Allison Ellsworth reflects on selling her neon-canned prebiotic soda brand, Poppi, to PepsiCo for $1.95 billion, expressing mixed emotions. Poppi grew from a farmers market stand to a $500 million revenue generator and attracted celebrity investors. The soda now sits in 36,000 stores and has a large social media following.

Starting with apple cider vinegar and fruit in 2015, Ellsworth and her husband grew their concoction into a successful business, pitching it on “Shark Tank” and rebranding as Poppi in 2020. The soda contains 3 grams of fiber and 5 grams of sugar, appealing to a wide audience.

PepsiCo’s acquisition of Poppi includes an earn-out based on future sales goals, giving the brand broader distribution opportunities. The prebiotic soda market is surging, with U.S. retail sales jumping from $33 million to $777 million. Poppi faced scrutiny and agreed to an $8.9 million settlement over gut health claims.

Rival Coca-Cola entered the prebiotic market with Simply Pop, as analysts predict the global functional-beverage market will reach $339.6 billion by 2030. Ellsworth emphasizes Poppi’s community and influencer investors, remaining optimistic about the brand’s future. The nerves of letting go of a creation are present despite the success.

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