[00:00:00] Ellington Brown: Welcome to SpeakUP! International with Rita Burke and Elton Brown! 

[00:00:14] Rita Burke: On SpeakUP! International, we crisscrossed the globe to find people that we considered to be community builders. And today, It's no exception. We are in Maryland. We are speaking with Zorina Pritchett. According to her bio, today's guest's life has been a beautiful journey filled with courage, compassion, and resilience.

At one point in her life, she was faced with caring for her disabled brother, and that experience drastically changed her life. And then in December of 2021, she was inspired to create a unique card game to help children needing a digital break. So although caregiving. and being an entrepreneur takes up most of her time.

She still finds time to support veterans. And today I'm introducing our listeners to our guest Zorina Pritchett. Welcome to SpeakUP! International! 

[00:01:26] Zorina Pritchett: Thank you for having me! 

[00:01:29] Ellington Brown: I know that this podcast is going to be wonderful. Because of the amount of time and effort that the three of us had to put in to this to invest into this in order to make it happen!

So I want to thank you very much for being here. What significant change happened in January 2020 that really changed your life? 

[00:02:01] Zorina Pritchett: My brother, to be honest, um, he had a stroke in December of 19. And so, of course, on Christmas Day, the day after, really, and so that year, uh, going to the hospital and finding out he had a brain stroke that totally erased his.

Memory the primary memory that helps us to speak and write and understand things it was gone and I knew very little about caregiving. And then also, you know, during that time, things were changing. People were getting sick and we didn't know what was going on and it was just a very challenging time for me because I was the one that had to take care of him and I just really wasn't prepared for that. A level of responsibility, but being thrust into that role, it really taught me a lot about compassion, patience, resilience, strategy, planning, all the things, because you find yourself, you're balancing two lives, you're balancing not only health wise, you're balancing financially and you had to be very mindful.

Um, and so, by caring for my brother, it really hit home about how important it is to care for others. Not only just because he was my brother, people will say that to me, Oh, you're such a great sister and I'll reply, it has nothing to do with me being his sister. It's just the right thing to do because he has no children.

He had no wife and no one else in the family stepped up to take care of him. And so. I felt like it was the right thing to do to take care of my brother. 

[00:03:56] Rita Burke: You said at the top of your response to Elton's question that you didn't know much about caregiving. Where did, where and how did you learn? Because obviously you needed to learn pretty fast.

Where and how did you learn to give him the care that he required? 

[00:04:14] Zorina Pritchett: Well, the doctors provided some basic instructions and then I think some of it is just that maternal. Because I did raise a son and having to teach him how to speak and write and understand and food preparation and making major decisions.

It was almost like going back to motherhood in a sense. And then some of it, I just feel like it was. As some people would say, common sense of just making sure that person is able to thrive. And that was really my motivation. It was even to the point that we did have some physical help a little bit with some things the doctor before everything shut down with COVID.

But one of the, um. Very irritating thing was a speech therapist that pretty much was writing my brother off because he wasn't able as I can say, like, this connect the dots. And so it was very upsetting because I saw potential of what God can do with miracles. And I, I really focused on that knowing that there's a universe, there's a God higher than what we operate that with hard work, stay focused and trying to get some resources when it was available.

I did seek that, but it was very little doing COVID because everything shut down. So I literally had to just, you know, what you can do this. You can do this. And that was my motivation.

[00:05:49] Ellington Brown: So how did it feel, Zorena, when you retired from federal service? 

[00:05:57] Zorina Pritchett: Wonderful! After 30 years of serving veterans, it was wonderful. However, you know how we have plans that when we get to the end of that rainbow, there's some things we wanted to do. I had planned on going either to Puerto Rico or St.

Thomas and stay maybe 3 to 6 months. Um, because, you know, we, we can do that easily in America. And so I wanted to do some things on my own travel. I had started, um, motivational speaking. Speaking and everything. So I had all this stuff planned in my head that I wanted to do, but unfortunately I had to be my brother's caregiver.

So those things were put on the burner, but I did do two circuits of the, uh, I call it circuit two times of the motivational speaking that really brought me joy that I can still do some things that I want to do in retirement and still help my brother, but I realized that my primary focus was on him and I was willing to make that sacrifice because for those caregivers.

I know you understand this when you're caring for someone and you see them thrive and they give you a glimpse of a smile or they touch your hand or a hug or they say, thank you. It just lights up your world. And it seems like no matter what I've accomplished in this lifetime. I consider my greatest accomplishment is bringing my back my brother back from the brink of death, giving him a life where he lives on his own.

