The quiet whisper of bedtime stories echoing in dimly-lit rooms, followed by a hush and the gentle lull of sleep, is a long-honored evening ritual for families around the world. Many parents have said these moments form the cradle of their most-cherished memories. But for Ashin Shaw and his wife, Sahar Abdizadeh, it was much more than just a ritual—it was the birthplace of a mission.

With his background in product management and world travel, Afshin felt a universal resonance during these intimate moments. He often remarked to Sahar, the family’s maestra of human-computer interaction design, that bedtime was his favorite time of the day—a sentiment shared remarkably by nearly 90% of US parents.

Both hailed an intricate tapestry of cultures, from the rich traditions of Iran to the bustling urbanity of Dubai and the diverse landscapes of the United States. Afshin and Sahar’s globe-trotting journeys, combined with their unique professional backgrounds, created a unique perspective. Yet, it was their most-treasured roles as parents that awaked their vision.

It was one evening, after diving into yet another bedtime ritual with their two young sons, that a new realization dawned. Their boys’ beloved bedtime stories, meant to foster growth and shape young minds, often lacked depth in over crucial area…social-emotional development (or SEL). It wasn’t merely Afshin and Sahar’s observation. They learned that fellow parents, teachers, and therapists also felt the void.

Compelled by their personal experiences, enriched by their diverse backgrounds, and fueled by the genuine need in the world around them, their vision was clear. Afshin and Sahar embarked on a journey to weave SEL into children’s stories, with the hope of nurturing the hearts and minds of the next generation, perhaps even generations to come.

Thus, Zoy was born, as not just a company, but a promise—a commitment to harness the magic of storytelling to foster emotional intelligence in every child, everywhere.