take a peek behind the scenes of everything that makes Zestful...Zestful.
Meet the Maker: The Story Behind Zestful Productions
Zestful Productions began with a mash-up name, a buttery book, and a whole lot of bold ideas. Meet Rayna Jo Zest—the creative force behind the brand—and discover how a North Dakota storyteller turned her love for design, motherhood, and big personality into a playful, purpose-filled business.
Why I’m Wearing Butter This Fall — And You Should Too
Forget boring basics — this sweatshirt is salty, cozy, and weirdly fabulous. The Salted Butter Crewneck isn’t just a statement piece, it’s a whole mood. Soft enough for couch naps, bold enough to make strangers smile, and perfectly giftable for your fellow foodie or brunch bestie. Spoiler alert: people will stop you to ask about it. And yes, it’s worth it. Tap in for all the buttery details!
Approved by Mom: Grief, Growth, and the Zestful Rebrand
In the quiet moments of caregiving and creative bursts beside her mother’s recliner, Rayna Jo Zest reshaped her vision of Zestful Productions. This post is a raw, joyful, and fiercely heartfelt reflection on grief, legacy, and the rebrand that’s anything but business as usual — it’s personal, it’s bold, and yes, it’s 100% approved by Mom.
Beast Mode: Engaged.
You ever black out from working so hard and wake up with 58 new listings, 5 fresh shop collections, and a homepage that slaps? Yeah, same. Zestful HQ has been buzzin’ — and this glow-up wasn’t for the weak. We’re talkin' late nights, bold moves, and zero chill. Wanna see what 17-hour days and a bucket of iced coffee birthed? Get the full scoop and peep what’s poppin’ on the new site. Spoiler: it’s bold, playful, and extra as hell.
Good, Better, Best: Picking the Perfect Tee
You deserve a shirt that works as hard as you do — and not one that clings in weird places or fades after one wash. In this post, we’re spilling the (fabric) tea on picking the right tee. From soft favorites to tees that hold their own during your fourth iced coffee run of the day, we break down what’s good, what’s better, and what’s straight-up Zestful approved. Ready to upgrade your closet game?
Imposter Syndrome and Me: Why I Keep Waiting for Someone to Call Me Out
Still waiting for someone to bust through the wall like the Kool-Aid man and shout, “You don’t belong here”? Yeah, same. 🙃 But guess what? Imposter syndrome is a liar in knockoff heels. This post is a heart-to-heart about building a business, owning your creativity, and shutting down that voice that says you're just "winging it." Spoiler: most of us are.
The Launch of the Varsity Collection 🎉
Step onto the sidelines of nostalgia with me as I share the journey from my Mandan Braves cheerleading days to launching the vibrant Varsity Collection at Zestful Productions. Designed with pride in mind, this spirited line of custom senior swag and fan merch celebrates tradition, creativity, and a whole lot of fun. With standout items like our heat-triggered color-morphing mug featuring school song lyrics and bold senior designs, this collection is all about making memories and showing off your school pride in style.
👉 Ready to rep your school spirit?
Soup, Copycats, and the Fast-Track to Oliver’s Next Paperback Edition
You won’t believe what just happened. Picture this: I’m cozied up with a bowl of knoepla soup, chatting with a friend, when they casually mention spotting a book on Amazon with a character eerily similar to Oliver the Owl. Naturally, I had to investigate. Lo and behold, there it was—an enchanted-world-living, owlish-looking character that made me do a double take. Will the real Oliver please stand up?! I don’t know whether to laugh or grab a cookie for emotional support. One thing’s for sure: this little detour has lit a fire under my feathers. The real Oliver is ready to shine, and trust me, you won’t want to miss his next adventure!
The Wait is Over: Branded Oliver Merch Has Landed!
That’s right, our favorite culinary cutie is no longer just a storybook star—he’s strutting into your closet, kitchen, and cart like the feathered icon he is. Whether you’re a longtime Oliver groupie or a curious newbie just here for the cookies, this collection is bold, whimsical, and oh-so-Zestful. You've waited. You’ve wondered. Now it’s time to click add to cart and let your inner owl shine.
The Heart of the Holidays: Family, Love, and a Year to Remember
This year has been a gift in so many ways, from turning a wild creative dream into the Oliver the Owl series to sharing my parents’ legacy with you. But as the holidays approach, my focus has shifted to something even more precious—creating meaningful memories with my mom, who has always been the heart of our family’s Christmas magic. This season, every day feels like a new chapter in a bittersweet story, filled with love, gratitude, and the quiet strength of family.