Independently. He's in a good environment. He's thriving and to know that I had something to do with that is just exciting for me. And I'm very happy. I'm very happy to have had that journey and that testimony to tell people you can do this. You can do this! 

[00:07:53] Rita Burke: Sounds, sounds as if you thoroughly, thoroughly embraced and enjoyed the experience of caring for your brother.

And what I like most of all, do you use the word thrive as opposed to survive? And I think if the word thrive, if thriving is our North Star, I think that's a good benchmark for us to get where we want to get. So I really liked what you said there. But Elton's question had to do with your retirement from caring for veterans.

What was the experience like working with veterans? Talk to us about that. 

[00:08:37] Zorina Pritchett: Actually working for, uh, with veterans was wonderful because when veterans get injured, and I'm a disabled veteran myself, So, and we go through the process of healing and then going to the Department of Veterans Affairs, seeking compensation for the injuries that we sustain in the military is it can be cumbersome.

Veterans sometimes get discouraged because they don't understand the process and because I spent 30 years with the V. A. I understand the process and learn many things. And so when you're able to see that claim come through, you have to realize that it's a person. It's a family that's reaching out for help because if you don't visualize that, you'll see it as a just a widget to make production.

And so, because I saw the value In what the VA was doing, because I'm also recipient at that time, and I understand how important it is to have great care in our recovery. I guess it gave me a higher level of compassion because I know what it felt like being in the trenches of not knowing. And sometimes people think because you work somewhere, then you know everything about it.

And that's not true. You're still human. You still have your obstacles. goals to go through, but working there was really wonderful. And it's even more wonderful when I have an opportunity today, uh, following retirement to continue, to take my 30 years of knowledge and help veterans today with their claims.

[00:10:11] Ellington Brown: Did you witness or have you witnessed situations where a fellow service person got caught in the middle of all of the bureaucracy and they just gave up? 

[00:10:29] Zorina Pritchett: You hear about it all the time. We do have veterans that have been traumatized by war, and maybe someone told them misinformation, or maybe that they are entitled to benefits, but the process is too slow.

And so I, when I help veterans today, I really try to prepare them. I tell them. Think of yourself at the grocery store. You've got everything in your card. You're standing in line to go to the cashier to check out. There's several people have headed of you because they finished their shopping early and you have to wait your turn.

And that's how it is. Uh, when it comes to the VA, there's certain claims that can go ahead of the line because they have a special needs like prisoners of war homeless and other specially designated claims. But if you're just a regular, I say, regular veteran with a claim, and you don't meet that special category.

You have to unfortunately just stand in line and wait your turn, but we do have stories where veterans get overwhelmed with illness or things are going on in their life and they give up. And that's unfortunate because the VA does do their best in trying to, uh, support veterans and be there for veterans.

And we do offer resources to try to help them.

[00:11:52] Rita Burke: It sounds to me Zorina Pritchett, as if you have segued beautifully from working with veterans into your own business so you are considered an entrepreneur. If I were 20 years old or 25 and I'm considering starting my own business, talk to me about If I really should do that or not, please. 

[00:12:26] Zorina Pritchett: Well, I am a new startup. I started my business in July of 23. I will tell someone because I've always wanted to enter the field of business, but sometimes life throws you a curve ball and you have to spend. To the wayside not to get hit and just deal with that what's going on. And so I never gave up on it. I will tell someone honestly, who's considering going into business, something that people probably don't tell them a lot.

Make sure you have your house in order. And what I mean by that, I mean, your financial house in order. If you got a lot of debt and you got things that you haven't been able to pay, you need to go ahead and get that off the books because. When you want to go for loans, or you want to set up your account and get credit cards and things that will help you in a startup, if you do not have good credit, they're not going to give you those things that will help you.

Another thing I would tell someone, really think about what problem are you trying to solve. And the reason why I say that, because it's very easy to start a business. You just put Go out there. Some people just do buy products and sell. But when you're really trying to solve a problem, you have to really think about your customer base, how you're going to reach them and everything.

And then you're going to be patient because it may take you a while to reach your customer. And if you're just motivated by selling and not the passion and the solution that you're trying to bring, you, I believe you can get really discouraged. And then the other thing that I would encourage someone in their 20s is to understand that you're not going to make money right away.

