collage of zora nova staff members

Our Vision: Zora Nova Agency supports entrepreneurs in realizing their dreams by building their brand story, elevating their online presence to attract audiences, and fostering a community to support and rally around your products or services. You Got This!

Our Mission: Our team mission is to be your go-to business and brand strategist, with a creative designer’s eye and online digital marketing expertise. Our goal is to help your business grow online, create a digital presence, share your brand message, and connect with your clients. We’ll help you navigate today’s complex digital world so you can focus on running your business - We Got You!

WE GOT YOU!

YOU GOT THIS!

Meet Our Team Members

Strategy

Managing Director

Alex Phung

When you work with Zora Nova Design Agency, you work directly with me. I partner with small and local businesses to help them make confident decisions about their website, digital marketing, and online presence. With over two decades of experience across consulting, engineering, and digital services, I bring clarity to complex challenges and help identify what’s working, what’s not, and where to focus time and budget. I understand the realities of running a business, from limited resources to competing priorities, and I help clients build practical digital foundations that support visibility, credibility, and long-term growth. My goal is to make sure your digital presence works for your business, not against it.

  • I’m Alex Phung, founder and principal of Zora Nova Design Agency, a digital marketing and web consulting studio supporting local and community-focused businesses. I grew up in a family culture rooted in respect, humility, and serving others first, values that continue to shape how I show up in my work today. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs and small business owners, I witnessed firsthand the long hours, personal sacrifices, and commitment required to build something meaningful.

    Those early experiences gave me a deep appreciation for small businesses and the people behind them. I saw the pride that comes with ownership alongside the pressure of making payroll, managing growth, and wearing multiple hats. That perspective continues to guide my work and fuels my desire to support business owners who are building something of their own.

    Today, I work closely with small businesses, nonprofits, and local organizations to help them navigate digital marketing, websites, and online visibility with clarity and confidence. With a background in IT and web development, I bring a strong technical foundation that allows me to connect business goals with practical, real-world digital solutions.

  • Over the past two decades, I’ve built experience across corporate consulting, engineering, digital services, and entrepreneurship. I spent nearly twenty years at UPS, where I worked in industrial engineering, logistics, supply chain management, product design, and digital innovation, leading cross-functional initiatives focused on improving systems, processes, and operational efficiency.

    In parallel, I’ve contributed to digital services and product development efforts with established brands and high-growth startups, including organizations such as Nespresso, IBM, TOMS Shoes, Uber, Square, Facebook, and Allbirds. These experiences exposed me to a wide range of business models and growth challenges and reinforced the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and practical execution. I was fortunate to be part of teams whose work led to meaningful outcomes, including two U.S. patents.

    Today, I apply this experience directly to serving the local business community. As a board member of the Downtown Lincoln Association, I’ve helped strengthen the organization by building and refining outreach programs, improving marketing and digital communication, and creating systems that better support local businesses. My work has contributed to membership growth, stronger engagement with business owners, improved financial stability, and increased value delivered to members. This hands-on involvement keeps me closely connected to local entrepreneurs and allows me to translate strategy into action that benefits both individual businesses and the broader community.

  • I help local and community-focused businesses make informed decisions about their digital presence and marketing strategy. Many business owners know they need a strong website and online visibility but feel unsure where to focus their time, budget, and energy. I help identify what matters most, clarify priorities, and ensure the foundational pieces are in place to support long-term growth.

    My work often includes guiding businesses through website rebuilds, improving search visibility, organizing digital platforms, and supporting ongoing marketing efforts. I help business owners understand what is working, what is not, and where adjustments can have the greatest impact. By combining technical knowledge with business and operational experience, I help bridge the gap between strategy and execution.

    Ultimately, my role is to support business owners in building sustainable, well-structured digital foundations. I understand the realities of running a business, including limited time, competing priorities, and the need for practical solutions. Whether you are refining your online presence or preparing for the next stage of growth, I work alongside you to help your business move forward with clarity and confidence.

Person smiling, holding an open laptop

An Eye For Design

Lead Graphic Designer

Shawna Philipp

What sets Shawna apart is her collaborative approach to client projects. She takes the time to thoroughly understand her clients' vision, objectives, and target audience. This deep understanding allows her to effectively translate ideas into visually compelling designs that exceed expectations.

  • Shawna is a highly skilled senior graphic designer with 20+ years of experience. Her diverse portfolio includes impressive projects in the medical biotech field along with wine and music industries. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for creativity, she delivers exceptional designs that captivate audiences and elevate brands.Shawna's professionalism, creativity, and ability to consistently deliver outstanding results have made her a sought-after designer in the industry. She establishes strong partnerships with her clients, providing them with exceptional service and an exceptional design experience.

    When you work with Shawna, you can trust that she will bring your ideas to life with meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to excellence. Whether you're seeking a captivating logo, comprehensive branding guidelines, or innovative marketing materials, Shawna is well-equipped to help you create something amazing.

