Allison Ellsworth, 39, co‑founder of the kombucha‑soda brand Poppi, has shifted from startup grind to luxury leisure after the company’s sale to PepsiCo. The deal, valued at $1.95 billion, propelled her and husband into centimillionaire status. Yet she recently recalled a period when cash flow was so tight she relied on an interest‑only loan for her Austin home. She now enjoys weekend sailing.

The financing crunch arrived despite Poppi’s rapid growth, which saw the brand expand from a kitchen‑scale operation to a national fixture in just ten years. Ellsworth says the influx of capital after the PepsiCo acquisition forced a steep learning curve in wealth management, prompting the couple to overhaul budgeting, tax planning and investment strategies to preserve their newfound equity. They also hired a fiduciary advisor.

Ellsworth now spends discretionary income on experiences, including a one‑million‑dollar family trip across Europe, and advises other founders to treat exit proceeds as a runway for long‑term financial health rather than immediate splurge. Her story illustrates how even sizable exits can leave entrepreneurs cash‑starved if liquidity planning lags, underscoring the importance of disciplined post‑deal stewardship. She stresses patience over flashiness.