Poppi’s Co-Founder Sold Her Company for $1.95 Billion by Ditching Balance

Allison Ellsworth, co-founder of the prebiotic soda brand Poppi, has become a centimillionaire by doing what many entrepreneurship coaches warn against — abandoning the idea of work-life balance entirely. After selling Poppi to PepsiCo for $1.95 billion last year, the 39-year-old Austin entrepreneur is now worth over $100 million, and she credits relentless dedication as the driving force behind her success.

“I think it’s OK to live in chaos,” 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 commitment was literal — she took business calls from her hospital bed after giving birth and breastfed during Zoom meetings.

From Shark Tank to a Billion-Dollar Exit

Ellsworth’s breakthrough came when she appeared on Shark Tank nine months pregnant, securing a $400,000 investment from Rohan Oza. That deal helped transform her apple-cider-vinegar beverage into a nationally recognised soda brand, eventually catching the attention of PepsiCo and culminating in the blockbuster acquisition.

Life After the Billion-Dollar Deal

Since the sale, Ellsworth has embraced her newfound wealth without hesitation. She upgraded her home, purchased houses for her mother and aunt, and now drives a $180,000 Cadillac Escalade. She spent around $27,000 on a personal stylist and treated her family to a $1 million European vacation. “What’s the point of having all this money if we can’t have fun with it?” she said.

Her story challenges conventional advice, making her one of entrepreneurship’s most compelling — and polarising — success figures.