Frustrated by the unnecessary waste generated by continually replacing water bottles, Rebecca and Tim Bligh set out to build a business that does things differently, with a mission to support the global shift to reusable drinking containers. At Ever Vessel, they are dedicated to producing high-quality products with well-researched and purposeful designs. Through simplicity and by using proven materials like stainless steel and borosilicate glass, each vessel is designed to be versatile, easy to clean and built to last. Here Rebecca talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind their business, their biggest breakthrough, the challenges they have overcome, and their hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
We’ve always been a couple that believed in the “Buy It for Life” philosophy, where quality matters more than quantity. After our daughter was born, we travelled along Australia’s east coast on a small yacht, with limited space for essentials. Each item we took with us was vetted and considered before coming onboard. Our travels highlighted the need for high-quality water bottles that wouldn’t grow mould in straws and crevices because they were too difficult to clean. Frustrated with our experience, we wanted a reusable, durable, stainless steel water bottle that could handle cold water, hot tea, or even a straw-eliminating the need for multiple products and reducing the waste and replacement cycle. We looked everywhere for this type of bottle but couldn’t find one that ticked all the boxes.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
Inspired by this challenge and determined to make a difference, we set out to create a simple, functional, and multi-purpose bottle that could stand the test of time and be truly reusable.
This vision led to Ever Vessel, a small business that is dedicated to producing high-quality products with simple purposeful designs.
After more than two years of research and development, we launched Ever Vessel‘s first range of high-quality drinkware in 2022. Our stainless steel and glass water bottles are thoughtfully designed to be easy to clean and perfect for everyday use. The initial lineup included:
- The Mini – a small and slim stainless steel water bottle small enough to fit handbags and take with you everywhere.
- The Multi – double-wall vacuum insulated water bottle with stainless steel accessories including a tea infuser, whisk balls, and a straw for multipurpose use.
- Glass Multi – a double-wall insulted borosilicate glass water bottle with a tea infuser, perfect for tea lovers who prefer the drinking experience from glass.
This range also has a unique lid design with inner stainless-steel plate to keep plastic out of direct contact with your beverage. Our products use durable materials as well as BPA and phthalate free to ensure a clean drinking experience.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
We highly value feedback from people within our vessel community. One common request after we launched was for a larger capacity water bottle, which led to the development of our Super Maxi-a durable, dishwasher-safe water bottle that holds just over a litre. It has a sleek integrated handle for effortless carrying and a flip top lid for easy drinking.
After an initial trial of the design, the Super Maxi was officially launched in November 2024 and has been a crowd pleaser! With its minimalistic design and signature Ever Vessel water drop dimple, it won a 2024 Australian Good Design Award for its exceptional product design prioritising user experience in drinking, cleaning, and portability.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
As all parents know, balancing work and family is an ongoing effort, but we wouldn’t want it any other way! Working from home allows us the flexibility to schedule around family activities like school drop-offs and walking our energetic dog, and often working in the evenings when the house is quiet.
Dinners are an important daily ritual in our family where we come together to connect and share our day’s highs and lows over nutritious food in a technology-free zone.
