Curated for the Current Continues

Some of the most interesting stories in the dive industry begin with someone recognizing an opportunity to do things differently. Whether it's improving equipment, challenging longstanding conventions, or making diving more accessible, innovation often starts with a simple question: Why hasn't anyone done this better?

That spirit of innovation is at the heart of Bright Buoy, a dive gear company founded by Shannon, whose passion for the underwater world is matched by her determination to make it more welcoming, inclusive, and colorful.

Bright Buoy has carved out its own space in the industry with vibrant silicone weight belts, recycled lead weights, beautifully designed masks and snorkels, and accessories that bring a refreshing sense of personality to dive equipment. The products are practical and thoughtfully designed, but they also challenge the idea that functional dive gear needs to look or feel a certain way.

When I had the opportunity to speak with Shannon, I was particularly interested in the story behind the brand. Our conversation went well beyond equipment design and product development, touching on confidence, community, and the experiences that shape our relationships with diving. Her enthusiasm for what she's building was infectious, and it quickly became clear that Bright Buoy represents something much more personal than another collection of dive accessories.

At its core, Bright Buoy grew from a problem Shannon experienced firsthand and a determination to create something better. Understanding that experience offers a fascinating look at how one diver's frustration became the foundation for a brand with a much bigger vision.

A Leap of Faith

For Shannon, the journey that eventually led to Bright Buoy began with a life-changing decision. She and her family sold everything they owned in Chicago and relocated to Hawaiʻi, trading a familiar life in the Midwest for an entirely new beginning in the Pacific.

The decision was deeply personal. Shannon's daughter, who is autistic, had found a remarkable sense of comfort and happiness in nature, particularly around the ocean. Moving to Hawaiʻi offered the family an opportunity to build a lifestyle that better supported her well-being, with greater access to the natural environments where she felt most at ease. What began as a decision centered on family would eventually transform Shannon's own relationship with the ocean in ways she never anticipated.

Ironically, despite moving to an island surrounded by some of the world's most extraordinary marine environments, Shannon was terrified of the open ocean. Rather than continuing to avoid it, she decided to confront that fear through an experience that might seem counterintuitive to most people: a shark dive. That encounter became a turning point, replacing much of her apprehension with a newfound curiosity about the underwater world. When someone later suggested she try freediving, Shannon embraced the opportunity, completed her training, and discovered a passion that would ultimately change the direction of her career.

As she became more involved in freediving, however, she encountered frustrations that many divers will recognize. Finding equipment that combined quality, practicality, and reliable availability proved more difficult than she expected. Certain products were difficult to source, others lacked the functionality she wanted, and the available options left her questioning why the experience of purchasing dive equipment couldn't be better.

With a professional background in supply chain consulting, Shannon approached those frustrations with the curiosity and analytical mindset that had shaped her career. She began researching manufacturers, evaluating materials and production methods, and exploring how existing equipment designs might be improved. Her interest gradually evolved from finding better gear for herself to understanding what it would take to develop products that addressed the challenges she had experienced firsthand.

Bright Buoy wasn't the result of a carefully mapped-out plan to enter the dive industry. The business emerged organically from Shannon's experiences as a new freediver, her professional expertise, and her willingness to question why certain aspects of dive equipment had remained unchanged. A move originally intended to create a better life for her family had unexpectedly opened the door to an entirely new professional and personal adventure.

Add Bright Buoy’s origin momentMake the ending more forward-looking

Building Something Different

Transforming an idea into a successful business requires considerably more than identifying a gap in the market. For Shannon, building Bright Buoy meant learning the complexities of an entirely new industry while drawing on the supply chain expertise she had developed throughout her professional career. What initially began as a personal interest in improving freediving equipment gradually evolved into a much more ambitious undertaking.

Determined to understand the products she wanted to create, Shannon immersed herself in manufacturing, material selection, quality control, and supplier relationships. One of the most significant steps came when she purchased an existing business that included a lead melting facility in Oregon. Rather than simply acquiring the operation and outsourcing production, Shannon and her husband spent time learning directly from experienced industry professionals, gaining firsthand knowledge of the processes involved in manufacturing dive weights. That experience provided a valuable foundation as they established their own warehouse and began developing Bright Buoy's product offerings.

When Bright Buoy officially launched in 2024, much of the operation was run from Shannon's garage. Although the business had modest beginnings, Shannon recognized the advantages of growing at a manageable pace. Starting small allowed her to remain closely involved in product development, evaluate materials and manufacturing decisions, and establish the standards she wanted the company to maintain. Rather than rushing to expand, she focused on creating equipment she believed in and building a business that reflected her priorities.

By August 2025, Bright Buoy had reached another important milestone with the opening of its Hawaiʻi facility. The new space represented more than an expansion of the company's operations. Shannon envisioned a place where divers could connect, ask questions, explore equipment, and feel genuinely welcome regardless of their experience level.