So you do need to keep a job that will provide you benefits and make sure you're able to have. Your own livelihood and then just work your business on the side and continue to nurture it and develop it and find all the information that you need to grow because I started this later in life and I'm in a situation because I'm retired.

I don't have to do it. To worry about income as much. So someone just jumping out there and not doing their research, you really do yourself a disservice. But I really think that the most important thing is to know your why. Always keep, why are you. Doing this because there are a lot of hurdles and disappointments that you're gonna face, and you're not gonna feel like you're doing enough.

But when you keep that why that you're doing it, it keeps you motivated, it keeps you really on focus as to I know what I'm offering is for people out there and they are waiting for me. And not only are they waiting for me, but the reward for me is this I am worthy of being successful in this space and I'm having the discipline, the courage, the resilience, the self motivation to get the job done.

[00:15:43] Ellington Brown: So Zorina, you created a card game. I'd like to know what inspired you to do that and what is it called? 

[00:15:56] Zorina Pritchett: I was, I believe I was inspired by God. I had a dream in December of 21 of this card game. Uh, I had awakened out of my sleep and I can just actually Visualize the card game and I did try to dismiss it because I'm I was never a card game player because I just couldn't play the traditional games.

They was just too slow for me. So I was always say, let me be the scorekeeper. But this particular time, the game just, just kept being there for me. And so I just surrendered, went to my local store, got some paint cards and create the game. Just closed my eyes and just saw it and made the paint cards with markers.

And then I discovered playing the game with my family that it was a quick play game. They loved it. And so my son said, mom, can you develop it a little bit more? And I saw, I went home, made myself a plate of food, went out on the deck and say, okay, Lord, you gave me this game. So what you want me to do with it?

They wanted a little bit longer. He gave me the mathematical formula and how the cards came in. And so, uh, some people say, oh, is it like, Oh no, it's no, it's not like, Oh no, God's game. I call it God's game is different. You have to be the last player holding a card. And so there's a lot of matching and, um, shifting the cards.

You never keep your original hand, which is like life. Life is like, you know, what matching part? I say, you never long the shifting part is there's always going to be changes, but at the end of all of it, you want to be left standing. You want to be the person that say, okay, I'm here. I'm making a difference.

Bring it on. That's how I see it!

[00:17:40] Rita Burke: Bring it on now. Tell us how you went about marketing that game. How did you get? How did you go about sharing how to play that game with your cards to get it out into a wider, larger market? 

[00:18:00] Zorina Pritchett: Oh, well, it's still been a journey. It's still a work in progress after testing for entire year.

 Um, I don't know. I just felt like this passion because I saw what digital can do with children with my own grandchildren, uh, grades dropping grownups trying to talk through them through these little kid games. And I just felt like, you know what? I gotta do something, but it was my youngest granddaughter said, Gigi, you gotta get it out there.

So, as grandmothers, we know that sometimes we can misspeak. When we tell our grandkids stuff, and I just didn't know the magnitude of it, but I knew that I had faith. I knew that my capabilities from the military, from working at the VA, and everything else that I've done in my life, I knew I could walk in that space and I knew it was going to be a challenge.

So once I decided that I was going to be an entrepreneur, I applied for Walmart. Um, and they pick me up online and I was like, really? And so I was able to save my money. I got a small settlement from an accident where I sustain a concussion. So I took all of that money invested in my inventory. So I can keep the price of my games competitively.

And then I was able to send part of it to Walmart. And then December, I fell down the stairs and I've been homebound a little bit since then, but Walmart has been working with me to increase my visibility to help me to learn marketing. I do have a mentor with score that has a. Has experience with retail, they've been working with me and also to help me with marketing.

I applied for a veterans boot camp that I'm going to be attending that. I got selected. And so I think the marketing part for me is going to improve because I am happy to announce that I got my certification. So now I can put my product in the airport, work with a vendor in the airport and other. Things that can happen when your business is vested by the state, and they considered it a solid business.

Um, I just recently signed up with a marketing person that does marketing production because that is where I'm at in my business is trying to get it out to everyone. And so I'm excited. that takes patience. I've been doing a little social media to put it out there as well. Locally i've been trying to do some things but health wise. I wasn't able to do that but I am still trying to do demonstrations like game therapy with veterans to teach them the importance of playing games together really helps their focus, their mental health that has opened doors for me.

