Poppi Co-Founder Allison Ellsworth: Sacrificing Work-Life Balance for Success Paid Off

Poppi, the prebiotic soda brand, has seen remarkable growth since its debut on Shark Tank in 2018 under its original name, Mother Beverage. Co-founders Allison and Stephen Ellsworth took bold risks to build the company from the ground up.

Allison Ellsworth shared their journey in an interview, revealing how they maxed out credit cards, sold one of their cars to fund bottling, and even opened their own manufacturing facility. In the first year alone, the couple invested $90,000 into the business. Meanwhile, Stephen worked multiple gigs to keep up with their mortgage payments.

Within just 18 months of launching Mother Beverage, the Ellsworths generated half a million dollars in revenue. Their hard work caught the attention of investor Rohan Oza, who struck a deal with them on Shark Tank. This led to a rebranding as Poppi.

Balancing business growth with personal life was no easy feat. Allison was pregnant during this period, and the couple was raising their children while managing early morning Zoom meetings and school drop-offs. Despite the chaos, she embraced the challenge.

"I think it’s OK to live in chaos, and to like it," Ellsworth told the Wall Street Journal. "A lot of people talk about work-life balance. I think if you want to be successful, you kind of have to sacrifice that."

Her perspective challenges the conventional notion of work-life balance, especially as surveys reveal conflicting priorities among workers. A 2024 survey found that 85% of people valued work-life balance over pay, yet another 2025 survey showed that 65% believed sacrificing balance was necessary for success.

For the Ellsworths, the gamble paid off. Poppi’s TikTok marketing during the pandemic, combined with its vibrant packaging and flavor variety, cultivated a loyal customer base. The brand positioned itself as a healthier alternative to traditional sodas, fueling its rapid expansion.

In 2024, the Ellsworths achieved centimillionaire status when they sold Poppi to PepsiCo for nearly $2 billion. However, the exit came with unexpected emotions. "People don’t talk about the post-exit blues," Ellsworth admitted. A year later, she reflected on the transition, feeling more content and ready to embark on their next venture.

"It almost takes a year, when you get that amount of wealth, to set it up correctly," Ellsworth said. "We didn’t know how rich we were. You don’t know how rich you are until you start spending money. I was like, ‘Am I spending too much money on clothes? Are we spending too much money on travel?’ And my financial adviser kept saying, ‘You guys are fine.’ But it’s so hard to make that big of a jump."

Since the sale, Ellsworth has upgraded her home and made other significant purchases, though she remains cautious about adjusting to her new financial reality. Her story highlights the sacrifices, challenges, and unexpected emotions that come with building and exiting a billion-dollar business.