#94 Broke to Billionaire: How to Turn a Sidehustle Into Your Salary | Allison Ellsworth - BigDeal Recap

Podcast: BigDeal

Published: 2025-09-24

Duration: 1 hr 18 min

Summary

Allison Ellsworth shares her journey from a struggling entrepreneur to selling her soda company, Poppy, for $1.95 billion, highlighting the importance of determination, branding, and mentorship along the way.

What Happened

In this episode of BigDeal, host Cody Sanchez welcomes Allison Ellsworth, the founder of Poppy, a modern soda brand that exploded in popularity after a successful appearance on Shark Tank. Ellsworth recounts how her life changed dramatically after securing a deal on the show, becoming the first woman to do so. She emphasizes the importance of hard work and the right mentorship, specifically crediting Brohan Oza from Shark Tank for helping her apply valuable lessons to her business. She mentions that Poppy has now garnered over 3 billion views on TikTok, solidifying its status as the fastest-growing beverage brand in history.

Ellsworth also reflects on her unconventional path to entrepreneurship, starting her career in oil and gas research. She discusses the relationship-building skills she honed in that industry, which later proved beneficial in her beverage business. Despite initial skepticism about her product—a drink made from apple cider vinegar—she was able to turn her vision into a billion-dollar company by being adaptable and open to feedback. Ellsworth insists that understanding the founder's vision is crucial for investors, and she shares her insights on how to identify promising entrepreneurs who are also willing to accept guidance.

Key Insights

Key Questions Answered

How did Allison Ellsworth secure a deal on Shark Tank?

Allison Ellsworth secured her Shark Tank deal while she was nine months pregnant, which she humorously noted would make for great TV. She approached the show with a clear goal of wanting a deal, rather than just marketing exposure. Her pitch was for Poppy, an apple cider vinegar drink that was previously known as Mother Beverage. Despite the initial skepticism regarding the product, she successfully landed a deal with Brohan Oza, which she describes as a game-changer for her business.

What strategies did Poppy use to achieve rapid growth?

Poppy's explosive growth can be attributed largely to its presence on social media, particularly TikTok, where Ellsworth mentioned the brand has amassed over 3 billion views. She emphasized that in today's market, brands not actively engaging on platforms like TikTok are losing out on visibility and potential customers. Posting consistently and connecting with the audience was key to transforming skeptics into super fans of the brand.

What is the significance of being adaptable in business?

Ellsworth highlighted the necessity of adaptability for entrepreneurs, especially in her own journey. She discussed how Poppy underwent a rebranding from Mother Beverage to its current identity, demonstrating her willingness to change when necessary. She explains that successful founders need to balance confidence in their vision with openness to constructive criticism, stating that a good entrepreneur should be curious about feedback and willing to pivot based on it.

What role does the founder's vision play in attracting investment?

According to Ellsworth, the characteristics of a founder are crucial in attracting investors. She noted that investors often look for founders who are not only passionate but also willing to accept help and advice. Ellsworth argued that it's vital to find a founder who is not only confident but also understands the importance of collaboration in achieving long-term success, emphasizing that those who are too rigid may struggle to grow their businesses.

What was Allison's background before starting Poppy?

Before launching Poppy, Allison Ellsworth worked in oil and gas research for seven years. She described her experience as challenging yet rewarding, as it required extensive relationship-building and negotiation skills. This background helped her develop a solid understanding of business dynamics and prepared her for the complexities of running her own company, convincing her that real-world experience can often be more valuable than traditional education.