Uh, recreation facility want me to do game therapy with their seniors to encourage seniors to interact with kids. So opportunities of promotion of promoting. My games are coming to me as I call it. Organically in a nice, consistent way, and I'm very happy because I'm able to not hurt myself physically. Um, but yes, still keep moving forward with ZoChey.

[00:21:30] Ellington Brown: Absolutely a wonderful story one filled with one success after the other. Very impressive. I know that you have more than one card game. You've created several card games. I want to know, what message does these card games give children? 

[00:21:56] Zorina Pritchett: Oh, that's a good question. I think for me, actually, I have 3. I just finished my 3rd game Face Off the message for me is really the social engagement. I want them matching of the cards because I want them to be simple. I want it to be multi generational where you can have the grandparents, the parents and the kids all socially engaged in a social way. Simple chance style game that has some level of suspense.

And so I look at the colors, uh, matching part of it for color recognition, which is good for kids as well as seniors to be able to recognize colors. And I also found that by doing that special needs kids can play my games. I have the game pass and play, which I did do a demonstration with special needs so they're able to play that game.

Also, with my games, because of the shifting is the being able to adapt, you know, the cards shift to the left, they shift to the right. You have to take cards, give cards, or you pass cards. And when my 3rd game, you're matching faces, you're grabbing points and things of that nature. So it's more of that constant movement that kids are getting with the digital.

And so I'm trying to simulate. That level of suspense, they give them that satisfaction of being able to see moving parts, but yet keep it simple. And I think that's one of the things that grownups that have played my game, especially kids is that think about today. We have to memorize passwords. We got to look around all the time.

And so many things are happening. In our life that stress us. Well, I just wanted a nice pick up game. The parents can sit down unwind with their children as I call my slogan, create giggles and wiggles of fun that you're just enjoying each other. You're mindful of what you're doing with your engagement.

And that's what I want to create for families today. And especially kids. I want their social well be to be to a point where how do we expect them to be in digital devices all the time and then grow up and build communities when they're so used to isolation. So I want parents to realize you also have to be responsible for your children's social engagement.

And that is the main messaging I'm trying to do with my games. 

[00:24:33] Rita Burke: What I'm hearing you say is that your games tap into the social and emotional well being of the children and also families. Am I correct?

[00:24:46] Zorina Pritchett: Yes. I want them to interact and have fun and have that suspense wandering. Who's going to have that last card?

Because as you shift cards, you never keep your original hand. And then with Face Off, I love how people try to change their cards around. So people won't pick the bonus cards because you get points. And it's just really delightful to see grownups enjoy my game, because if they enjoy it as well, then they may take the time and invest in their children to play that game as well.

[00:25:20] Ellington Brown: I lived in a part of Philadelphia that was not very good. In fact, there were a lot of gangs, a lot of young kids got killed, went to a lot of funerals. I see your card games as a way of keeping families close together during the good times and trying times. So what would you tell a family that is dysfunctional ? How would you go about. Introducing one of your card games to them.

[00:25:59] Zorina Pritchett: That's another good question! I think if I came across a family that was dysfunctional. I would ask them 1st of all, I will be honestly ask them. Do you want a functional family? And if they say yes, then I will tell them if you have 10 minutes or less in your busy schedule to invest in your family.

I have a game that I am willing to share with you. That will help you and your family come together. And when you play this game, I want you to relax. And enjoy the smiles, the laughter that you guys are creating as you enjoy this game, because I think some of the things about dysfunctional families, which I, we all experience is that we do not spend enough time.

Invested time, good quality time, not just being in each other's space, but I'm talking about that quality intimate time where we get to know each other and we understand each other and we respect each other and having fun allows you to put your guards down and just enjoy each other with no judgment.

Let the judgment be on you. Lose it. You cheating. You slow! You know, that kind of stuff that we do when we're playing games and having fun, but I also would tell a family that society has a term of dysfunction. Do not speak that word on your family. You speak what you want to see in your family, but you have to do the work.

And sometimes you may find you're the only one, but that does. That's okay. Because if you see the vision, you do the work, you plant seeds , , someone else may come along and water it and make it on solid ground and you see the results.

[00:27:54] Rita Burke: Songs like fun and, and games on SpeakUP! International, we seek to inform, to inspire and to educate through the stories of our guests.

And today we are speaking with Miss Zarina Pritchett, who is currently in Maryland. And my next question to you is, what would you say is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given? What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given? 

