About us

Koola Koalas Kids Company is a family-owned business with offices in San Diego, California, and Sydney, Australia.

We formed in the spring of 2007 because the timing was right: “There comes a time in everyone’s life when you do what you must, and forming Koola was it for us,” says Eileen.

“Our daughter Jennifer inspired us,” says, Richard. “We’re so proud of Jenn’s accomplishments in the Australian children's fashion business, as well as her management consulting and business development skills. We’ve always known Jenn to be bright, so when she called with a business proposition, we jumped at the chance.”

“Well, that’s not quite how I remember,” Jenn says with a smile. “It took a bit more coaxing, but we don’t need to go there. What matters is Koola is alive and growing! We rolled out the initial distribution of Huggalugs products in the US and Canada in July 2007, and we've been adding more product lines since. We’re proud to market unique products from mum- and grand-mumprenuers and other small business owners. Children help us to see the small nuances of beauty in the world that we forget to notice as adults. Be it in wear or gear, Koola is dedicated to offering products that foster the creative spirit of children and imagination of adults.”

In the Press

Company Goals

Koola Koalas Kids Company is committed to:
• Selling high-quality children’s wear and gear designed by mum- and grand-mumprenuers and small business owners.
• Providing products that foster the creative spirit of children.
• Providing a community forum to foster the imagination of adults.
• Making Australian and New Zealand made products available to customers in North America.
• Encouraging self-expression through reading and writing.
• Supporting families through work and play.

Our Background

Jenn Zuber, President & CEO

Jennifer was raised in Connecticut and Pennsylvania and traveled to Sydney Australia when she was 19 for a 6 month “holiday”. Over a decade later, Jennifer still resides in Sydney with her growing family.

Jennifer earned a bachelor of education in Adult Education from the University of Technology Sydney and has completed additional graduate coursework in eLearning. She has worked as an independent Change Management and Human Resource Development consultant for the past decade working for clients throughout Australia, New Zealand and North America.

Jennifer was also a foundation director of Huggalugs, an Australian made children’s clothing label. Jennifer has since resigned from Hugglaugs in order to pursue other interests. As a new mother, Jennifer was inspired by the creativity and quality of numerous Australian and New Zealand children’s clothing, accessories and toys. Through Koola Koalas Kids Company, Jennifer aims to share this experience with North American parents and carers.

Eileen Zuber, CFO

Eileen earned a bachelor of arts in English with a focus in literature from The Pennsylvania State University and completed additional graduate coursework in writing, sociology and multi-cultural children’s literature.

She earned a master of liberal arts from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and completed a master’s thesis, with a focus on creativity. While at Penn State, Eileen worked many years as a staff writer-editor at a multi-state regional rural development center where she learned first-hand about leadership, community and economic development, and the value of applied research.

Eileen credits her children’s love of adventure to inspiring her travels abroad and despite years of education believes she’s learned more from being a mom than from any other role; that is why she is so committed to Koola Koalas Kids Company.

Richard Zuber, Secretary

Richard earned an associate of arts in accounting from Phoenix College and a bachelor of science in business administration with a minor in accounting from The Central Connecticut State University. He later earned a master of divinity from The Theological Seminary at Gettysburg with a focus in rural parish ministry. Richard completed additional graduate coursework in rural sociology at The Pennsylvania State University while serving as pastor of a small congregation. Richard currently serves as pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church in San Diego.

He is well known by many small children for his balloon twisting abilities and by adults for his vivid storytelling.