That philosophy is reflected in the atmosphere she has worked to create. Conversations about equipment naturally evolve into stories from recent dives, recommendations for local sites, and discussions about upcoming adventures. Experienced divers share their knowledge, while newcomers have the opportunity to ask questions without feeling intimidated or pressured to make a purchase. Shannon understands how overwhelming entering a new sport can feel, particularly when navigating unfamiliar equipment and an industry that doesn't always make beginners feel included.

What makes Bright Buoy interesting isn't simply that Shannon set out to build better dive equipment. She has been equally intentional about the kind of experience she wants people to have with the brand. From the products she develops to the relationships she cultivates with customers, her approach reflects a belief that quality equipment and a welcoming community should go hand in hand. For a business that began in a garage, that commitment has become an important part of Bright Buoy's identity.

The Little Things Matter

One of the most interesting parts of my conversation with Shannon was discovering just how much thought goes into equipment that many divers rarely give a second consideration. Weight belts, for example, are an essential part of freediving and certain scuba configurations, yet their design and functionality are often taken for granted. For Shannon, even the simplest pieces of equipment present opportunities for improvement.

Bright Buoy's silicone weight belts are a perfect example of that philosophy. Unlike traditional nylon webbing, silicone offers flexibility and grip, helping the belt conform comfortably to the diver's body while reducing unwanted movement during a dive. For freedivers in particular, maintaining a secure, comfortable fit as their bodies compress with depth is an important consideration. Shannon has devoted considerable attention to the materials, construction, and practical details that influence how these belts perform in the water. The vibrant color options add another dimension, allowing divers to personalize their equipment without compromising its intended functionality.

That same attention to detail extends to Bright Buoy's recycled lead weights, which are available in a variety of sizes and colors. By incorporating recycled lead into its manufacturing process, the company is finding a practical use for an existing material while offering divers more choices in how they configure their weighting systems. The ability to coordinate weights and belts may seem like a small detail, but it's part of Bright Buoy's broader approach to creating equipment that combines function with individual expression.

The company's expanding collection also includes intricately designed silicone masks and snorkels, with clear and tinted lens options, dive socks, and other accessories developed with the needs of divers in mind. Throughout our conversation, Shannon spoke about the considerations behind product development, from evaluating materials and manufacturing techniques to refining designs based on how equipment actually performs underwater. Her approach reflects an understanding that even seemingly minor adjustments can make a meaningful difference in comfort, usability, and the overall diving experience.

What I found particularly refreshing was Shannon's willingness to challenge the assumption that dive equipment must be purely utilitarian. Performance and reliability remain essential, but there's no reason equipment can't also reflect the personality of the person wearing it. For an industry where black equipment has long dominated the shelves, Bright Buoy's colorful designs offer a welcome alternative without losing sight of the practical demands of diving.

Beyond the products themselves, another aspect of Bright Buoy that deserves recognition is Shannon's commitment to supporting fellow small business owners. She's constantly seeking opportunities to collaborate with independent brands, introduce their products to the diving community, and help other entrepreneurs gain visibility. Rather than viewing other small businesses as competition, Shannon recognizes the value of working together and creating opportunities for everyone to succeed. That collaborative approach has become an important part of what makes Bright Buoy special.

Over time, Shannon has cultivated a genuinely welcoming community around the brand. Her Hawaiʻi shop has become more than a place to purchase equipment. It's a space where divers can exchange stories, discover new products, connect with local businesses, and build friendships through their shared love of the ocean. Whether someone is an experienced freediver, a scuba instructor, or simply curious about getting started, Shannon has worked to create an environment where people feel comfortable asking questions and becoming part of the community. As someone who has built my own small business around bringing divers together, I particularly appreciate the effort she puts into fostering those connections.

What makes Bright Buoy stand out is the care Shannon puts into both the equipment she creates and the relationships she builds. Her approach to product development begins with understanding the people who will use the gear, while her approach to business reflects a genuine desire to see the wider diving community thrive. Sometimes meaningful innovation isn't about inventing something entirely new. It's about improving what already exists, supporting the people around you, and creating something that makes the experience better for everyone.

Giving Old Lead a New Life

One of the most interesting aspects of Bright Buoy's story is how Shannon has approached sustainability through the manufacturing process itself. Lead has been used in diving equipment for decades because of its density and durability, but producing and disposing of it carries environmental responsibilities. Rather than relying on newly mined lead, Bright Buoy manufactures its dive weights using 100% recycled lead, finding new uses for material that already exists.

The sources of that recycled lead are particularly fascinating. Bright Buoy has developed relationships with salvage yards and recycling operations throughout Hawaiʻi, recovering lead from decommissioned sailboat keels, spent ammunition, and other existing sources. Old sailboats that once traveled across the ocean can now contribute to the equipment divers use to explore it. Through its manufacturing process, recovered lead is melted, cast into new dive weights, and finished with a protective coating in a variety of vibrant colors.

