Our Story

The story of Poppi began with a simple idea: soda should be enjoyable without the guilt. Allison Ellsworth, the brand’s founder, had always loved the crisp, refreshing taste of soda, but over time, she became increasingly aware of how traditional sodas made her feel—often sluggish and unwell due to the high sugar content. Though completely giving up soda seemed unrealistic, continuing to drink it didn’t align with how she wanted to feel either. She then asked herself a new question: Why couldn’t a soda be both delicious and better for the body?

This question sparked a journey that began in Allison’s Texas kitchen in 2015. She began experimenting with combinations of fruit juices, sparkling water, and functional ingredients, working late into the night to perfect a new kind of soda. Her goal wasn’t to create a “health drink” but to craft a soda that felt lighter, more balanced, and more enjoyable, while still delivering the flavor and fizz people love. Through trial and error, she refined the formula, driven by intuition and a growing belief that she was onto something meaningful.

Once she was satisfied with her creation, Allison took it a step further by sharing it with the public. She bottled her drink and introduced it at a local farmers’ market, where it caught the attention of a Whole Foods buyer who immediately saw its potential. This pivotal moment validated that there was a larger audience seeking a new type of soda—one that fit into a modern, healthier lifestyle without compromising on taste.

The brand’s journey took another significant turn when Allison and her husband Stephen were invited to pitch Poppi on Shark Tank. Despite Allison being nine months pregnant, they seized the opportunity and traveled to Los Angeles. The pitch wasn’t just about a product; it was about reimagining soda as a whole. Their passion and vision resonated with the investors, leading to a partnership with beverage industry expert Rohan Oza. His expertise provided crucial guidance, helping to propel Poppi to the next level.

With this newfound support, the brand underwent a transformation, emerging as Poppi. The new name reflected the drink’s bold and playful character, signaling that it was unapologetically different. Poppi began appearing on store shelves nationwide, gaining a dedicated following of people who connected with the brand’s philosophy and enjoyed its unique flavor profile. The message was simple: soda could be fun again, but in a way that didn’t involve extremes or sacrificing well-being.

Poppi’s rise was further fueled by its embrace of pop culture. Influencers, musicians, athletes, and trendsetters began championing the brand, helping to spread its energy and aesthetic. Social media played a major role in expanding Poppi’s reach, turning the beverage into more than just a drink—it became a part of people’s daily routines and personal expressions. The brand reached key milestones, including becoming a top seller on major online platforms and launching viral marketing campaigns.

Continuing to break boundaries, Poppi pushed the envelope with creative advertising, collaborations that merged fashion and lifestyle, and immersive brand experiences. Each step reinforced the idea that Poppi was not just changing the formula inside the can, but also challenging how people thought about soda itself.

In 2025, Poppi reached a new milestone by joining the PepsiCo family. This marked a significant moment in the brand’s evolution, as it now had access to expanded resources and a global reach. With this new partnership, Poppi looked forward to even greater growth and the opportunity to continue reshaping the soda industry. Today, Poppi is a symbol of reinvention, proving that familiar categories can be transformed to reflect modern tastes and values. It’s not just about soda—it’s about embracing a joyful, balanced approach to flavor and fizz, one can at a time.