From Near-Miss to Can’t-Miss: How a Motorcycle Accident Sparked a Visibility Revolution

What if the biggest risk isn’t falling, but staying invisible? After a near-accident on his motorcycle, Gonzalo Zamora, the co-founder of Riderbag, realized his black backpack was blocking out his reflective gear and decided to invent the solution himself. With his longtime friend and co-founder Carlos Colarte, Gonzalo turned a pencil sketch into a global product, navigating missteps, cash-flow challenges, and the risk of standing out in a crowded market.

In this special bilingual episode of This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez blends Spanish and English in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month as she dives into Gonzalo and Carlos’s journey. From the crash that started it all, to the friendship that became a business, to the lessons learned about visibility both on the road and in entrepreneurship, their story is a reminder that staying hidden can be riskier than stepping into the spotlight.

If you’d prefer to listen fully in English, you’ll also find an English-only version of this episode in your feed!

Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

(1:00) How can a single accident inspire a business idea? Gonzalo shares the moment on his motorcycle that pushed him to invent Riderbag.

(4:48) Can friendship really be the foundation of a company? Gonzalo and Carlos explain how a chance reunion turned into a lasting partnership.

(08:47) How do you create a prototype when you have no design background? Gonzalo reveals the scrappy first steps that turned sketches into samples.

(10:36) What details make a product stand out in a crowded market? From glove-friendly zippers to hidden safety features, Riderbag shows why small touches matter.

(14:14) What’s the costliest marketing mistake small businesses make? Carlos and Gonzalo recount the costly lesson that reshaped how they invest.

(17:01) How do you know when it’s time to expand internationally? Carlos shares the turning point that convinced them to take Riderbag global.

(18:28) What’s the best proof that your business is on the right track? For Gonzalo, the numbers told one story but customer reviews told another.

(21:50) What does the future of Riderbag look like? Gonzalo and Carlos talk about dreaming beyond backpacks while staying true to their purpose.

(23:15) Are entrepreneurs natural risk-takers or risk managers? Carlos embraces risk, while Gonzalo takes a more cautious approach and together they balance both.