I Went Undercover at Bivo HQ. Here's What I Found.

October 8th, 2026 | by Sam Spelman

We asked Sam, our lovely warehouse coordinator to write a story for us this week! Sam studied creative writing in college so we're excited to finally get a taste of their writing talent. When they're not busy "putting stuff in boxes" as they put it, they're cracking jokes and keeping the rest of us on our toes. I hope you enjoy this fun and witty story from one of our own <3

For the past six months, I've been working undercover at Bivo HQ as the new "warehouse coordinator," secretly on a mission to find out whether the workplace culture here is as positive as it looks from the outside.

The short answer: yes.

The slightly longer answer: absolutely yes.

For the past six months, I've been working undercover at Bivo HQ as the new "warehouse coordinator," secretly on a mission to find out whether the workplace culture here is as positive as it looks from the outside.

The short answer: yes.

The slightly longer answer: absolutely yes.

Sam Spelman, Bivo's Warehouse Coordinator and undercover detective

My first evidence came during my interview. When I asked Robby and Carina, Bivo's co-founders, about the company culture, they gave me a simple answer. They pulled out a phone and the group of us in that conference room sat in complete silence watching the entirety of Team Bivo’s shot-for-shot remake of the classic Men at Work “Down Under” music video.

“That’s pretty much us,” Robby told me with a shrug.

Three days later, I got the call. By the end of the week, I was on the inside, and by the end of the month, I’d gathered all the evidence I needed to decide Bivo was the place for me.

My first evidence came during my interview. When I asked Robby and Carina, Bivo's co-founders, about the company culture, they gave me a simple answer. They pulled out a phone and the group of us in that conference room sat in complete silence watching the entirety of Team Bivo’s shot-for-shot remake of the classic Men at Work “Down Under” music video.

“That’s pretty much us,” Robby told me with a shrug.

Three days later, I got the call. By the end of the week, I was on the inside, and by the end of the month, I’d gathered all the evidence I needed to decide Bivo was the place for me.

Exhibit A: The Slowest Rider Sets the Pace

Shortly after I was hired, Bivo’s doors closed for a team photoshoot, which I’m still convinced was just another excuse to get out and ride together. I only had one bike in my fleet at the time, and so I hit the back roads of Richmond on the mountain bike I got in high school, which still fits me but barely rides. It’s no surprise that I struggled on that ride, especially alongside elite riders like Sam N., who raced cyclocross professionally!

With frequent stops to photograph team shenanigans and take a dip in the Huntington Gorge, I was able to keep solid pace on the first leg. On our return journey, however, I faded fast—understandably so, since we were hightailing it to the local creemee stand.

Keaton dropped back to ride with me and offered to let me draft off her. I'm a mountain biker historically, so "drafting" wasn't in my vocabulary. Let me tell you: it's cool.

Shortly after I was hired, Bivo’s doors closed for a team photoshoot, which I’m still convinced was just another excuse to get out and ride together. I only had one bike in my fleet at the time, and so I hit the back roads of Richmond on the mountain bike I got in high school, which still fits me but barely rides. It’s no surprise that I struggled on that ride, especially alongside elite riders like Sam N., who raced cyclocross professionally!

With frequent stops to photograph team shenanigans and take a dip in the Huntington Gorge, I was able to keep solid pace on the first leg. On our return journey, however, I faded fast—understandably so, since we were hightailing it to the local creemee stand.

Keaton dropped back to ride with me and offered to let me draft off her. I'm a mountain biker historically, so "drafting" wasn't in my vocabulary. Let me tell you: it's cool.

I tucked in behind Keaton's back wheel, and the headwind simply vanished. When we finally rolled up to the creemee stand, the rest of the team was waiting to order.

The photoshoot ride wasn't a one-off. On club mountain bike rides, I'm just as slow, which I'd like to blame on my bike but is really the fault of my lungs. Even if it takes me ages to catch up to the group at the top, I never feel too far behind, and for one reason only: I can always hear Lily up ahead somewhere in the woods, laughing with so much carefree abandon it makes my shaky legs want to pedal harder.

I never felt left out, even when I couldn't keep up. Intensity at all costs simply isn't their thing. "No drop" actually means no drop.

