Search

17 oz Insulated Bivo Trio Mini

21 oz Insulated Bivo Trio

21 oz Non-Insulated Bivo One

25 oz Non-Insulated Bivo Duo

Bivo Collaborations

Life is wild. Keep it Fun.

March 10th, 2025 | A note from Carina and Robby

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

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

Header image credit: Joshua Strong

Life is Wild. Keep it Fun.

11 Responses

Cycle Mania Az

Cycle Mania Az

March 17, 2025

Great write-up. As a small business ourselves, we get it and hope we also survive all of this. Love the new colors (but bring back flamingo pink next year!) keep on keeping on.

Marley Jennings

Marley Jennings

March 13, 2025

Thank you for sharing Robby and Carina! I love your transparency and your approach to work and life! 💗

Stefanie

Stefanie

March 11, 2025

❤️ Thank you for sharing!

Jon Kohn

Jon Kohn

March 11, 2025

I enjoyed reading your timely post! This is a time for ALL of us to stand together, both small business and the general public. Small business should lobby our state representatives with their concerns. Being involved in the bike industry, the rise in tariffs will have an adverse impact on the already high prices experienced by our customers.

Rob Ringer

Rob Ringer

March 11, 2025

This was a great article. If your healthy perspective on work and life was adopted by more people and companies our world would be a better place in so many ways! Keep up the great vision. 😊

Tammy Ringer

Tammy Ringer

March 11, 2025

Love the honesty you continue to share with everyone. I see and hear firsthand your
concerns about the life we are all experiencing now but I hold on to hope for all of us. Your thoughts on Bivo, the transparency you share is refreshing, your thoughts on finding some fun amidst all the turmoil is uplifting. I will continue to support Bivo for so many reasons….as I’m sure many will. Robby and Carina you are the heart and soul of Bivo I will continue to believe in you two and what you are doing ♥️💦♥️now my Bivo and I are heading to the beach 😎💦😎

Carlin in Texas

Carlin in Texas

March 11, 2025

Keep On Keeping On, and Have Fun. Got It :)

Mary Ann

Mary Ann

March 11, 2025

That’s a beautiful picture of your work and your dedication to your product. I think we all need that reminder to gather closer to those who matter and support each other however we can. Resilience in the face of today’s challenges is our best way forward 💕

Rachel Cohen

Rachel Cohen

March 11, 2025

It’s inspiring to read what keeps your grounded in your values and the importance of seeking joy, especially in the tough seasons. Thank you for writing this.

David

David

March 11, 2025

Great article and thank you Carina and Robby for sharing your thoughts. Keep up the great work in this crazy world of what seems to be one crazy dumb man.

Allan Stonestreet

Allan Stonestreet

March 11, 2025

G Day Carina and Robby ,
Thankyou for sharing .
Really like the look of what you are doing with your Product !!!!

Best Regards
Allan Stonestreet
Carbuta Australia
Exclusive Distributors of Whyte Bikes , Occam , Green Oil , ASI Downunder

Leave a comment (all fields required)

Comments will be approved before showing up.