Elevate Your Brand with Zestful Productions

Creativity Gets Personal

Zestful Productions — Bold, Playful & Extra. Whether you're here for the books, the designs, or the creative services—welcome. You’re in the right place.

I’m Sonja Yantzer, Founder and Owner of Zestful Productions — and around here, you’ll also get to know me as Rayna Jo Zest, my creative pen name. It’s a mash-up of my real name, but more than that, it captures the vibrant energy I bring to everything I create. Rayna means “queen,” and she’s the playful, passionate spirit behind this whole operation.

I was raised in the wide-open spaces of North Dakota where creativity, community, and good old-fashioned hustle ran deep in my family. As a storyteller, mother of four, and lifelong dreamer, I’ve always had a love for blending heart and imagination. Whether it’s books, branding, or big ideas, my work is powered by design skills, marketing smarts, and the lived experience of motherhood and small-town roots.

Here’s how it all began…

In March of 2024, I released my first children’s book, Oliver the Owl: The Culinary Pro, inspired by dad’s 36-year journey running a family restaurant. That book lit a creative fire and gave birth to the persona of Rayna Jo Zest—a voice full of warmth, wit, and whimsy.

Later that year, I released my second book, Oliver the Owl: A Sweet Season, a heartfelt holiday story dedicated to my mom. Just weeks after its completion, we learned of her terminal diagnosis.

While navigating the early days of her illness as her full-time caregiver, I opened my Etsy shop at her kitchen table. Creating became a lifeline—a way to channel my energy, process grief, and honor my parents’ legacy. I began designing products that brought joy, sparked memories, and celebrated the kind of love that lingers long after the kitchen lights go out.

Today, Zestful Productions is a full-blown creative brand. It’s where it all comes to life — children’s books, bold designs, custom services, and content creation, plus a growing collection of vintage and antique treasures. Every piece in the shop carries a little zest, a whole lot of heart and a story worth sharing.

With a background in sales, marketing, and talent acquisition, I bring years of business expertise to the table. I’ve helped brands — from my own real estate season to retail establishments — grow through sharp messaging, intentional strategy, and stand-out design. Locally, I’m known as a creative go-to and marketing consultant.

And that crown you’ll see me wearing? It’s a nod to my confidence, playful spirit and expressive style. Extra? Maybe. But ordinary was never the goal.