From her Kitchen to a $1.95 Billion Acquisition: Allison Ellsworth’s Incredible Poppi Journey

Imagine starting your business in your home, perfecting a product in your kitchen, landing a deal on Shark Tank, and then scaling your company to a $1.95 billion acquisition by PepsiCo. That dream is Allison Ellsworth’s reality, and today, we’re celebrating this monumental milestone for Allison and the Poppi team.

PepsiCo’s acquisition of Poppi is a testament to the power of innovation, persistence, and branding. What started as a personal health journey for Allison—creating a prebiotic soda to improve gut health—quickly turned into a billion-dollar brand that has reshaped the functional beverage market.

We sat down with Allison on the Entreprenista Podcast just a few months ago, and she shared all her business secrets. If you’re an entrepreneur, take notes—because her insights are business-changing.

Allison’s Secrets to Scaling a Billion-Dollar Brand

Authenticity in Branding – Allison built Poppi by staying true to her mission and story. She emphasized that being real and relatable resonates with consumers more than anything else. Her journey, from kitchen experiments to nationwide shelves, was a key part of Poppi’s brand identity.

Mastering Social Media – Poppi didn’t just participate in social media; it dominated it. Allison leveraged TikTok and Instagram to build brand awareness, proving that engaging, authentic content can turn a small business into a household name.

Securing the Right Investors – After landing a deal with Rohan Oza on Shark Tank, Allison strategically built relationships with investors who aligned with her vision. She didn’t just raise capital—she raised it smartly, partnering with people who could help scale the brand.

Finding the Right Manufacturers – Allison spoke about the challenges of sourcing and scaling production, a critical factor for any product-based business. She emphasized the importance of vetting partners, negotiating smartly, and always keeping quality a priority.

Work-Life Balance and Mindset – Scaling a company at this level comes with pressure. Allison candidly shared how she’s learned to set boundaries, prioritize self-care, and manage the highs and lows of entrepreneurship—an important lesson for founders at any stage.

Leveraging the Right Tools – She also gave a behind-the-scenes look at the business solutions she swears by.

A Huge Entreprenista Congratulations to Allison

Allison’s journey is a true Entreprenista success story—one that proves that with passion, grit, and the right strategy, anything is possible.

Her advice for founders? "Stay authentic, embrace social media, and never stop learning."

We can’t wait to see what’s next for Allison and Poppi under the PepsiCo umbrella. Until then, we’ll be raising a glass of Poppi to this incredible milestone.

Allison is a judge of this year’s Entreprenista 100 Awards and she can’t wait to read your applications! If you haven’t yet completed your application, you can apply here before Wednesday, March 19th! 

Listen to our full conversation with Allison on The Entreprenista Podcast here.