KOA+ROY Goes Deep with Their Sustainable Self-Care Cubes

Adriana Gluyas and Inga von Wellsheim are the founders of KOA+ROY, a brand that’s redefining sustainable body care with their innovative body care cubes, crafted with natural, plant-based ingredients and designed to nourish, heal, and inspire conscious consumerism. Their brand is built on a deep commitment to environmental preservation, ethical sourcing, and holistic wellness. Since becoming a certified B Corp in 2019, KOA+ROY has planted over 11,000 trees, eliminated plastic waste from their products, and partnered with organizations like One Tree Planted and Clean Hub to drive positive change. In this interview, Adriana and Inga are joined by their Marketing Lead Noel Jensen to share their journey, values, and vision for a healthier planet. 

Adriana and Inga, co-founders of KOA+ROY

Tell me a little bit about yourselves and your company! 

Adriana: Thank you so much, Renee. It’s great to be here. Thank you for inviting us. I’m Adriana, one of the co-founders, together with Inga. I have a background in business and sustainability. Inga and I met in management consulting, and when we were doing projects for Fortune 500 companies, we realized there was a great need to create products that were truly sustainable—not just greenwashed. We wanted to develop something inclusive for everyone, zero-waste, and something that could give back to the environment. That’s how KOA+ROY was born. We’ve been in business for about five years now, and we’ve learned so much. We’re grateful to connect with incredible businesses like yours and see the sustainable movement moving forward.

Inga: Thank you so much for inviting us. We’re really excited about this conversation and sharing our story with you. As Adriana mentioned, we’re passionate about clean products, sustainability, and giving users the space to use the best product for multiple purposes while also benefiting the environment. I’m originally from Germany and Adriana’s from Mexico. We’ve seen the global movement toward more sustainable and natural products, and we’re excited to pursue our passion and vision here in San Diego.

Noel: I’ve been with the company for a little over two years. I met Adriana and Inga at an event in San Diego. I was doing a marketing internship at the time, and we hit it off. They were looking for someone to help with their marketing, and I was super excited to work with them. It’s been a blessing for the past two years. They’re amazing to work for, and we’re a great team!

It’s an interesting product—not something everyone’s used to. How are people using it? What are you finding in terms of how people enjoy the product and what they do with it?

Inga: When Adriana and I worked together, we joked about how our husbands, who both play soccer, were always sore and asking for back massages. It’s hard to massage someone with strong muscles, especially if you have smaller hands. So we talked about developing a product that makes it easier to massage and provides relief. We created a solid cube, and what started as a massage tool quickly became a multipurpose product. Our users use it in so many ways.

For me, I work out a lot, and I’m also clumsy, so I get bruises. I love using the cube on my bruises—it helps my body heal faster. The arnica in the cube is very popular for recovery. 

Adriana: I always have a cube on my desk. I love the scent—it’s like aromatherapy for me. But I also use it between meetings or calls to relieve tension in my neck and shoulders. The cube helps me dig into those knots and relieve them. Once the ingredients are absorbed, I get the benefits of the recovery. I’ve also been training for half marathons and marathons, so I use it on my legs and feet before runs. It’s amazing how fresh it makes me feel.

As a Mexican, I grew up using ointments with menthol for aches and pains. The recovery cube is a natural alternative to petroleum-based products, and I feel good using it on my kids too. My niece, who’s three, knows to grab the cube when she gets a boo-boo. It’s become a family staple.

Noel: For me, I use the cubes as a moisturizer, especially in the winter when my skin gets dry. It’s non-greasy, smells amazing, and doesn’t leave a weird residue like some lotions do. I also use the wellness cube after being in the sun—it has aloe vera, which feels so soothing. And I use our Gua Sha tool every day to reduce puffiness in my face. It’s become a daily ritual for me.

It’s interesting how one product can have so many uses. I love the regenerative properties of it's multiple uses. Inga, you mentioned arnica. Can you tell me more about that and its benefits?

Inga: When we first formulated the product, we looked at ingredients that have great benefits for the body. Arnica is a powerful plant that’s been used in holistic medicine for a long time, especially in Latin countries. It’s known for helping with bruises and inflammation. By including arnica in our products, we’re helping the body heal faster. Adriana, you probably have more to share about arnica since you grew up with it.

Adriana: Yes, in Mexico, most moms carry arnica in their purses for their kids. The problem is, a lot of arnica products in the market are petroleum-based, which isn’t great for the skin. Our cubes are a natural alternative, and they’re so convenient—you can carry them anywhere. It’s been amazing to see how our customers use the cubes, and we learn from them too.

Starting a business is really hard, and getting to the five-year mark is impressive. What got you started, and what were some of your early challenges or wins?

Adriana: Early challenges? I feel like we have challenges almost every day—it’s a roller coaster! But we also have wins every day. At the beginning, we were idealists. We wanted to prove that two immigrants with hard-earned savings could create a brand that’s sustainable, plant-based, and gives back to the environment. If we could do it, we could make a dent in the industry.

One of the biggest challenges was sourcing ingredients and formulating the product. We did everything in-house, from making the molds to ensuring the cubes wouldn’t crack or change form. We don’t use stabilizers or chemicals, so it was a long process to get it right. And then there’s the consistency of supply—climate change has affected some of the areas where our ingredients are grown. But it’s been a fun challenge, and we’ve learned so much.

Inga: To Adriana’s point, we started from scratch. We developed the product, the packaging, the design—everything. It didn’t exist before, so we couldn’t copy anything. We got a lot of feedback from customers at markets, and that helped us improve the product. It’s been a big challenge, but it’s exciting to see people sharing the product and educating others about sustainability.

You’ve been a B Corp since 2019. How has that influenced your business?

Adriana: Becoming a B Corp was always part of our vision. The certification process opened our eyes to areas we could improve and helped us align even more closely with our values. The B Corp community has been amazing—it’s how we connected with you, Renee! It’s been such a rewarding experience to be part of this movement.

Yes, it’s such a powerful community. 

What’s your vision for the future of KOA+ROY?

Inga: We want to continue promoting sustainable products and encouraging businesses to do good for the environment and humanitarian rights. We want our customers to trust that we’re not cutting corners—that they can rely on us to use clean ingredients and sustainable practices. We’re committed to innovation and continuously improving our products and practices.

I love that you’re thinking holistically about sustainability and self-care. Before we wrap up, I’d love to hear about your self-care routines. How do you recharge and take care of yourselves?

Adriana: For me, it’s all about sleep. I aim to get to bed early so I can wake up refreshed and ready for my 5 a.m. fitness class. It’s my way of setting myself up for success.

Inga: I’ve made meditation and exercise a daily priority. Even 10 minutes of mindfulness or a quick workout helps me stay grounded and energized.

Noel: I’m a big walker. I try to get outside for at least an hour every day, whether it’s a walk or just spending time in nature. It’s my way of clearing my head and staying motivated.

That’s such a great reminder to prioritize self-care, even in small ways. Thank you all so much for sharing your story and insights. It’s been such a pleasure talking with you, and I can’t wait to see where KOA+ROY goes next!

Find KOA+ROY's Wellness Cube and Gua Sha at Here I Am.

Learn more about the Cube on Adriana and Inga's website, KOA+ROY. 

This interview has been edited and condensed from my conversation with Adriana, Inga, and Noel. To hear the full interview, find it and follow Here I Am on our YouTube channel.