[00:28:29] Zorina Pritchett: The best piece of advice that I've ever been given is celebrate my win and give myself grace.

I didn't know how to do that because I've always lived a life where I wanted to be successful. I wanted to make my mom proud of me and everything. I wanted to elevate myself beyond our family circumstances economically. And so I was always hard on myself thinking. I'm not doing enough. I'm not doing enough.

And so, even with the success that I've had in my personal life, like, I remember years ago, and this is for someone who wants to go to college. I was a good student, but for some reason I didn't do well on the ACT and on the SAT and so my counselor told me because I didn't do well. Maybe you shouldn't think about going to college.

Well, let me tell you something. I did go to college and I did stop briefly got married, went into the military. But that stayed with me that motivation of telling me, maybe I shouldn't was my motivation because I did go back to college and I am happy to tell you, I graduated cum laude and so there are other things in my life where people say, you can't do anything.

And so, even now, recently, I just finished my 1st. children's book, Fancy Teardrops. I'm gonna be, um, bringing that out next year. And I say that because I want that to motivate you. Never give up on yourself. And that's what I didn't do. But again, there has to be balance with your motivation. You can't be so driven that you, it's just, it's not enough.

And so it got to a point where I didn't know how to celebrate my success. If you were to tell me, oh my God, starting a business, you created three games, you got your certifications, you're dropping a book, you're doing wonderful. It sound like, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. When I really should be saying go girl, black girl magic.

But I didn't hear that. I hear got to do more until now I'm celebrating my way. I'm saying, wow. You did that you go, girl, you want to make an impact. And so I'm happy about that. And then giving myself grace. That is so important when we make mistakes. We learn from them, but you don't have to keep focusing on them and make it seem like every mistake you make is like, you build in a mold that you're a failure.

And so I learned to give myself grace and saying, okay. I made a mistake. What lessons are my learning? How do I move forward and then put it behind me. And so those are the two things that have changed the trajectory of how I see life and how I am navigating in this entrepreneurial space. I'm going to celebrate my wins.

And I'm going to celebrate your wins. I'm going to give myself grace and I'm going to encourage you to have grace. And so together working in tandem, I just feel like we can have a better life of enjoying each other.

[00:31:46] Ellington Brown: Sounds like you've created a wonderful world! 

 If everyone takes on your suggestion in life, it would be a better place.

[00:31:58] Zorina Pritchett: It's not a better world. I think what it is is that I'm a disabled veteran. I have multiple disabilities and it's every day. I'm faced with pain, but despite my pain, I still have the responsibility of my brother. And then I signed on for this entrepreneurial space, because I believe in what I'm doing and helping children.

And if you think about it, it does. me no good to wander into the pain and woe me and woe this, but it gives me joy to lift myself up as much as I can and see the work that I'm bringing into this world and that I have something good inside of me and I have the willingness to share it. And that's what gives me joy.

That is what gets me out of bed, that there's things greater than me. And when you think greater than yourself. I guess it is a beautiful world and your world is beautiful.

[00:32:55] Ellington Brown: What do you do outside of all of these things that you have up in the air? What do you do for Zorina? Just for Zorina?

[00:33:05] Zorina Pritchett: Well, before my injury, I used to go dancing. Um, and then for me right now, it's really helping veterans because that gives me joy. Um, I haven't been able to be much mobile because I need a total knee replacement and I am scheduled for that November the 11th, but I do try to get out with my brother, take him out.

I do go out to, um, dinner sometimes with my companion and sometimes I just go binge on Netflix. They should pay me right now. Because it allows me to escape and it motivates me because every time I bench, I'm like, wow, look at them. They're fulfilling their dreams. You can do this. You got to put the time in when you can.

And then sometimes I like to just be quiet, Elliot, and let the universe or let God see me. Speak to my spirit and let me know what areas of direction that I need to go for growth or to motivate me or just to enjoy the outdoors. I love listening to trees when they, I like looking at trees when they sway, I feel like they're dancing.

I love hearing the birds chirping is like music to my ears. I know I sound a little quirky, but I am, but it's okay. People are needed in the world. And so that's what I do. But when I get better, I do like to travel. I want to go back to traveling. I want to do some other volunteer work when I can, because those are the things that motivate me when I'm helping others.

I just love it. I just love helping others and I love that when you come across the ones that appreciate what you do. And you know that you're making a difference in their life, and they're so grateful. It makes you feel good. It just makes you feel good. And I like that high. I just love that high. 