Merch, Dreams, and a Dash of Zest: What’s Cooking at Zestful Productions?
It started with a friend’s dream about my brand in a big box store—and now, Zestful Productions is turning dreams into reality with foodie-inspired merch! New whimsical designs are added daily to my Etsy shop, so be sure to bookmark it, give it a heart ❤️, and check back often. The fun is just getting started!
Publishing & Profits: Spoiler, It’s More Passion Than Payday
Oliver the Owl was never about making millions—unless we’re talking about millions of memories. For every book sold, I make about $4.19 (yep, enough for a coffee without the fancy extras). But what really keeps me going is hearing from families who’ve bonded over my stories or kids who’ve tried their hand at the recipes. I’m building more than just books—I’m creating a legacy for my kids and a community of little chefs who see cooking as an adventure.
My Childhood Dining Room: Where Chaos, Cookies, and Memories Were Made
Let me set the scene: holiday meals at my house were like something out of a movie—except with way more food and way less table space. We didn’t just host big family gatherings, we hosted epic ones. Picture this: my mom in full culinary command, whipping up trays of 'pigs in a blanket' (the real kind, with cabbage, not hot dogs), while I tried—and failed—not to spoil my appetite with peanut brittle and glass candy. Add in a few jokes from my older siblings, a card game with Grandma (who always won), and a Christmas tree that never left the room (yep, year-round), and you’ve got yourself a holiday.
Zestful Productions: Branding Magic Meets Creative Swag (and Some Serious Team Love💗)
At Zestful Productions, we believe branding is more than just logos, social media content or advertising—it’s about creating experiences that stick. Whether it's high-quality branded merchandise, creative onboarding kits for your team, or standout promotional items for your next big event, we've got the full toolkit to make your brand unforgettable. With our branding and promotional consulting services, we’re blending creativity with strategy to help your business grow. Let’s build something magical together!
Hey Retailers! Ready to Bring Some Holiday Magic to Your Shop? 🦉🎄
Looking to add some extra holiday magic to your shop this season? 🦉✨ Meet Oliver the Owl—the star of heartwarming stories, family-friendly recipes, and crafty fun! Whether it's stocking a few copies or offering a unique gift, our flexible partnership levels make it easy to bring Oliver's charm to your shelves. Ready to join the fun? Let's chat and make this season unforgettable—one book at a time! 🎁
Behind the Story: How Oliver the Owl Became a Culinary Pro
Did I ever imagine creating a children’s book series about a chef-owl? Not exactly. But when life leads you through restaurant kitchens, childhood memories, and creative chaos with four kids, the pieces start falling into place! Inspired by my dad, the real "culinary pro," and my own food-filled adventures, Oliver the Owl was born. From leftover borscht to spaghetti tacos (don’t ask!), it’s all about mixing fun with family and bringing young readers into the magic of cooking.
DIY Marketing Magic: How I Turned a Vinyl Banner into a Sandwich Board in My Dining Room
Who needs expensive marketing when you’ve got a bit of creativity and a Saturday night free? When my book launch banner outlived its retail life, I knew I had to get crafty. Armed with a power drill, some paint, and a lot of determination, I turned my dining room into a DIY workshop and transformed that banner into a one-of-a-kind sandwich board sign. Spoiler alert: it’s big, bold, and totally eye-catching at events!
Here’s to bold birthdays, big dreams, and the unexpected magic in between.
Today, I’m celebrating two BIG milestones—400 books sold and my birthday! 🎂🎉 What started as a fun conversation after my 50th birthday photoshoot has turned into an incredible journey with Oliver the Owl flying into homes everywhere. And I couldn’t have done it without you!
To say thank you, I’m giving YOU a gift! For a limited time, enjoy a FREE digital download of Oliver the Owl: A Sweet Season Read-Along Book! Just use code 13NL6B8 at checkout. 🦉💛
From Dream to Reality: My Journey to Becoming a Children’s Author
I didn’t always dream of becoming an author, but turning 50 had a funny way of sparking new ideas. It all started with a puffy tulle skirt, a crown, and a photo shoot. As my mom and I reviewed the pictures, the photographer said, “You should write a book!” And just like that, a seed was planted. Fast forward two years, and I was knee-deep in rhymes and children’s stories, trying to figure out how to bring Oliver the Owl to life. It wasn’t easy—there were plenty of challenges and moments of doubt—but turning that dream into a reality has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.