When runner and entrepreneur April Bolet couldn’t find a visor that matched her needs, she decided to make one herself – launching Run2Run, a Bat Cave–based brand built on persistence, creativity, and community connection. What started as a home-sewn prototype during the pandemic grew into a thriving small business thanks to April’s curiosity and drive to learn. From taking entrepreneurship classes with Mountain BizWorks and SBTDC, to connecting with mentors and manufacturers through the Outdoor Business Alliance. With local production partners LightHeart Gear and Excelsior Sewing, Run2Run now offers high-quality, washable visors and accessories designed for comfort and performance. April continues to weave purpose into her business by donating a portion of every sale to MANNA FoodBank and supporting #BatCaveStrong disaster relief efforts
1. Can you share the story behind Run2Run? What inspired you to start a business focused on running visors?
I was inspired to start Run2Run because I had a visor I liked that lost its elasticity and when I went online to look for a replacement, I could not find anything like it. So, that is when the idea came to mind and I knew enough about sewing to try to cobble together a prototype. Since we were in the middle of COVID and I was running high miles….comfort was a big desire of mine. Between that and learning about Instagram and seeing so many new startups …I decided to jump into the fray.
At the same time, I signed up for the Foundations class with Mountain Biz Works and had a great instructor, Brandy Mills, owner of Smallcakes in Biltmore Forest. Then I signed up in 2022 for “Taking the Leap” with SBTDC. In addition, my pattern maker Leigh Anne Hilbert suggested I take a course called “Sewn Goods 101” at the Carolina Textile District in Morganton, NC. And so, I was on my way with prototypes and then I incorporated my business in March of 2022.
2. What makes a Run2Run visor different from other headwear options out there?
The Run2Run visor was developed for comfort. This visor can go the distance, time wise, and still be comfortable. The visor is a fabric band made of poly/spandex. This fabric combination wicks sweat. The brim is plastic and so the whole visor can be washed. The Run2Run logo is a reflective material.
3. Your business gives back through donations to MANNA FoodBank. How did that partnership come about, and what does it mean to you?
A portion of every sale goes to Manna Food Bank. The partnership came out of my 5.5 years of volunteering at Manna, as well as that I am an Ambassador for the non-profit. Manna was the first place I learned about when I came to the AVL area and since I had fundraised in Miami for Feeding America (its parent). It was a natural fit. I want(ed) to give back to the community.
4. What’s one recent milestone, product launch, or moment that made you feel especially proud of Run2Run’s journey?
Recently, at the 2025 Ville2Ville Sprint Relay in Greenville, I had a runner who came to me and told me she had a “small” head and that none of the visors on the current market work for her. And when she tried on the Run2Run visor she was so happy. She reached out the day after the race via email to say, “I bought two of your visors at Ville2Ville yesterday and wore the blue one in my relay. I totally love it. I washed it in the washer today and am so pleased with the way it stayed its shape. Thank you so much for these visors.”
I’ve recently launched sleeves and gaiters in two of the visor colors (molten black and warm rain).
In addition to the visors, I live in Bat Cave, NC so I decided to create a t-shirt for our area #BatCaveStrong available on my website at www.run2rungear.com Our area was hit hard during Helene and it’s another way for me to give back as well. Three organizations benefit from a portion of sales: Bat Cave Fire Dept., Precision Grading and Jake Jarvis, and Bat Cave Disaster Relief.
5. How has being part of the Outdoor Business Alliance shaped your business or opened new opportunities?
It was through OBA (at the time Outdoor Gear Builders) that I reconnected with Judy Gross. She is the owner of LightHeart Gear and Excelsior Sewing. I had found a pattern maker for the visor but I needed a manufacturer. Judy told me to stop by and the rest is history. It has been the perfect fit, and it is with them that I have worked to develop the sleeves and gaiter. I work closely with Jewell Couch who can tell me if my ideas will work or not and they we give it a go.
I also worked with Luke Paulson, an OBA member and the Race Director for Jus Running’s “Flying Squirrel Ten Mile.” I came up with the idea to put the above tag line on the side of the visor for a pre-sale option when you sign up for the race. This was our first time working together on this project and he was willing to give it a go. This was my second year sponsoring this race. For the 2025 race, the Run2Run visor was one of prizes to the winning runners.
6. As someone who’s built a product from the ground up, what advice would you give to others who want to launch their own outdoor gear company?
Ask a lot of questions! Look at other companies that are similar if possible and reach out to them and ask questions. I had the luck that my pilates instructor knew Alyson Neal, owner of Blyss Running and an Outdoor Gear member. My conversations with her started in 2021. I can say that she was instrumental in me launching my company. I asked her a lot of questions. Blyss Running produced running skorts and tights. The fabric is similar and so she patiently answered a lot of my questions. We discussed manufacturing, textile companies and she is the reason that I trademarked my company name and watermark. In March, my company attended the Boston Run Show and Outdoor Expo at the Convention Center in Boston. There, I met Susan Clayton, the owner and creator of WhitePaws RunMitts – a thumbless mitten with a fold top. She manufactures in Baltimore, MD and we exist in a similar space in the athletic world. Super big shout out to Adam Smith the rep for Jambar in Asheville. He took a chance on me and placed his first order, Fall 2023, and my first big sale for visors to be given to the AVL Jambar Ambassadors. I had run the 2023 Idaph Half Marathon in March and he was a sponsor at the finish line and commented on my visor and the rest is history.
