Who is Stephen Ellsworth?
Stephen Ellsworth co-founded Poppi with his wife, Allison Ellsworth. The two met in Utah and were both working in the oil and gas industry when Allison began making an apple cider vinegar soda at home. After a Whole Foods buyer spotted the drink, then sold as Mother, at a Dallas farmers market in 2016, the couple quit their jobs to build the company. They pitched on Shark Tank in 2018 (Season 10) and took a $400,000 investment from guest shark Rohan Oza, who pushed them toward a full rebrand.
Stephen ran operations, product development and finance as the company relaunched as Poppi in 2020. He led a digital-first, direct-to-consumer push during the pandemic lockdowns and the brand's Super Bowl advertising. Revenue was reported above $500 million by 2024, and PepsiCo agreed to buy Poppi for $1.95 billion in March 2025, closing the deal that May. Stephen now works as an advisor.
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