Shannon has also found a way to involve the diving community directly in that process. Bright Buoy participates in ocean cleanup efforts where divers recover discarded fishing weights and other debris from marine environments. During a March 2025 cleanup at China Walls on Oʻahu, organized by One Ocean Conservation, volunteers removed lost fishing gear, tangled lines, and lead weights from the reef. Rather than allowing the recovered lead to become another waste product, Bright Buoy repurposes suitable material into new diving weights.

I particularly appreciate the idea that divers can contribute to this process themselves. Old dive weights and recovered fishing lead may no longer serve their original purpose, but they still contain valuable material that can be responsibly recycled. Shannon has worked to connect those recovery efforts with Bright Buoy's manufacturing, creating opportunities for the diving community to participate in reducing waste.

Of course, recycling lead doesn't eliminate the environmental considerations associated with the material. Lead remains toxic, and responsible processing, handling, and disposal are essential. However, recovering existing lead and returning it to productive use offers a practical alternative to relying entirely on newly extracted resources, while helping remove discarded material from the environment.

What stands out to me is that Shannon has found a way to connect manufacturing, ocean conservation, and community participation through something as ordinary as a dive weight. Her approach demonstrates that sustainability doesn't always require reinventing an entire industry. Sometimes meaningful progress comes from reconsidering where our materials originate, what happens to them when they're no longer needed, and how we can make better use of the resources already available.

For a company inspired by a love of the ocean, giving old lead a new purpose feels like a particularly fitting way to help protect the environments we love exploring.

Community Over Competition

Throughout my conversation with Shannon, one theme continued to emerge: the importance of building a community where small businesses support one another rather than compete for the same opportunities. For Shannon, collaboration isn't simply a business strategy. It's a reflection of the kind of dive industry she wants to help create, one where independent brands, entrepreneurs, and ocean advocates can grow together.

That philosophy is evident in the businesses Bright Buoy chooses to support. Alongside its own products, the company carries thoughtfully selected items from other independent brands that share similar values. Coconut Smuggler, a women-owned business based in San Diego, creates coconut-based hair care products suited to life in and around saltwater. Oceaner, a family-owned Canadian company, has built its reputation on handcrafted wetsuits and a longstanding commitment to quality. Artists, conservation advocates, and other ocean-inspired creators are also part of the growing network of businesses Shannon has brought together through Bright Buoy.

What makes this approach particularly meaningful is that Shannon isn't simply filling shelves with products. She's using her business to introduce customers to people and brands they might never have discovered otherwise. For smaller companies, gaining visibility and connecting with the right audience can be one of the greatest challenges of building a business. By sharing her platform and creating opportunities for collaboration, Shannon is helping other entrepreneurs reach a community that already appreciates the ocean and the people working within the industry.

Her commitment to building those relationships extends well beyond Hawaiʻi. During our conversation, Shannon shared the story of traveling to Australia to connect with dive businesses whose values and vision aligned with her own. That experience helped establish a partnership with Divermonart, demonstrating how a shared passion for diving can create meaningful professional relationships across the world. Rather than approaching other businesses as competitors, Shannon actively seeks opportunities to learn from them, collaborate, and find ways to support their success.

As Shannon explained, “We can all work together and support each other. That's how we create real change.”

That sentiment particularly resonated with me because it's something I've believed throughout my own journey building Seaira Dives. The dive industry is filled with passionate people doing extraordinary things, yet there can sometimes be an unnecessary sense of competition between businesses and professionals. I've never believed that someone else's success needs to come at the expense of my own. There is room for different approaches, different specialties, and different businesses to thrive, particularly when we're all working toward the shared goal of introducing more people to the underwater world.

Some of the most rewarding opportunities I've experienced have come from collaborating with other dive professionals, supporting fellow small business owners, and building relationships with people who genuinely want to see one another succeed. Those connections create opportunities that wouldn't necessarily exist if everyone operated independently or viewed every other business as a rival. They also make this industry a far more enjoyable and welcoming place to be.

Shannon has taken that philosophy and made it a tangible part of Bright Buoy's identity. Through the brands she carries, the partnerships she develops, and the community she's cultivated in Hawaiʻi, she's demonstrating that building a successful business and helping others succeed are not mutually exclusive. In an industry built around a shared love of the ocean, that spirit of collaboration is something worth celebrating.

Everyone Starts Somewhere

Walking into a dive shop for the first time can be an intimidating experience. Between unfamiliar equipment, technical terminology, and conversations among experienced divers, newcomers can easily feel overwhelmed before they've even entered the water. Every experienced diver was once a beginner, but unfortunately, it's easy to forget what those first steps felt like.

