how we can change the world!

Team 7 – A leading brand renowned for its high-quality wood finishes and sustainably crafted furniture.

Your story of success is intertwined with people. Can you tell us about the key people who helped you along the way?

Mayan: First, I must give full credit, gratitude, and appreciation to my mom, who has been the most pivotal support overall but has explicitly operated as the COO of GKC, working around the clock. I can’t express enough gratitude for the great blessing of having such unbelievable warriors on my side, like Iris Avraham, our sales manager; Helya Metzler, our ordering manager; and many more amazing people, including every member of our organization. I can’t stress enough the magnitude of this blessing. The people are what makes our organization so spectacular.

You’ve had significant achievements over the years, but what has been the most rewarding part of building GKC?

Mayan: As I keep saying, the team! I call it miracles; meeting someone who becomes such a pivotal part of your life and an essential part of your success is a true miracle. We’re so blessed to have so many of them in GKC, as well as all of our sister organizations. The other part, also people, are the clients. I’ve had the good fortune to connect with some of our clients and develop amazing personal friendships. Many of our clients are the leaders of our society in business, politics, and non-profit work, and they are super accomplished professionals, as well as great people with warm hearts. We’ve been very blessed in that aspect as well.

You’re certainly on a mission to make a difference. What’s next on the horizon for you and GKC?

Mayan: My mission is to launch the New Earth, so the plan is to take GKC from the old Earth to the New Earth using all the latest and greatest technology, including A.I. and other advanced platforms, integrating the kitchen of the future, and celebrating via our launch events at all our showrooms nationwide. I’m looking forward to the day when everyone will be welcome to come to our showrooms, indulge in the healthiest, most energizing food available, and enjoy the connection to the latest technology and local farms.

This has been incredibly inspiring, Mayan. Before we wrap up, is there anyone out there you’d love to sit down with for a meal and some great conversation?

Mayan: You mean like Jesus, Moses, Budha, and Mohammad? Or, to be more practical, like Elon Musk, Richard Branson, and some other known billionaires? 🙂 I would love to connect with resourceful people who want to change the world.

For our readers who are intrigued by your vision and want to keep up with your journey, how can they follow up with you or get more involved with what you’re doing?

Mayan: GermanKitchenCenter.com, Youtube, Facebook, and Terra Lux technology.

Thank you for sharing your incredible journey, passion for innovation, and vision for kitchen design’s future. We can’t wait to see what’s next for the German Kitchen Center and the groundbreaking NE5D technology. Keep pushing boundaries and inspiring us all!

Published by: Nelly Chavez