[00:35:03] Rita Burke: I like how you said, it sounds quirky. Quirky is okay. I have no, I have no difficulty with it, providing you're not infringing anybody's rights, and you're not committing any crimes. Quirky is not a bad thing to do. Now, a little bird told me, Zorina , that you were once a Toastmaster. 

[00:35:27] Zorina Pritchett: Yeah. 

[00:35:28] Rita Burke: Talk to us about that. 

[00:35:31] Zorina Pritchett: Toastmasters! Well, I joined Toastmasters when I was at the VA because when I was growing up in elementary school, I used to have to go to speech classes because there's certain words that I just have a hard time pronouncing.

And so, going to Toastmasters, I really like it because it not only helps you to speak, but you have the camaraderie, the support, they really help you to deliver in a way that you're comfortable with, but also be aware of the mechanics. Like, you want to be aware of saying too many and stuff like, which are just.

Fillers, but you want to be able to present yourself with that vocal variety. And so being a part of Toastmasters, it also taught me leadership because not only did I learn how to give speeches, but I also was an Area Governor. I worked myself up into some leadership where I had a group of Toastmaster clubs that I had to oversee and make sure their development.

So if you're struggling with speaking and you want to improve that area that you deem as a weakness or you wanna capitalize on that gift that you have, you should join Toastmasters. They should be paying me for that. Right. But yeah, 

[00:36:46] Rita Burke: We'll see if we can get to some funds for that plug for Toastmasters.

But it's a great opportunity because that Toastmasters also prepared me to get into doing acting at my agency. I will write scripts and put on plays portraying Oprah. I did two plays where I portray Oprah where she had the dead famous black people coming to visit her show, and then I had a show where Oprah went back to their time and did interviews. So it just opened so many doors for me. for having me. And I think even with the Toastmaster experience, I think that's why I'm so comfortable with the podcasting or getting in front of the audience because I learned this and also my background with the VA was training. When you do not make it about you and it's about them, you've done your job.

[00:37:39] Ellington Brown: Wow! I wish that a lot of Toastmasters heard your testimonial. For the lack of a better word, I'm sure they would be quite inspired by it! 

[00:37:50] Zorina Pritchett: My Toastmaster quote, communicating with ease is being at ease with communication. 

[00:37:58] Ellington Brown: Ooh. Well, 

[00:38:00] Zorina Pritchett: I post that. I don't know how you can post it, but that is something I tell people.

[00:38:05] Ellington Brown: It is definitely a loaded, collection of words. I will give you that. Zorina where do you see yourself five years from now? What is it that you want to do 5 years from now? 

[00:38:18] Zorina Pritchett: Well, five years from now, I hope that ZoChey has expanded because what I'd like to be doing in five years, I'd like to have invested in a, recreational type facility where children, marginalized children can go and have fun that we can be, but that it could be in a Afro centric environment, meaning our music, our culture, things all black.

To be honest, where they can feel good about their heritage, their ancestry. I also would like ZoChey to recruit other entities to join me in having a family conferences for our marginalized family to provide them the tools and resources to help build families to understand how families work and particularly, like, the question about someone having a dysfunctional family, if we can give them the tools to help them the resources that maybe we can overcome so many dysfunctional type families I also hope that

ZoChey will grow to where I can have my own manufacturing warehouse where I create them in large span and create jobs and opportunities and give scholarships and encourage other children of colour to enter the game industry because we represent less than 5% Yet we spend so much money in the game industry for entertainment. And so those are just some of the things that I hope that I find myself in position to do before I'm able to turn it over to some young person that I hope that can take over ZoChey and expand her. To other areas that will, um, help the community. And that's why I came up with the name . ZoChey because I wanted it to be a name that it can go on clothing, a backpack, a bill that it could go wherever the imagination and the resources can take you.

[00:40:22] Rita Burke: So, Miss Zorina offer our audience three gems you want to take away from our little conversation today. Please 

[00:40:34] Zorina Pritchett: Three gems. One I think is do not give up on yourself. I didn't give up on myself. I'm 60. I'm going to an industry that doesn't look like me, but I'm here with you telling you about it. So don't give up on yourself. Two.

