June 25th, 2026 | by Bivo Co-Founder Carina Hamel
Robby and I just spent two days in New York City filming a reel with the Bicycle Film Festival.
It feels a bit ridiculous to write that because neither of us particularly enjoys being on camera, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned about starting a business, it’s that you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable.
Traveling all the way to New York to film a reel may seem a little silly, but it gave us something we rarely get these days: uninterrupted time together. Our kids are 4 and a newly turned 8, and they do an excellent job of helping us switch off when we get home from work. But it turns out having time to think, reflect, and talk with your spouse is important too.
After meeting the BFF team and recognizing it was too windy to film (there was a tornado in Vermont!), we suddenly had a free evening. Over dinner, we found ourselves talking about some of the questions Brendt and Brian had asked us. Namely: Why did we start Bivo in the first place?
It's a great question.
Robby and I just spent two days in New York City filming a reel with the Bicycle Film Festival.
It feels a bit ridiculous to write that because neither of us particularly enjoys being on camera, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned about starting a business, it’s that you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable.
Traveling all the way to New York to film a reel may seem a little silly, but it gave us something we rarely get these days: uninterrupted time together. Our kids are 4 and a newly turned 8, and they do an excellent job of helping us switch off when we get home from work. But it turns out having time to think, reflect, and talk with your spouse is important too.
After meeting the BFF team and recognizing it was too windy to film (there was a tornado in Vermont!), we suddenly had a free evening. Over dinner, we found ourselves talking about some of the questions Brendt and Brian had asked us. Namely: Why did we start Bivo in the first place?
It's a great question.
Pictured above: Carina and Robby in NYC with the BFF Crew.
Pictured above: Carina and Robby in NYC with the BFF Crew.
Starting a business is hard. Really hard. We had a new baby, a successful consulting business, and voluntarily decided to rock the boat. Looking back, it seems like a slightly irrational decision. People told us to avoid starting a brand and to license the technology instead, and, of course, we didn’t listen. It wasn't because we wanted to be famous. It wasn't because we thought we'd get rich. In fact, sometimes I genuinely wonder what possessed us.
The answer we landed on was surprisingly simple: we love solving problems. And… let’s be honest, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.
Some days I think Bivo is just one giant puzzle that keeps creating new pieces. Sometimes that's figuring out how to make a metal bottle perform better than plastic. Sometimes it's navigating a tariff situation that threatens your business overnight. Sometimes it's learning how to tell stories instead of relying on traditional marketing. The problems change, but the motivation stays the same.
And in many ways, that's been the story of Bivo from day one. When we launched, we had no idea how to get the word out. Putting ourselves out there felt uncomfortable. This is our second company, but our first was a design and development agency where we worked behind the scenes while our clients stood in the spotlight. I was very comfortable in that role.
Bivo required something different.
Starting a business is hard. Really hard. We had a new baby, a successful consulting business, and voluntarily decided to rock the boat. Looking back, it seems like a slightly irrational decision. People told us to avoid starting a brand and to license the technology instead, and, of course, we didn’t listen. It wasn't because we wanted to be famous. It wasn't because we thought we'd get rich. In fact, sometimes I genuinely wonder what possessed us.
The answer we landed on was surprisingly simple: we love solving problems. And… let’s be honest, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.
Some days I think Bivo is just one giant puzzle that keeps creating new pieces. Sometimes that's figuring out how to make a metal bottle perform better than plastic. Sometimes it's navigating a tariff situation that threatens your business overnight. Sometimes it's learning how to tell stories instead of relying on traditional marketing. The problems change, but the motivation stays the same.
And in many ways, that's been the story of Bivo from day one. When we launched, we had no idea how to get the word out. Putting ourselves out there felt uncomfortable. This is our second company, but our first was a design and development agency where we worked behind the scenes while our clients stood in the spotlight. I was very comfortable in that role.
Bivo required something different.
Last year, when tariffs hit, we knew we needed to make some significant changes or risk losing the business. Our thinking went in three directions: sell in Europe, change our supply chain, or explore entirely new markets outside of cycling.
We pursued all three. I jumped on a plane to Europe to meet potential partners. When I landed back in the U.S., Robby and I practically high-fived in the airport before he headed to China to explore manufacturing options. At the same time, we were taking a hard look at team sports. The reason was simple: parents are looking for healthier alternatives to plastic, and that's the exact reason we started Bivo in the first place.