I tucked in behind Keaton's back wheel, and the headwind simply vanished. When we finally rolled up to the creemee stand, the rest of the team was waiting to order.

The photoshoot ride wasn't a one-off. On club mountain bike rides, I'm just as slow, which I'd like to blame on my bike but is really the fault of my lungs. Even if it takes me ages to catch up to the group at the top, I never feel too far behind, and for one reason only: I can always hear Lily up ahead somewhere in the woods, laughing with so much carefree abandon it makes my shaky legs want to pedal harder.

I never felt left out, even when I couldn't keep up. Intensity at all costs simply isn't their thing. "No drop" actually means no drop.

Exhibit B: Missing Persons Report (Everyone's at the Huddle)

Every Monday afternoon, if you stop by Bivo HQ, you'll find every desk suspiciously empty. That’s because we’re all gathered in the conference room for our weekly huddle—a chance for everyone to share recent wins, kick around new projects, and catch up on what's happening in other corners of the business.

My first huddle (on my very first day of work) was not a typical one—it began with an apology.

Every Monday afternoon, if you stop by Bivo HQ, you'll find every desk suspiciously empty. That’s because we’re all gathered in the conference room for our weekly huddle—a chance for everyone to share recent wins, kick around new projects, and catch up on what's happening in other corners of the business.

My first huddle (on my very first day of work) was not a typical one—it began with an apology.

The week before, Robby and Carina had decided to move from three color releases a year to two, a change that impacted everyone's work, from inventory forecasts and production timelines to marketing schedules and retailer relationships.

I understood almost none of this. I didn't know Bivo had three seasons, let alone why dropping to two was a big deal. What I did understand was that Robby was talking to us on even ground, apologizing for how fast the decision was made and for the moments when communication about it broke down.

Then, he and Carina listened. My new coworkers explained how the change affected their daily work and asked that major changes like this be shared as they happen, not after the fact.

They meant it. Big, exciting projects are in the works that I can't tell you about yet, but the team has been in the loop on every step.

The week before, Robby and Carina had decided to move from three color releases a year to two, a change that impacted everyone's work, from inventory forecasts and production timelines to marketing schedules and retailer relationships.

I understood almost none of this. I didn't know Bivo had three seasons, let alone why dropping to two was a big deal. What I did understand was that Robby was talking to us on even ground, apologizing for how fast the decision was made and for the moments when communication about it broke down.

Then, he and Carina listened. My new coworkers explained how the change affected their daily work and asked that major changes like this be shared as they happen, not after the fact.

They meant it. Big, exciting projects are in the works that I can't tell you about yet, but the team has been in the loop on every step.

Mission Complete (Resignation not Included)

You can tell a lot about a group by being the newest member (or the slowest rider). At Bivo, I’m both of these things. From club mountain bike rides to a crash course in inventory management, Team Bivo has always been willing and ready to wait for me to catch up.

When I applied for this job, it wasn't because I was obsessed with water bottles or had a longstanding passion for taking things in and out of boxes. I wanted to be part of a team that actually cares about the work and the people doing it. Six months in, I can report that my mission is complete: the culture here is exactly as good as it looks from the outside. They take their work seriously and themselves not at all.

Final report: the culture is real, my cover is blown, and I’m staying anyway.

My only complaint is that I haven’t been asked yet to star in a music video, but I’m sure that invite will come any day now.

You can tell a lot about a group by being the newest member (or the slowest rider). At Bivo, I’m both of these things. From club mountain bike rides to a crash course in inventory management, Team Bivo has always been willing and ready to wait for me to catch up.

When I applied for this job, it wasn't because I was obsessed with water bottles or had a longstanding passion for taking things in and out of boxes. I wanted to be part of a team that actually cares about the work and the people doing it. Six months in, I can report that my mission is complete: the culture here is exactly as good as it looks from the outside. They take their work seriously and themselves not at all.

Final report: the culture is real, my cover is blown, and I’m staying anyway.

My only complaint is that I haven’t been asked yet to star in a music video, but I’m sure that invite will come any day now.

2 Responses

Keaton Smith

October 08, 2026

Go Sam!!!

Faith

October 08, 2026

I LOVE this so much! Great writing about a great Vermont company. Thank you for sharing.

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