It's so important that we understand the, the importance of managing our finances effectively. I was homeless one time, so I know what that feels like, but I also know what it feels like to have your finances in order and the opportunities that it brings to you. Whether it's buying a home or going to school or purchasing a car is so important that you get your finances together and three. I think it's so important that we give ourselves grace. We don't have to be perfect in this world and we shouldn't let other noise. Tell us what we cannot accomplish what we cannot do. We don't need to listen to the chatter. Tell us what we used to be the only chatter. You should listen to is seeing that you are worthy of any success that comes your way, but it may cost you some time.

It may cost you patience. It may cost you resilience, courage, and standing alone, but I'm here to tell you when you look in that mirror, say to yourself, you are worthy. 

[00:42:08] Rita Burke: Say to yourself, I like being me. Yes. 

[00:42:15] Ellington Brown: So when you look in the mirror, what do you say? 

[00:42:19] Zorina Pritchett: Actually, when I look in the mirror, because that was a struggle for me, as I told you, I was so hard on me thinking it's not enough.

Now, when I look at myself, I say, girl, you are doing what God has called you to do. At this time, and you are doing it to the best of your ability, so just stay focused because God's going to let you grow and expand and he needs you to show up and you can do it. That's what I tell myself because I believe it.

I truly believe it and I'm ready for it. I'm nervous. I am nervous because things have moved in such a positive way that I would have never thought. I mean, I just started in 23 and to have God bless me to get on the platform of online and Walmart and to get my business certifications that can open up opportunities.

He has something in store for me because he knows my heart. I want to create opportunities for other people. And to do that, I have to stay focused and find ways to be mindful of what I do. And manage my pain and balance my responsibility with my brother and continue to grow. And that is what I'm willing to do at this juncture in my life.

Now, I could be on the beach in a two piece bathing suit, but that's not what he called me to do right now!

[00:43:48] Ellington Brown: Okay, so he doesn't want you to be on on the beach. Enjoy yourself. Showing your blackness because, you know, the sun, it gives us that glow 

[00:44:02] Zorina Pritchett: On the beach, walking with a limp. No, when I walk on the beach, I'm gonna be strolling with confidence, you know. 

[00:44:10] Ellington Brown: Yeah, I wonder if you have ever thought about taking your. position what you've learned so far and maybe doing something that you think right now is crazy. Have you had any thoughts like that where you had something that came in your mind? You went, Oh, no, that's, that's way, way too far out of my pay grade!

[00:44:41] Zorina Pritchett: Uh, not really. I don't think of something that I want to do, and I just haven't thought about how to do it. And I don't even know if it was if it's, um, really marketable, but something that I really want to do is I really want to work with plus size kits. I really do I have this idea of working with them where we can help them to develop positive self image about themselves and, you know, how to take care of themselves and and create such a safe space where they can open up and share the things that bother them.

And I just don't, I haven't figured out how to do that, but that's something that I really want to do, because I know how it is to do that. To struggle with your self esteem and thinking that you're not good enough and with the climate of bullying and things of that nature, that population, I would love to work.

And so I'm going to continue to say, you know, what? That might be out of reach a little bit, but I might go ahead, Elton and go to the mall. Give me a little table, give my little survey book and ask parents. Are they willing to have a facility after school facility? Because I feel like God has equipped me also to be in that space.

You know, I have the vision of it, but a lot of times you guys, it's about patience and timing, but I can still do the research. So, when the timing is right, I'm ready to roll because I got the resources. I know where I want to go with it. And so that is something right now that I don't have the resources to really try to put it in play.

And then something that is really far fetched. I always had this desire. I really have. I've always had this desire that I wanted to build a suburb for low income people where they can own little homes, you know, like, uh, 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, you know, a little carport, a garage, and it's like, in a circle and all the streets are named after famous black people.

And in the middle of the subdivision, they have a little convenience store, and then there's a daycare. And, um, I've had that dream. I don't want to get emotional, but I've had that dream since I was in my 20s. And it would be wonderful that either god can birth that through me, or I partnered where ZoChey gets enough resources to partner with someone that also has that vision of providing them home ownership. That will be a wonderful accomplishment!

[00:47:27] Rita Burke: I totally agree. That would be a wonderful accomplishment. And so, you know, I believe very firmly, and I'm sure you could attest to this, based on the fact that you have ZoChey already, that dreaming is just the beginning. To dream is just the beginning. When you've established and you know what your, what your why is, then it's strictly onward and upward. So never stop that dream and look at, look for opportunities to actualize it. That's all I would say about that. You're right. You're right, Rita! 

