Sahara Flow is a local sustainable water bottle company created by Chapel Hill High School senior Nick Huger that intends to curb the number of single-use water bottles used in the community.
Huger wanted a name that encapsulated his hope for the company: to be stylish and refreshing.
“Sahara refers to the dry desert, where people can get really thirsty,” Huger said. “When you think of flow, you think cool and groovy or of the flow of water, so that counters the Sahara part.”
Products from Sahara Flow—the self-proclaimed “Official Company of Vibing”—include a travel tumbler with a tea infuser, both tall and short travel mugs and a coffee cup, all made with grade-A stainless steel and wrapped in authentic bamboo.
Sahara Flow offers free shipping for all products in an effort to make the change to a reusable water bottle easier and to eliminate extra costs to consumers.
“The bottles are also unisex, so [our products aren’t] geared towards one gender or age; anyone can have this water bottle or mug,” Huger said.
Huger conceptualized the company in 2019 and launched the products on his birthday in 2020. He manages all product preparation and shipping himself.
“On my birthday, I had 400 bottles sitting in my room, and I have just been selling them from my house,” Huger said.
Sahara Flow is a foot-in-the-door venture to kick-start Huger’s experience as a business owner, as he hopes to eventually start and own his own sailboat charter company.
“I have always had a knack for business; I am currently the vice-president of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club and am co-teaching there,” Huger said.
Business and finance teacher Algie Brodnax, who is also the faculty advisor of the FBLA, believes Huger is “one of a kind.”
“He is a special kid who is going places with his business,” Brodnax said.
Senior Julian Brown bought a tea infuser, a tall travel mug, and a short mug last year and used them as gifts for his friends. This year, he bought a tall travel mug for himself.
“[The bottle] works really well and I like the fact that it is made of bamboo,” Brown said. “I also like being able to support a friend’s business through my purchases.”
Products can be viewed at saharaflow.com, as well as on Instagram at sahara_flow.
