Q1. You wear many hats—author, illustrator, publisher, and IP founder. How did CapyFun begin?

Helen Wu:
CapyFun began very organically. I was originally creating children’s books as an author and illustrator, focusing on gentle storytelling and emotional connection. Over time, I noticed that readers—both children and adults—were responding not just to individual stories, but to the world and feeling behind the characters.

CapyFun grew out of that realization. Rather than treating each book as a standalone project, I started to build a cohesive universe centered on calm, cozy living and everyday joy. What began as picture books gradually evolved into a broader IP spanning illustration, animation concepts, and licensed lifestyle products.

Q2. Why capybara? What drew you to this animal as the heart of your IP?

Helen Wu:
Capybara is native to South America, but its temperament feels deeply familiar to me. There’s a calm, Zen-like presence in capybaras—their unhurried nature, emotional steadiness, and quiet confidence—that closely mirrors ideas found in Eastern Buddhist philosophy.

I was drawn to how naturally capybara embodies tranquility without effort. It doesn’t compete for attention, yet it brings comfort simply by being itself. That quality felt universal, transcending culture and language.

Through CapyFun, I bring together these influences—drawing inspiration from the capybara’s South American roots while infusing it with an Eastern sensibility of balance, mindfulness, and gentle observation. That cultural blend allows CapyFun to feel both globally accessible and emotionally grounded.

Q3. CapyFun has expanded far beyond books. How did that transition happen?

Helen Wu:
The expansion was very intentional. I didn’t want CapyFun to become a brand that simply “puts characters on products.” Instead, I approached it as long-term IP building.

Each new category—whether publishing, apparel, accessories, or gifts—had to align with the same emotional values: calm, warmth, and gentle humor. As interest from international partners grew, it became clear that CapyFun had the potential to live across multiple formats while remaining emotionally consistent.

Q4. How do you approach licensing for CapyFun?

Helen Wu:
CapyFun works through direct licensing. Partners who are interested in licensing CapyFun are welcome to contact us directly. We review each inquiry carefully, evaluating whether the collaboration aligns with the brand’s values, creative direction, and long-term vision.

This approach allows us to maintain clarity, consistency, and thoughtful growth across regions and categories.

Q5. How does your background influence the way you build CapyFun?

Helen Wu:
I grew up in China and later moved to the United States, so I’ve always lived between cultures. That experience deeply shaped how I tell stories and build brands.

CapyFun focuses on universal emotions—comfort, curiosity, kindness, and small joys. That universality makes the IP naturally adaptable across languages and regions.

Q6. CapyFun seems to resonate with adults as much as children. Was that intentional?

Helen Wu:
Yes, very much so. While CapyFun began in children’s publishing, I never wanted it to be limited by age.

Adults today are also seeking comfort, emotional grounding, and moments of calm. CapyFun speaks to the inner child in everyone. Whether through books, illustrations, or everyday products, the goal is the same—to offer a quiet sense of companionship and ease.

Q7. What does success look like for CapyFun in the long term?

Helen Wu:
Success means that CapyFun becomes a trusted presence in people’s lives—something they return to for comfort, joy, and familiarity.

I hope CapyFun continues to grow across books, animation, and lifestyle products while remaining emotionally grounded. If people associate CapyFun with a sense of calm and warmth, then I know the brand is doing its job.

Q8. What advice would you give to creators who want to build their own IP?

Helen Wu:
Start with something emotionally honest. Trends change, but emotional connection lasts.

Also, think beyond the first product. IP is about worlds, values, and continuity. If you protect that core from the beginning, everything else can grow more naturally over time.