Meet Gene the Capybara

Gene is more than our mascot.

He's the heart of Capy Life, the inspiration behind every hand-drawn illustration, and a daily reminder that life doesn't always have to be taken so seriously.

His story actually began with a stuffed capybara.

During a family trip to Taiwan to adopt our youngest son, we visited a small farm and met real capybaras for the very first time. We had never seen them before.

They were completely unbothered by everything happening around them. Quiet. Awkward. Curious. Perfectly content just being themselves. We instantly fell in love.

Before heading home, we picked up a stuffed capybara as a souvenir. That little plush traveled with us, showed up in family photos, and slowly became part of our family's story.

Eventually, he inspired the hand-drawn character who became Gene.

Today, every Capy Life design begins as one of my original illustrations, and Gene is almost always somewhere nearby. Sometimes he's relaxing by the pool. Sometimes he's testing the water on a golf course. Sometimes he's rolling into another round of shenanigans.

No matter where he appears, he reminds us to slow down, laugh a little more, and not worry quite so much about being perfect.

That's really what Capy Life is about. Creating funny, thoughtful gifts that bring a little more joy to ordinary days.

Whether that ends up being a mug that makes someone laugh before their morning coffee, a shirt that feels exactly like their personality, a greeting card that says what they're thinking, or a plush Gene that becomes part of someone else's story, it all starts with the same simple idea.

Make something that makes people smile.

Thanks for stopping by Gene's world.

We're glad you're here.

Follow Gene's adventures on Instagram: @capylifehappylife