take a peek behind the scenes of everything that makes Zestful...Zestful.
Meet the Maker: The Story Behind Zestful Productions
Zestful Productions wasn’t built from a business plan — it was fueled by late nights, strong coffee, and a bold “why not?” Meet Rayna Jo Zest, the creative behind the crown, and discover how her books, buttery merch, and vintage treasures grew into a brand that’s unapologetically bold, playful, and extra. 💛
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.
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?
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.
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!
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.
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.