Approved by Mom: Grief, Growth, and the Zestful Rebrand
From Late-Night Sketches to Big Picture Clarity
Let’s just say this: 2025 didn’t come in soft.
In May, I lost my mom. My steady, spunky, brutally honest ride-or-die. And I’ll be real — nothing, absolutely nothing, prepares you for that kind of goodbye. But before that final chapter, I had the immense privilege (and I do mean privilege) of spending her last 8 months by her side — not just as her daughter, but as her caregiver, her late-night popcorn popper, her morning meds reminder — let’s be honest — her personal entertainment.
It was during this time with her that I launched my Etsy shop, too. While she rested in her recliner, I quietly worked beside her — creating new designs, updating my website, publishing my newest book, and brainstorming bold ideas for the future.
She became my unofficial creative director. The one who’d look at a design and say, “That font’s not it.” Every color choice, every silly slogan, every page of Oliver the Owl’s newest activity book? She saw it all first. She cheered me on through every moment and always asked “What did you make today?” I’d show her and her eyes would light up.
“My daughter made that,” she’d bragged to every visitor about Oliver’s new activity book. “I have no idea where she gets this talent from,” she’d say. She was the blueprint. That sass? That heart? That joy in the creative process? Straight from her DNA.
100% Approved by Mom.
50% because she loved it.
50% because she made me promise to stop second-guessing myself.
Legacy looks real good in bold type.
What Happens After
Now, life’s a little quieter… but also louder, if that makes sense. Quieter in the absence of our daily conversations. Louder in the to-do lists, the paperwork, and the weight of figuring out what Zestful is in this next chapter. But here’s the wild part: through it all, I’ve found a weird kind of clarity. The kind that only comes from living wide awake. The kind that whispers (or in my case, shouts), “It’s time to level up, babe.”
So, I’m rebranding. Not just my website or product pages — but how Zestful shows up in the world.
Because those 8 months changed me. My purpose feels sharper. My voice is stronger. My products? Bolder. I want everything I make to carry a piece of my parents — the people who sparked it all.
Oliver the Owl exists because my dad ran the White House Cafeteria and wore his apron like a badge of honor. My creative courage exists because my mom never once told me to play small. Together, they gave me a legacy of grit, grace, and a wicked sense of humor. And I plan to honor the heck out of that.
What’s Next
So what can you expect from here on out?
✔️ Big, brave ideas
✔️ Stories that matter
✔️ Designs with depth
✔️ A whole lotta heart
✔️ And a touch of cheek (because I am their kid, after all)
Whether you’ve been with me since Oliver’s first fruit smoothie or you’re just discovering Zestful now — know this: I’m building something that matters. For them. For me. For you.
Thanks for being part of it.
