Ep 311 | Allison Ellsworth

Written By Yasmin Nouri

Poppi Founder: From Broke to Shark Tank & Building a Viral Brand From Her Kitchen

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Allison Ellsworth is the co-founder of Poppi, a better for you soda brand that is revolutionizing the next generation. 

Allison always knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur, but her journey began in the oil and gas industry, where she spent years on the road building a successful career. During this time, she struggled with bloating and other gut health issues, inspiring her to take charge of her wellness. Determined to improve her health, she adopted a clean diet, started hitting the gym, and discovered the benefits of apple cider vinegar. However, she wasn’t a fan of its taste and sought a way to make it more enjoyable.

Allison created an apple cider vinegar-based soda called "Mother Beverage" in her kitchen and quit her day job—nearly going broke while selling the drink at her local farmers' market. After an appearance on Shark Tank while nine months pregnant and a complete product rebrand, the prebiotic soda became "Poppi," the viral, #1 selling soda on Amazon with over 2 billion TikTok views and the most-watched Super Bowl ad this year.

In this week’s episode, Allison shares her incredible journey, from leaving a stable job to risking it all to start her own business—without any prior experience. She reveals how she created her first drink in her kitchen, started selling it at farmers' markets, and managed to get it onto Whole Foods shelves with zero connections. With a “say yes before you’re ready” attitude, Allison took a leap of faith, trusting it was the right path for her. When she needed more capital, she pursued her dream of appearing on Shark Tank, landing a deal while nine months pregnant with her second baby. Allison breaks down why they decided to rebrand Poppi, how they executed a successful relaunch during the pandemic, the social media strategies that helped them grow awareness and build a loyal community, and so much more.

Show Notes:

  • Saying "yes" and figuring things out can lead to success. [03:02]

  • Allison’s career journey and how it shaped her. [04:22]

  • Finding your passion is key to entrepreneurial success. [07:02]

  • How Allison’s health journey inspired her to create Poppi. [08:51]

  • Starting as a hobby and turning it into a product. [11:40]

  • Self-funding, entering Whole Foods, and joining Shark Tank. [13:46]

  • Pivoting to work on Poppi full-time. [14:51]

  • Allison’s experience on Shark Tank. [18:19]

  • Preparing for Shark Tank while pregnant. [21:23]

  • Poppi’s rebranding as a strategy for growth. [22:37]

  • Persistence and adaptability are essential for entrepreneurship. [24:55]

  • Taste is crucial in the beverage industry. [27:25]

  • With over 2 billion TikTok views, authenticity in social media builds a strong community. [30:06]

  • Allison’s first viral TikTok video. [32:01]

  • Approach content creation with fun and experimentation. [35:56]

  • Prioritize mental health and learn to say "no." [41:54]

  • Allison’s experience bringing in a CEO. [44:17]

  • Rapid business growth requires personal growth and adaptability. [47:22]

  • Managing burnout by prioritizing self-care. [49:58]

  • Future plans for Poppi. [52:11]

  • Let go of “should haves” and focus on your priorities. [53:27]

This episode is brought to you by Beeya:

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