I never thought I’d say it. “I give up.”
Not because I lack strength. Not because I don’t care. But because sometimes, the weight of chronic pain and the pressure to keep a business afloat becomes too much to carry alone.
I live with chronic back problems—an invisible anchor that drags behind every effort, every plan, every hope. It’s not just physical. It’s emotional. It’s financial. It’s the quiet grief of watching your own momentum stall while the world keeps spinning.
And yet, I’ve tried. My family and friends have tried. They’ve stepped in, offered help, held space, and tried to keep EJADA alive in ways that only love can. But even love has limits when the body refuses to cooperate.
I’ve learned something in this season: I can’t get angry at people who don’t know me. They don’t see the pain. They don’t feel the hours lost to immobility. They don’t understand the rituals behind every product, the symbolic weight behind every caption, the boundaries I fiercely protect. And that’s okay. Not everyone is meant to understand.
But those who do—those who’ve stood beside me, who’ve tried to help me hold the line—know that this isn’t surrender. It’s recalibration. It’s the moment before the next iteration. It’s the pause that precedes the pivot.
So yes, I said it. I give up. But only on the version of the story that demanded I keep pushing through pain without pause. What comes next will be different. It will be slower, maybe smaller, but it will be real. And it will be mine.
—Brinder Curator, EJADA Specialty Merchandise
I’m Brinder, a visionary curator and founder of EJADA Specialty Merchandise, ZAREL, and BJG DESIGNS. My entrepreneurial journey began in March 1996, starting with catalog sales and evolving into dropshipping, e-commerce, and creative direction. Through every chapter—whether facing health challenges, competing against larger companies, or refining my craft—I’ve carried forward the wisdom my father shared before he passed: “Everything is just a dream away.”
✨ EJADA Specialty Merchandise
Founded in honor of my father, EJADA represents resilience and legacy. It’s a testament to never giving up, even when life placed obstacles in my path.
🌱 ZAREL
ZAREL continues that legacy with renewal and growth. It embodies creativity, fair pricing, and quality products designed to stand out in a world of mass production. ZAREL is proof that persistence and vision can transform challenges into opportunities.
🎨 BJG DESIGNS
BJG DESIGNS is the creative force behind bold typography, motivational one-liners, and signature motifs. Available on t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, color-changing mugs, accent mugs, hats, and cinch backpacks, BJG DESIGNS gives customers a wide choice of selection while staying true to uniqueness and style.
💡 My Philosophy
I believe in quality, uniqueness, and fair pricing. I believe in building products that carry meaning. Most importantly, I believe with Family and Friend Support, this year could be the turning point—a year where resilience becomes renewal, and where every dream moves closer to reality.
Together, EJADA, ZAREL, and BJG DESIGNS show that with resilience, vision, and community, everything truly is just a dream away
ZAREL 