Inside Poppi with Stephen Ellsworth: From Kitchen Experiment to $1.95 Billion Exit

When Stephen and Allison Ellsworth started mixing apple cider vinegar and fruit in their Texas kitchen, they weren’t chasing a billion-dollar idea. They were solving a problem.

That kitchen experiment became Poppi, the prebiotic soda that redefined modern wellness and made healthy taste cool. From farmers markets to Shark Tank, from rebranding Mother Beverage into Poppi, to an $11 million Super Bowl gamble that changed everything — this is the story behind one of the most iconic beverage brands of the decade.

In this episode of The Hustle by Hanna, Stephen Ellsworth shares how Poppi built community, culture, and category leadership, leading to a $1.95 billion acquisition by PepsiCo.

You’ll learn:
• How Poppi transformed authenticity into brand equity
• The pivotal TikTok moment that changed their trajectory
• The risks and payoffs behind their Super Bowl ad
• What it takes to scale culture while scaling growth
• The founder mindset that led to a billion-dollar exit

Poppi didn’t just build a brand. It built a movement.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more founder stories that blend grit, growth, and purpose.

#TheHustleByHanna