One of the things I particularly appreciated about Shannon's approach to Bright Buoy is her understanding of how important those early experiences can be. Having discovered freediving after overcoming her own fear of the open ocean, she knows firsthand how much courage it can take to try something unfamiliar. That perspective has influenced the environment she's worked to create, where curiosity is encouraged, questions are welcomed, and experience is never treated as a prerequisite for belonging.

Whether someone is choosing their first mask, trying to understand how a weight belt should fit, or comparing equipment for their next adventure, Shannon and her team approach those conversations with patience and genuine enthusiasm. The goal isn't simply to help someone make a purchase, but to ensure they understand their options and feel comfortable making informed decisions. For new divers especially, having access to knowledgeable people who are willing to explain the details without making anyone feel inexperienced can make an enormous difference.

During our conversation, Shannon shared something that I found particularly meaningful. Some of her favorite customers aren't necessarily the divers with years of experience or an impressive collection of certifications. They're the people who arrive feeling a little nervous, perhaps unsure of what they need, but excited about discovering something new. Shannon recognizes that mixture of apprehension and enthusiasm because she experienced it herself when she first began exploring the underwater world.

As an instructor, that perspective really resonated with me. I've worked with divers at every stage of their education, from students taking their first breaths underwater to experienced professionals preparing to become instructors themselves. Some of the most rewarding moments have nothing to do with earning a certification or completing a particularly challenging dive. They come from watching someone who initially doubted their abilities begin to recognize what they're capable of accomplishing. Confidence often develops through a series of small, positive experiences, and the people we encounter along the way can have a lasting influence on whether we continue exploring the sport.

Dive shops and equipment retailers play an important role in that experience. They're often among the first places someone turns when considering freediving or scuba diving, and the interactions that happen there can shape a newcomer's perception of the entire diving community. A welcoming conversation, a thoughtful explanation, or simply taking someone's questions seriously can help transform an intimidating experience into an exciting one.

What Shannon has created with Bright Buoy reflects a simple but important belief: everyone deserves to feel like they belong in the diving community, regardless of where they're starting. By making education, encouragement, and genuine human connection part of the customer experience, she's helping people develop the confidence to take their next steps into the underwater world. For someone whose own journey began with overcoming a fear of the ocean, there's something especially meaningful about now helping others discover the same sense of possibility.

Growing With Purpose

Bright Buoy has come a long way from its beginnings in Shannon's garage. What started as an unexpected career change has become a thriving business with its own manufacturing operations, a growing collection of products, and partnerships extending well beyond Hawaiʻi. Yet despite that progress, Shannon's enthusiasm for the work remains rooted in the experiences that first drew her to the ocean.

Her plans include strengthening relationships with dive professionals, introducing customers to independent brands, and creating more opportunities for small business owners to connect. Shannon is especially passionate about supporting women entrepreneurs, recognizing the challenges of establishing a business and the value of having others willing to share their experience and encouragement.

Throughout our conversation, I was struck by how naturally Shannon moved between discussing the practical realities of running a business and the personal experiences that have shaped her journey. She spoke with equal enthusiasm about manufacturing, the entrepreneurs she's met along the way, and the excitement of helping someone discover freediving for the first time. Her story reflects an impressive willingness to embrace unfamiliar challenges, learn new skills, and pursue opportunities she might never have imagined before moving to Hawaiʻi.

Perhaps what I appreciated most was that Shannon doesn't seem particularly interested in defining success through conventional measures alone. The relationships she's developed, the opportunities she's helped create for others, and the satisfaction of building a business around something she genuinely loves are all meaningful parts of what she's accomplished.

From someone who once feared the open ocean to the founder of a dive equipment company, Shannon's journey is a wonderful example of how unexpectedly life can change when we're willing to step outside our comfort zones. Bright Buoy may have started with a search for better equipment, but the story behind it is ultimately about curiosity, determination, and discovering a passion that opened doors she never expected.

And With That…

One of my favorite parts of Curated for the Current is discovering the stories behind the people shaping the dive industry. Shannon's journey is a wonderful reminder that sometimes the most unexpected experiences lead us somewhere extraordinary.

When Shannon moved to Hawaiʻi, she was terrified of the open ocean. Today, she's a passionate freediver and the founder of Bright Buoy, a company bringing color, creativity, and fresh perspectives to dive equipment.

What impressed me most wasn't simply the business she's built, but how she's chosen to build it. From transforming recycled lead into new dive weights to championing independent brands and welcoming newcomers, Shannon has created something that reflects her values as much as her passion for the ocean.

As a fellow small business owner, I have tremendous respect for the determination it takes to turn an idea into reality, especially while finding ways to lift others up along the way.

Shannon once had to find the courage to enter the ocean. Today, through Bright Buoy, she's helping others find the confidence to explore it.

I think that's a pretty remarkable full-circle moment.