We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vernita Griffith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Vernita, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

My husband and I met and married after meeting each other 9 months prior. As you can imagine, even though this was the second marriage for both of us, we really didn’t know each other and quite frankly had not done the work to resolve our past relationships. However, we promised each other that this marriage would last forever. We did not see the train wreck coming but we hit a wall in about year number seven. It became really difficult to think about staying married and because we made that promise to each other, we were not going to give up. It then became my mission to figure out how to stay together and be happy at the same time. He was also interested in doing that so when I suggested counseling, marriage retreats, and workshops, he said yes to all of it. When we got past that time, I enjoyed the not only the process, but the results, we decided to become trained marriage leaders. That’s when the light bulb went off and I realized that we were not the only ones with these challenges. I wanted to share the “good news” with everyone because I knew that there were many couples suffering in silence and putting on the “good face” for the public. As time moved forward, there were many things that happened to let me know that I had found my place and my purpose. We became the marriage ministry leaders at our church, I became the director of a healthy marriage & relationship program at my job, and we were asked to be board members members of Better Marriages, a national organization that provides enrichment opportunities to couples. Over the years I became trained in various marriage and relationship evidence based curricula and was able to create and facilitate a variety of programs for couples. I honed my skills to become a very skilled workshop facilitator and then decided to get a certificate in relationship coaching. I created Tri Team Unlimited LLC to provide workshops, accountability groups, and other resources to help couples with communication, conflict resolution, intimacy, and other challenges. With my coaching certificate, I offer a triage approach where I meet with couples and assess the best strategy for them to move forward. Either attending one of my workshops, counseling or therapy. In that session, I also share a few strategies that they can use right away to better their situation. In facilitating the workshops, I learned that engaging men is typically a challenge. Even the men that attend my workshops are usually dragged and that feedback comes from the wife who dragged them. I noticed that at the end of the workshop, it’s them men that want to pull me aside to thank me, say how much they learned, and how much they enjoyed the session. Of course because of my non-profit background, I always have a feedback form and I noticed that a great deal of the comments include how fun the sessions are. My ah ha was that people take in the information much better if they are having a good time. This led me to my next business idea. Creating a game show for couples that show couples in a positive light, allows people to have fun, and sneak in some positive marriage affirmations. I created “After I Do – The Game Show” in 2018. The first live show was a huge undertaking but a great success. Four couples participate in three different challenges that highlight how much they know or don’t know about each other. They score points with the correct answers and the highest score wins. It is comedy, competition, and a little bit of reality TV sprinkled with positive affirmations. People loved it and I got the fever! I’ve done a number of live shows in the area and had a short season on CW22. I have partnered with a producer and I am now in the process of shooting two shows in Charlotte, NC in preparation to shop to television. Everything I do is to help marriages get stronger so that families grow strong, communities grow strong and we are a happier people.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My journey into the world of relationship coaching and entertainment has been quite the adventure. It all started when my husband and I faced a challenging moment in our own marriage. Despite a promising start, we hit a rough patch around our seventh year together. Determined to make it work, we dove headfirst into counseling, workshops, and retreats, reigniting the spark and strengthening our bond along the way.

This transformative experience inspired me to share our journey and help other couples navigate their own relationship challenges. I delved into marriage coaching, created workshops, and other resources under Tri Team Unlimited LLC. My unique approach lends itself well to virtual and live audiences and engages couples in a way that everyone feel like they are in a room together. Lessons learned led me to create “After I Do – The Game Show,” a unique blend of entertainment and positive relationship affirmation. Through this platform, I aim to make learning about relationships engaging, fun, and accessible to everyone.

At Tri Team Unlimited LLC, we provide workshops, accountability groups, and coaching services tailored to help couples improve communication, resolve conflicts, and deepen intimacy. What sets us apart is our unique approach to relationship coaching, combining evidence-based strategies with engaging and entertaining experiences. I believe that laughter and learning go hand in hand, and the game show is a testament to that philosophy.

I’m incredibly proud of the impact I’ve had on couples’ lives and the positive feedback I’ve received from my participants. Seeing relationships thrive and families grow stronger is what drives me every day. For potential participants and followers, I want them to know that I’m here to support them every step of the way, whether it’s through workshops, coaching, or our entertaining game show. My goal is to help couples build lasting, fulfilling relationships and create a legacy of love that extends far beyond the screen.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

What really helped me establish my reputation within the market is my commitment to transparency and storytelling. I’ve found that people appreciate when I share my own experiences openly during workshops. Whether it’s about overcoming challenges in my own marriage or stories of clients I’ve worked with, this transparency creates a sense of connection and relatability for participants.

In addition to storytelling, I’m known for providing exceptional value and professionalism. I strive to give more than expected in my workshops, ensuring that every activity and discussion has purpose and value. Being punctual and respectful of people’s time is also crucial to me. I make sure to stay on schedule while allowing ample time for participants to engage and share their thoughts.

Overall, I aim to deliver “edutainment” at its best—combining education with entertainment to create a lively, engaging, and educational experience for everyone involved. This commitment to quality and authenticity has helped me build a strong reputation within the market and establish trust with my clients and participants.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Before I met my husband, I was immersed in the world of fashion, owning a sewing school and a small manufacturing company. Sewing was my passion—I loved creating beautiful outfits for myself and my children, turning them into walking advertisements for my talent. My business was thriving, offering sewing classes year-round and taking on manufacturing projects for start-up businesses.

But in 1996, Hurricane Fran struck Raleigh, NC, unexpectedly flooding my shop under seven feet of water. Devastation swept through me as I realized my entire livelihood had been washed away—sewing machines, cutting tables, and a shipment of white terry cloth, all destroyed. With no flood insurance and FEMA offering only loans to businesses, I faced the harsh reality of closing down.

As a single mother, I had to find a way to support my family, but my mind was clouded by depression, and sewing seemed like my only skill to earn a living. Despite my inner turmoil, I put on a facade of normalcy, continuing to bowl on Friday nights as a temporary escape.

Then, in January of the new year, fate intervened. At the bowling alley, I met a man who would later become my husband. Sharing my story with him, he encouraged me to reignite my passion for sewing and start anew. Though initially resistant, his unwavering support eventually led me to take a job as an employment specialist at a small nonprofit, helping women re-enter the workforce.

It was here that I found my calling in guiding and empowering others. Drawing from my expertise in resume writing, interviewing skills, and budget-friendly fashion, I helped women rebuild their confidence and pursue their career aspirations. This role served as a pivotal moment, leading me to transition into the realm of healthy marriage enrichment.

My journey from behind the sewing machine to empowering marriages may seem like an unexpected pivot, but looking back, it feels like a natural progression. My sewing skills, once used to mask my depression, now serve as the foundation of the marriage work that I do today.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TriTeamUnlimited.com and www.AfterIDoTheGameShow.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tri_team_unlimited/ and https://www.instagram.com/afteridothegameshow/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aftertheidosshow/ and https://www.facebook.com/triteamunlimited/
• Linkedin: Vernita Smith Griffith