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There’s a lot of uncertainty in the world right now—education funding getting cut, tariffs being added, taken away, added again, and then increased. The stock market is unpredictable, economic disparities are growing, and significant financial influence plays a major role in shaping government decisions. When tariffs first became a talking point, we got calls and texts from friends and family asking if Bivo would be alright and today, we thought it would be good to share how it feels to be a small business in today’s world.

We’ll cut to the chase—we believe in what we’re building, and we’ll be okay. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t nervous. We feel it every day—the weight of unpredictability, the challenge of running a small business in an economy that seems to shift overnight.

We’ve spent years working in manufacturing, building relationships with partners around the world—from China to Thailand, Mexico, South Korea, the Dominican Republic, and yes, the U.S. When we started Bivo, we searched for the best manufacturing partner, considering every option, including domestic production. But with an estimated 95%+ of the world’s stainless steel bottles being produced in a single region of China, the reality was clear. The only U.S. factory willing to consider making our bottles quoted us at least $50 per bottle—an unsustainable cost for what we wanted to create.

This isn’t about justifying where we manufacture; it’s about transparency. We work with a partner who is ISO 9001 and 14001 certified, runs on solar power, treats wastewater responsibly, and produces high-quality products. The choices we make are intentional, and they reflect our values. But beyond that, we wanted to share what it feels like to be a small business in today’s world.

We’ve always worked best in chaos—it’s probably why we were crazy enough to start Bivo in the first place. But even for those of us who embrace challenges, today’s landscape feels different. The shifting economy, unpredictable policies, and global instability make long-term planning harder than ever. Small businesses don’t have billion-dollar (or even $100K) buffers. We have to stay nimble, problem-solve in real time, and keep pushing forward.

At the same time, this uncertainty reminds us why we do what we do. We believe in building something real—products with purpose, made the right way, for people who care. We’ve weathered storms before, and we’ll weather more. But we won’t pretend it’s easy.

So how do we keep going? By holding onto what grounds us.

For us, that’s having fun outside and in the office. We are going to get creative in how we navigate today’s world. Test new ideas, speak up, think differently than we did even one month ago. It’s also about hitting the nordic ski trails, finding joy on the bike, pausing for the view during a run, or playing hide-and-seek with our kids on a hike. In those moments, the noise fades. The weight of uncertainty lifts, replaced by movement, laughter, and the simple joy of being alive.

That’s the energy we built Bivo on. Sure, we make bottles—but Bivo is more than just a bottle. It’s a reminder to embrace adventure and uncertainty, to let fun be an anchor through the chaos, and to find resilience in the joy of movement.

And let’s be clear: Seeking joy doesn’t mean ignoring the challenges in front of us. Quite the opposite. If anything, these moments of clarity help us show up stronger—for our communities, for the causes we believe in, for the work that needs to be done. It’s okay to seek calm within the storm. Resilience is essential to survival, and joy is fuel for the fight.

So, as we navigate the wildness of life as a brand and as people, we vow to always keep it fun, to stand up for what matters, and to support the communities around us. Because at the end of the day, it’s all about relationships—building trust, fostering progress, and pushing forward together.

Thanks for being here. You all are amazing.

Carina & Robby

Header image credit: Joshua Strong