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EdZOOcation: Nurturing a Passion for Animals Through Education

By: Small Business Trendsetters

November 06, 2024 at 13:42 PM EST

As the world is increasingly becoming disconnected from nature, Jenny Curtis is on a mission to bring wildlife education back into homes with her innovative venture, EdZOOcation. In a recent conversation on the Women in Motion podcast, Jenny shared the journey that led her to create EdZOOcation, a subscription box service designed to inspire and educate children about animals and conservation.

A Lifelong Love for Animals

For Jenny, a passion for animals was more than just a passing interest. From a young age, she was the child who spent her days exploring the outdoors, captivated by caterpillars, baby birds, and any creature she could find. Jenny’s love for animals never waned. It followed her through middle school, high school, and into college, where she studied zoology and animal training. “It wasn’t a choice,” Jenny admits. “I had no control over it.”

Jenny’s early experiences shaped her future, driving her to pursue a career centered around animals. Her commitment to animal welfare and education led her to found EdZOOcation, a company that combines her love for animals with a passion for teaching.

The Birth of EdZOOcation

EdZOOcation was born out of Jenny’s desire to provide children with a more immersive and hands-on learning experience. Reflecting on her own childhood, she remembered how much she loved educational materials like zoo books. But she wanted to offer something more—a 360-degree learning experience that would engage children on multiple levels.

EdZOOcation’s subscription boxes are carefully curated for three different age groups: 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Each box includes a variety of items designed to spark curiosity and foster a love for animals. These include full-sized stuffed animals, age-appropriate books, activity magazines, ecosystem posters, and even a paper dissection kit. The goal is to create a tactile, interactive experience that goes beyond watching videos or reading books.

A Mission-Driven Approach

Beyond education, EdZOOcation is deeply committed to conservation. Jenny’s background in zoology and her experience rescuing and rehoming exotic animals in Florida have instilled in her a strong sense of responsibility toward wildlife preservation. EdZOOcation donates 50% of its profits to wildlife conservation efforts, partnering with organizations that align with the featured animal of the month. This not only supports vital conservation work but also raises awareness among EdZOOcation’s young subscribers and their families.

Jenny emphasizes that conservation is not limited to those working directly with animals. “Kids can take their love of animals into any field,” she explains. Whether it’s IT, public relations, or medical research, there are countless ways to make a positive impact on wildlife and the environment.

Overcoming Challenges

Running a small business, especially one with a complex supply chain, is no easy feat. EdZOOcation’s subscription boxes contain 12 to 15 components each, and managing the logistics of sourcing, assembling, and shipping these items has been a steep learning curve for Jenny and her small team. But despite the challenges, Jenny remains passionate about her mission and committed to growing her business.

One of the biggest hurdles has been navigating the supply chain issues that have plagued businesses worldwide since the COVID-19 pandemic. Delays and lost shipments are all too common, but Jenny’s resilience and determination keep EdZOOcation moving forward.

Looking to the Future

As the company grows, Jenny hopes to expand its reach by partnering with schools and educational organizations. For now, EdZOOcation has found success with charter schools and homeschool groups, but Jenny sees great potential in bringing her educational boxes to a broader audience.

When asked why she joined the WBEC-West community, Jenny highlighted the importance of being a certified woman-owned business. For her, it’s about more than just certification—it’s about solidarity with women worldwide who are making a difference in their communities and the environment. Jenny’s commitment to conservation extends beyond animals to the people who live in the communities where these animals are found.

Supporting EdZOOcation

As EdZOOcation continues to grow, Jenny welcomes support in any form. Whether it’s subscribing to the service, spreading the word, or simply encouraging children to explore their interests in science and conservation, every little bit helps.

For more information about EdZOOcation and to explore their subscription options, visit edzoocation.com or follow them on social media at @edzoocation_boxes.

Jenny Curtis is a shining example of how passion and perseverance can lead to impactful change. Through EdZOOcation, she is not only educating the next generation but also contributing to the preservation of our planet’s most vulnerable species. Listen to her full story on Women in Motion using this link: https://businessradiox.com/podcast/women-in-motion/passion-to-purpose/

About Women’s Business Enterprise Council-West (WBEC-West)

WBEC-West is a regional partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), a coalition of corporations, WBEs, and regionally focused women’s business organizations. As an affiliate organization, WBEC-West implements the certification standards of WBENC throughout Arizona, Colorado, Southern California, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Hawaii, and Guam. WBENC is the largest certifier of women’s business enterprises in the U.S. and a leading advocate for women business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs. WBENC certification is nationally recognized and accepted by more than 10,000 major corporations. We also support corporations in their efforts to include WBENC Certified WBEs in their supply chain.

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EdZOOcation: Nurturing a Passion for Animals Through Education

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