What surprised me most was Europe. Actually, if I'm being honest, all of it surprises me.
Last year, when tariffs hit, we knew we needed to make some significant changes or risk losing the business. Our thinking went in three directions: sell in Europe, change our supply chain, or explore entirely new markets outside of cycling.
We pursued all three. I jumped on a plane to Europe to meet potential partners. When I landed back in the U.S., Robby and I practically high-fived in the airport before he headed to China to explore manufacturing options. At the same time, we were taking a hard look at team sports. The reason was simple: parents are looking for healthier alternatives to plastic, and that's the exact reason we started Bivo in the first place.
What surprised me most was Europe. Actually, if I'm being honest, all of it surprises me.
The fact that people know who Bivo is in Europe. The fact that hockey players are carrying Bivos. The fact that a bottle company from Vermont somehow found its way into conversations halfway around the world.
As I traveled around meeting retailers and distributors, I kept hearing some version of the same thing: "Oh yeah, I've heard of Bivo."
It was a reminder of how small and interconnected the cycling world can be. A conversation in Vermont somehow makes its way to a bike shop in Germany. Someone had seen a Bivo at a race. Someone had read a review. Someone had heard about us from a friend. Someone had stopped by our tent at an event, or shared a ride with someone carrying a Bivo.
It was a reminder that this company has never been built by Robby, me and the team alone.
The fact that people know who Bivo is in Europe. The fact that hockey players are carrying Bivos. The fact that a bottle company from Vermont somehow found its way into conversations halfway around the world.
As I traveled around meeting retailers and distributors, I kept hearing some version of the same thing: "Oh yeah, I've heard of Bivo."
It was a reminder of how small and interconnected the cycling world can be. A conversation in Vermont somehow makes its way to a bike shop in Germany. Someone had seen a Bivo at a race. Someone had read a review. Someone had heard about us from a friend. Someone had stopped by our tent at an event, or shared a ride with someone carrying a Bivo.
It was a reminder that this company has never been built by Robby, me and the team alone.
Every retailer that took a chance on us. Every customer who recommended us to a friend. Every athlete who joined a group ride with a Bivo in their cage. Every person who commented on a post, replied to an email, stopped by our booth, or simply chose to support a small business trying to do things a little differently.
You helped us get there.
A few years ago, we loaded up the Bivo car and spent a month driving around the country introducing people to Bivo one conversation at a time. Some of our favorite memories from that trip were the people we met along the way and the stories they told. I also distinctly remember how convenient a Trio was to carry around our son’s milk for the long drives – the things you never think about!!
This summer feels a lot like that chapter again. In a few days, we'll be heading back to Europe for nearly a month. We'll be visiting shops, attending events, doing my first ever bike packing trip (eeeikk – a mix of excitement and nerves), and hopefully meeting many of the people who have been hearing about Bivo but haven't yet had the chance to try one.
Five years in, it’s still the early days. We don't have everything figured out. Most days we're still solving one problem while creating two more. But we're incredibly grateful that so many of you have decided to come along for the ride.
Thank you for helping us build something that has traveled farther than we ever imagined. We will keep you posted on how it’s going in Europe!
Cheers, Carina
Follow along with Carina's trip on our Instagram - @drinkbivo
Every retailer that took a chance on us. Every customer who recommended us to a friend. Every athlete who joined a group ride with a Bivo in their cage. Every person who commented on a post, replied to an email, stopped by our booth, or simply chose to support a small business trying to do things a little differently.
You helped us get there.
A few years ago, we loaded up the Bivo car and spent a month driving around the country introducing people to Bivo one conversation at a time. Some of our favorite memories from that trip were the people we met along the way and the stories they told. I also distinctly remember how convenient a Trio was to carry around our son’s milk for the long drives – the things you never think about!!
This summer feels a lot like that chapter again. In a few days, we'll be heading back to Europe for nearly a month. We'll be visiting shops, attending events, doing my first ever bike packing trip (eeeikk – a mix of excitement and nerves), and hopefully meeting many of the people who have been hearing about Bivo but haven't yet had the chance to try one.
Five years in, it’s still the early days. We don't have everything figured out. Most days we're still solving one problem while creating two more. But we're incredibly grateful that so many of you have decided to come along for the ride.
Thank you for helping us build something that has traveled farther than we ever imagined. We will keep you posted on how it’s going in Europe!
Cheers, Carina
Follow along with Carina's trip on our Instagram - @drinkbivo
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