Poppi co-founder and CEO Allison Ellsworth opened $5,000 [1] investment accounts for each of her three [1] children under age 10.

Ellsworth's approach to early financial education follows her transition to centimillionaire status [4] after selling her beverage company to PepsiCo. By introducing the concept of wealth and investment to her children, she aims to instill a sense of responsibility and financial literacy from a young age [1], [2].

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal released in May 2026 [2], Ellsworth said the accounts serve as a practical tool to teach her children about money. She said her children are "rich" as part of this educational process [1], [2].

The financial windfall that enabled these investments stemmed from the sale of Poppi to PepsiCo for $1.95 billion [3]. While some reports on the timeline vary, the acquisition closed in 2023 [2].

Ellsworth said the goal is to ensure her children understand how money works before they reach adulthood. The strategy focuses on the conceptual difference between spending and investing, a lesson she believes is critical for long-term stability [1], [2].

“Ellsworth opened $5,000 investment accounts for each of her three children.”

This move reflects a growing trend among ultra-high-net-worth individuals to implement 'financial socialization' for their heirs. By combining tangible assets with a transparent conversation about wealth, Ellsworth is attempting to mitigate the psychological complexities children often face when inheriting significant fortunes, shifting the focus from consumption to asset management.