[00:48:07] Ellington Brown: I have one, one more question. And that is about these wonderful games that you created. Have you heard from families? Who have taken these games home and played with, you know, with the kids their response.

[00:48:25] Zorina Pritchett: Yes, I have had some people that have purchased the game on Walmart. They left a few reviews. In fact, that's the only thing that's lowering my score. I have a 90 percentile, but when it comes to reviews, I'm in the 70. In order to get more reviews on why would I have to pay to do that. And I'm just not at the resources to do that.

But I also have had people locally told me they like the game. And like I said, the other day, I play with two of the directors at a facility and they bought the game. Matter of fact, the director like my new game. So much he said, can I buy it? Well, it's not quite on the market yet. Yeah. You know, and I know it.

That is something that I desire that, um, and I pray about that God touch their hearts, that they will come back and, um, give the reviews. But I'm not walking by sight. I know it doesn't sound great as a business person. Um, this whole thing has been a faith walk for me, Elton. And I think God is doing it on purpose because a lot of times when we walk by side, we rely on our own being.

And I'm in a space that I didn't know anything about. What I had was the passion and the will to do and the creative mind to make it come to fruition. And so right now, I'm relying on God to help me. Uh, to connect with the right people to make those things happen for me, and he's doing it in such an organic way that I know he's in this.

I know he called me for this purpose. And I'm very happy that even though I don't have the reviews to come back, like, they should, but I will tell your audience this, the Walmart representative told me that, although they haven't circled back, they haven't returned your game either. So, that is that's something to cheer about.

No, 1 has returned my game and they've been buying it in different states here in America. And so I'm good. I used to look at that and get a little discouraged, but now I do not. Because I'm like, what Rita said, I see it, I'm putting it in action and I'm visualizing and I think God has just given me the voice to promote it out there myself and stuff.

And because when I show the people that, for some reason, they like, and they tend to buy, because when you meet your customer. They want that solution. 

[00:50:54] Ellington Brown: Zorina, this has been a wonderful conversation. This has been well worth the wait, I'm going to say, and just talking about, you know, that significant change that happened to you in January of 2020, and then later on.

Uh, you were able to retire and then all of these other things just started happening along with the fact that you're, uh, taking care of your brother where you create your first card game. And then there were several other card games that created, then the, your business just blossoms. You were able to make that wonderful connection with Walmart, which is a huge company.

Let's not underestimate the power of, of Walmart and how you as an entrepreneur, the things that you do to make your life happy, just things just for, uh, Zorina. And now with your upcoming children's book, um, just about ready to hit the door. Who knows what God has in store for you?

And with that, I want to thank you so much for your time, and please, when you decide to release your children's book, give us a holler. We would love to have another conversation with you, talk to you about your book, what's in there.

[00:52:33] Zorina Pritchett: I would love to do that! 

[00:52:35] Ellington Brown: I'm assuming that the children in the book look like us.

[00:52:39] Zorina Pritchett: They do! My, um, granddaughter inspired me, but I do like for you to let the listeners know where they can purchase the game. 

[00:52:48] Ellington Brown: Go right ahead, ma'am. 

[00:52:50] Zorina Pritchett: The game is online at Walmart, but I would like for you to visit my website. So, G. Z. O. C. C. H. E. Y. dot com because once you visit the website and read my story and see the images of the game, there's a buy now button that will take you directly to Walmart.

But I would love for you to get to know me and if you see what I'm trying to do and understand it, then you can go on to Walmart or tell someone else that, you know, that could benefit from the product that I'm trying to promote out there. 

[00:53:26] Ellington Brown: Thank you. , we are , so happy to have met you and had an opportunity to talk to you.

And Rita, do you have anything that you want to say before saying goodbye? 

[00:53:39] Rita Burke: Yes, I just want to thank Zorina for pouring that volume, that breath, that depth of knowledge and wisdom and compassion and empathy into us today. We also, I believe, have received from you and I appreciate that. Thank you much!

[00:54:00] Zorina Pritchett: Thank you! 

[00:54:07] Ellington Brown: Thank you for listening to speak up. Exclamation point international. If you wish to contact Ms. Zorina Pritchett, please be prepared to submit your name, your email address and the reason why you wish to contact Ms. Zorina Pritchett at www.ZoChey.com. That's spelled www.Z O C H E Y.com. Ms. Zorina Pritchett has other social media accounts you can use to contact her that will be listed in the description section on Spotify and other social media platforms. 

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