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From her Kitchen to a $1.95 Billion Acquisition: Allison Ellsworth’s Incredible Poppi Journey
March 17, 2025
Written by
Jessi Anderson
Marketing & Creative Director
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.
The Allison Ellsworth Poppi story is a powerful example of what’s possible when innovation, persistence, and branding come together at the right time.
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
1. 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.
2. 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.
Related: 7 Reasons Why You Should Be Getting a Social Media Marketing Certificate From eCornell
3. 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.– 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Leveraging the Right Tools
She also gave a behind-the-scenes look at the business solutions she swears by.
Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? Sign up here for a free info session.
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.
FAQs
Q: Who is Allison Ellsworth?
A: Allison Ellsworth is the co-founder of Poppi, a prebiotic soda brand that grew from a kitchen experiment into a billion-dollar company acquired by PepsiCo.
Q: What is Poppi and why is it popular?
A: Poppi is a functional soda made with prebiotics for gut health. It gained popularity through strong branding, social media, and a focus on wellness.
Q: What was the PepsiCo Poppi acquisition?
A: PepsiCo acquired Poppi for $1.95 billion, marking a major milestone and highlighting the brand’s rapid growth and market impact.
Updated on: April 30, 2026
About the Author
Jessi Anderson
Marketing & Creative Director
Jessi Anderson is the Marketing & Creative Director at Entreprenista, where she drives innovative campaigns and creative strategies that inspire and connect women entrepreneurs within the community. With a keen eye for creativity and a deep understanding of marketing trends, Jessi plays a pivotal role in shaping the brand's identity. Her work at Entreprenista focuses on empowering women founders through engaging content and strategic marketing initiatives. Jessi's expertise spans developing campaigns that foster community engagement and support.
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