By: Elizabeth Galewski

Zoolessbox is on a mission to champion animal protection and environmental conservation. Interestingly, its founder, Manuela Garcia, doesn’t describe herself as a devoted animal lover.

“It’s not about personal affection for me,” she explains. “What I can’t stand is seeing them suffer. I believe we should not only let them live in peace but also protect their existence. They aren’t second-class citizens in our ecosystem — they’re equals. In fact, if we’re honest, we probably need them far more than they need us.”

Zoolessbox: Where Creativity Meets Adorable Charm

Zoolessbox brings the magic of the animal kingdom to life with charming designs inspired by exotic wildlife, farm favorites, and beloved pets. Its debut product line features clay kits with step-by-step video instructions, offering a creative and relaxing activity for all ages. Whether crafting with family or spending some solo time, these kits offer a way to create clay animals in an enjoyable and engaging way.

With a wide variety of animals to choose from — like a giraffe, a penguin, or a lamb — the hardest part might just be picking your favorite. The lightweight, nontoxic clay is designed to be mess-free and air-dried without the need for baking, offering a practical option for various uses.

Zoolessbox also offers a collection of beautiful pins featuring many of the same animals from the clay kits, alongside other delightful designs like animal print hearts and flowers like daisies and pink peonies.

Currently, Zoolessbox is offering a Black Friday deal featuring a bundle of four clay kits for $56, along with free shipping on orders through November 30th.

What sets Zoolessbox apart is founder Manuela’s captivating designs, which trace back to her own childhood creativity. 

Rooted in Childhood Creativity and Joy

Manuela was around eight years old when she crafted her very first clay animal, “The first one I ever made was a lion, which is probably why it’s still my favorite,” she shares. “Although, I think the lamb is the cutest one I’ve made so far.”

As a naturally creative child, Manuela loved working with her hands. “I was always playing with clay,” she recalls, often gifting her little creations to family and friends. This love for making things eventually led her to architecture school at Cornell University, where she honed her model-making skills. But the playful clay animals of her childhood never truly left her mind.

“Every now and then, I’d return to making those little figures,” she says. “I kept thinking about creating something that might have a positive impact on the planet. That’s when I decided to use these cute characters to help bring that idea to life.”

Inspired by this idea, Manuela began sharing videos of herself crafting clay animals, which drew interest from others. Encouraged by the response, she started Zoolessbox. “It’s great to share this activity with others,” she says.

Her line of pins emerged as a natural progression of her designs. “I transformed the clay figures into illustrations that could be used across various products,” she shares, reflecting a shift in her creative approach.

However, building her own business was no small feat. The challenges were greater than she ever anticipated, but her passion for art and her mission to make a difference kept her going.

Zoolessbox is Born

Manuela has always been a creator at heart, but her journey to building Zoolessbox has been anything but straightforward. By day, she’s an architect in San Francisco, working full-time at a demanding firm. By night, she’s dreaming of turning her designs into a successful business. 

“I had no idea how to build an e-commerce company from scratch,” Manuela admits. “Especially not while working a full-time job. There was so much I didn’t know — how to source clay, store it, pack it, sell it, ship it — everything.”

With a laugh, she recalls the struggle. “There have been so many moments of sweat and tears — literally. I’ve questioned myself countless times, wondering if I made the right decision or if I should just quit.”

After finalizing 12 unique animal designs and securing a clay supplier, Manuela encountered a significant challenge. “The clay was different — nothing like what I had worked with before,” she recalls. “It had its advantages, but it didn’t fit my designs at all. I had to relearn everything, adjust all the figures, and make hundreds of prototypes just to get it right.”

What started as a frustrating setback became a breakthrough moment. “In the end, it was a blessing in disguise,” Manuela reflects. “The new clay is more fun, easier to use, and perfect for anyone to work with. Plus, it doesn’t require baking, which makes it so much more accessible. It turned out to be an even cooler way for people to create their own toy or collectible.”

Through grit, resilience, and creativity, Manuela transformed challenges into opportunities, proving that even the hardest paths can lead to something truly extraordinary.

Unbox the Wild: Protect Animals and Our Planet with Zoolessbox

Zoolessbox contributes five percent of every purchase to support programs that protect animals and the planet.

“When you choose to buy a clay animal kit or a Zoolessbox pin, you’re not just making a purchase — you’re making a statement,” Manuela explains. “You’re declaring your commitment to protecting our planet and standing up for the creatures we share it with. Each clay animal you craft and every pin you wear is a badge of your values, sparking conversations and inspiring others to care”.

Zoolessbox reflects Manuela’s vision of combining fun with meaningful impact, offering a unique way to connect with the wild. Learn more about Zoolessbox and its mission to inspire creativity while supporting a greener, kinder world.

Published by: Josh Tatunay