About StoryBloom Creations Team
Kersti Frigell is a distinguished creative professional with an illustrious career spanning over 40 years. She is a multifaceted artist, fashion designer, and the visionary mind behind captivating children's educational concepts. Throughout her career, Kersti's dedication to fostering a deeper connection between children and nature has been at the forefront of her work.
As the President/CEO of Kersti Frigell & Associates, LLC, a role she has held for nearly two decades, Kersti has been a driving force in the realm of educational entertainment for children. Her company specializes in crafting engaging and informative concepts that enlighten young minds about the wonders of nature, our environment, and crucial social issues. This commitment to education and entertainment has been a hallmark of her career.
Kersti's latest intellectual property concept, "The Gallavants," is a testament to her unwavering passion for connecting children with the natural world. This fully developed project is poised for launch and promises to be a game-changer in the realm of children's education. "The Gallavants" offers a holistic approach to nature education, emphasizing that we are an integral part of Mother Nature, not separate from her. This philosophy underscores the importance of nurturing this connection for the well-being of humanity and the preservation of our beloved Mother Earth.
In addition to her impressive professional achievements, Kersti Frigell is also a loving grandmother of three and a devoted mother of two daughters. Her personal life is enriched by the presence of her family, and her passion for children's illustration and books extends beyond her career. It's a part of who she is, and it resonates in her dedication to creating content that enriches the lives of young readers and learners.
Before founding her current company, Kersti was the founder of Swede'Art, Inc., where she illustrated children's books for both trade and educational markets, collaborating with esteemed publishers such as SRA, McGraw-Hill, and Steck-Vaughn. Her artistic talents also extended to mass-market publishing, where she contributed her creative skills to a wide range of genres, including cookbooks, romance novels, mystery, non-fiction, and fiction, working with publishers like Berkley.
Kersti's journey as a creative visionary took her to New York City, where she co-founded Gallavants, Inc., serving as its Creative Director and Production Designer. Here, she played a pivotal role in the creation of the animated movie "The Gallavants," co-produced by Marvel Productions. She also ventured into character licensing and co-authored a series of Gallavant's books, with over 300,000 copies sold—a testament to her ability to captivate young audiences.
Before her New York endeavors, Kersti was the Founding President of S-O-L Fashion Designs, where she made a mark in high-end ready-to-wear fashion under the "Shasti" label. Her designs graced the shelves of exclusive boutiques, Bergdorf Goodman, and were cherished by private clients.
Throughout her illustrious career, Kersti Frigell has continued to evolve as an artist and advocate for children's education. Her work not only reflects her immense talent but also her genuine commitment to nurturing young minds and fostering a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature.
In a heartwarming collaboration that blends creativity and family bonds, Kersti Frigell has joined forces with her daughter, Alexandra Sawyer, the founder of StoryBloom Creations, a prominent children's book publishing company. Together, they have embarked on an exciting journey to bring Kersti's four decades of remarkable book creations and illustrations to life. Alexandra's passion for children's literature and her entrepreneurial spirit perfectly complement Kersti's artistic genius. With StoryBloom Creations, they aim to share Kersti's enchanting stories and captivating illustrations with a new generation of young readers. This partnership not only celebrates the legacy of a talented artist but also highlights the power of family connections in the world of children's literature. Together, they are weaving a tapestry of creativity and imagination that will continue to inspire and delight children for generations to come.
Kersti Frigell
Alexandra “Zan” Sawyer
Alexandra "Zan" Sawyer is a seasoned entrepreneur, creative strategist, and visionary leader with a rich and diverse career spanning over three decades. Her expertise encompasses a wide array of fields, including design, website development, product innovation, and mobile app design. Zan's entrepreneurial spirit and innovative mindset have driven her to excel in various startups, where she has donned multiple roles and steered teams towards surpassing ambitious business objectives.
One of Zan's notable achievements is her role as the President of Zan Design, Inc., a thriving organization specializing in custom website design and mobile application prototyping. For the past nine years, she has been at the helm, providing businesses across the United States with innovative web design solutions. Zan Design, Inc. is renowned for its proficiency in crafting WordPress websites using the Divi Theme Builder, delivering captivating and brand-aligned online experiences.
Throughout her illustrious career, Zan has worn many hats, including roles in operations, international manufacturing, IT, sales, marketing, product development, product design, website design, inventory management, product licensing, packaging design, and mobile app design. Her extensive industry experience also extends to consumer products, RSS advertising, content distribution, data acquisition, customer retention, ad-insertion, consumer goods, trends, location-based monetization, and location-based social networks.
Beyond her professional achievements, Zan is fueled by her passions, which include hiking in the picturesque landscapes of Boulder, Colorado, global travel, culinary endeavors for her family, and practicing acts of kindness.
In a remarkable entrepreneurial journey, Zan co-founded StoryBloom Creations, LLC, a prominent children's book publishing company. Together with her mother, Kersti Frigell, a renowned illustrator and creator, they have embarked on a creative endeavor to share Kersti's four decades of book creations and illustrations with a new generation of young readers. This heartwarming partnership highlights the power of family connections in the world of children's literature, where creativity and imagination flourish.
Zan's career has also included significant roles such as COO and Co-founder of GeoPalz, where she played a pivotal role in creating ibitz by GeoPalz, the first wireless activity trackers for kids. This innovative device encouraged physical activity and engagement by syncing with an app that rewarded children for their active lifestyles. She has also participated in the Nike+ Accelerator program with Techstars, aimed at fostering digital innovation in the realm of active lifestyles and sports.
As the VP of Global Operations, Marketing, and Sales at Jibbitz, Zan was instrumental in leading the company to success, resulting in its acquisition by Crocs. Her achievements in global operations, international sales, marketing, and licensing were integral to the company's growth and eventual merger.
Throughout her career, Zan has consistently demonstrated her ability to identify opportunities, innovate, and lead teams to achieve exceptional results. Her dedication to creating a balance between media consumption and physical activity aligns with her mission to promote healthier lives for children and families. Zan's journey is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and commitment to making a positive impact in the world.
Ina Lewis
Ina Lewis has been creating since she was a teenager and specifically, began in the field of music. She was a concert pianist, then sang in musical theatre and opera (which she also coached) and eventually, after moving to southern California with her two children, started a business she called, “Incidentally, it’s Ina”.
In this unique concept, Ina took the biographical data about a person who was to be honored at a celebration and wrote original music and lyrics about them which she performed exclusively, at private parties all over the United States and Canada. At last count, over 500 people were the recipients of her “musical tributes."
In the meantime, Ina has become a storyteller, and delights youngsters all over the city of Los Angeles with her animated versions of popular children’s books. Now, writing her own stories, Ina is excited to continue entertaining children of all ages with her charming rhymes.