How Poppi's cofounders built a $2 billion business, and how they're navigating their newfound wealth

Poppi cofounders Allison and Stephen Ellsworth.

Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Poppi

Allison and Stephen Ellsworth built Poppi from nothing and sold it to PepsiCo for just under $2 billion last year.They told Business Insider this week about the risks they took and sacrifices they made along the way, and shared how they're stopping their newfound wealth from spoiling their children.Starting from scratchAllison was experimenting with home remedies for her stomach pains and skin issues in 2016 when she turned to apple cider vinegar. She couldn't stand the taste so she tried mixing it with sparkling water and fresh fruit, and Mother Beverage was born.She enlisted Stephen to help her sell her concoctions at farmers' markets. Within months, they won over a Whole Foods buyer and the premium grocery chain began stocking her drinks.Allison's unwavering belief in her products, positive feedback from customers, and the early Whole Foods endorsement gave the pair the conviction to go all-in on the budding business."She was willing to jump off the cliff, knowing that I could help build the plane while we were falling to make sure that we didn't totally crash and burn," Stephen said.The pair maxed out their credit cards, borrowed money, welcomed investment from friends and family, and took out personal loans to support the startup's growth.