See My Work ≫

Dalila Lluen is the Social Media Director for Zora Nova Agency

Modern Content Creator

Social Media Director

Dalila Lluen

Dalila is a creative force at Zora Nova Design Agency, where she serves as the Social Media Director. Based in California, she combines her modern aesthetic sensibilities with a robust background in social media content creation to deliver outstanding results for clients. Currently pursuing her degree in Marketing and Business Administration, Dalila brings both academic knowledge and practical experience to her role. She is passionate about design and excels in managing clients' social media accounts, creating engaging content that drives engagement and growth. Her dedication and innovative approach make her an invaluable asset to the team.

  • Dalila stays current with all the trends on social media, ensuring that Zora Nova Design Agency remains at the forefront of digital marketing. She understands what the modern consumer seeks, whether it's educational, informational, or purely entertaining content, ensuring it matches the target demographics and is delivered on the right platform, be it Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook. Dalila expertly curates the right content to capture attention and engage audiences effectively. Her ability to align social media strategies with consumer preferences makes her a key driver of our clients' success.

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Designer & SEO Expert

Man in a gray blazer standing in a doorway with business hours written on the glass door.

Website Developer

Jake Ni

Having grown up surrounded by small business owners, Jake understands the vital role small businesses play in shaping communities across America. A proud resident of Washington State, he is actively involved in numerous local organizations, fostering strong connections within the community.

With extensive experience, Jake has supported nearly 200 businesses in building impactful websites, enhancing SEO strategies, refining branding, and managing digital advertising campaigns.

Jake firmly believes that small business owners are the unsung heroes of America. As the gap between small businesses and big tech continues to grow, he is more committed than ever to championing and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit that drives local economies.

In his free time, Jake enjoys spending quality moments with family and loved ones. As an amateur competitive swimmer, he embraces perseverance and determination in every stroke, values he carries into both his personal and professional life.

Overhead view of a workspace with a laptop, printed documents, and a camera on a table.

Commerce Strategist

Business Consultant

Mike Dutra

Mike Dutra is a seasoned Business Consultant with over 20 years of experience helping businesses scale and optimize their operations. Drawing on a distinguished career with a Fortune 500, Mike has worked alongside some of Northern California and Silicon Valley’s most influential startups and established brands.

Throughout his career, Mike has guided companies through the complexities of launching and expanding eCommerce channels, streamlining business processes, and optimizing global supply chain and logistics strategies. As a trusted consultant, he played a pivotal role in helping clients manage every aspect of their operations—from online product ordering and pick-and-pack services to full-scale order fulfillment and distribution.

Mike’s deep expertise, practical insights, and hands-on approach have empowered businesses to enhance efficiency, improve customer experience, and drive sustainable growth.

Outside of his consulting work, Mike is an avid golfer and an active competitor in local Northern California tournaments. He’ll be happy to meet you out on the golf course.

Videographer Creative | Corey Besmer

Visual Storyteller

Videography & Photography

Corey Besmer

To begin his process, Corey dives into brand strategy , mission, and values. He then collaborates with his clients to identify their target audience and craft a message that resonates with them. Using his comprehensive video strategy, he develops a mix of videos, such as explainer videos, product demos, customer testimonials, and brand stories, to achieve the desired results.

  • Corey is an experienced video marketing professional who specializes in helping businesses increase leads and sales through the power of video content. He is known for his expertise in creating story-driven videos and developing effective video strategies that help businesses drive traffic to their website and keep their target audience engaged with consistent video content.

    What sets Corey apart from other video marketers is his focus on storytelling. He understands that people are naturally drawn to stories, and he leverages this human tendency to create videos that not only inform but also inspire and connect with the audience.

    Corey's passion for video marketing is evident in his ability to craft compelling and story-driven videos that resonate with audiences. He recognizes the importance of creating videos that not only inform but also inspire and connect with viewers. By working closely with his clients, he develops a comprehensive video strategy that aligns with their brand, goals, and target audience.

    Overall, Corey Besmer is a highly skilled and passionate video marketer who brings creativity, strategy, and dedication to every project he works on. His ability to create engaging and effective video content makes him an invaluable partner for any business looking to enhance their marketing efforts.

See My Work ≫
  • We establish partnerships with passionate entrepreneurs and business owners, elevating their brand stewardship with thoughtful, informed strategies. Guided by a belief in constructive dissatisfaction, we are continuously driven to better ourselves and our capabilities.

  • We strongly advocate for positive-sum strategies, rooted in our belief that success doesn't necessitate the sidelining of others. Every business we partner with has its unique essence, and our mission is to amplify their strengths to captivate the right market. Our commitment extends to forging trustworthy partnerships and ensuring fair, equitable contracts with all our collaborators.

  • We embrace a human-centered design philosophy, which places people at its core. By engaging directly with our partners, we strive to understand their experiences, challenges, needs, and desires, ensuring that we craft experiences tailored just for them.

  • By fostering authentic and meaningful relationships with our partners, we empower brands to distinguish themselves within the competitive marketplace, creating genuine connections with their customers.

Our Shared Purpose