The other day, I saw the news.
PepsiCo just acquired Poppi for nearly $2 billion.

The headlines are all about gut health, retail expansion, viral TikToks.

But you know what I saw?

A rebrand.
A brilliant one.

Because this wasn’t a product play.
This was a brand play.
And if you’ve ever felt like your product is solid but people still don’t get it, this story is for you.

The Rebrand That Made Everything Click

Poppi didn’t start as Poppi.
It was launched as “Mother.”
Muted tones, kombucha-core vibes, and a name that felt… kind, but not quite breakthrough.

Sound familiar?

So many founders fall in love with their first version.
The name, the logo, the cozy neutral palette.
But here’s the truth: your first brand isn’t your final form.

Poppi had the guts to evolve.
To step into bold colors, cheeky copy, and real relevance.

And that decision?
It didn’t just change how they looked.
It changed how people felt about them.

I See This All the Time

At Design Angel, I work with founders, mostly women, mostly visionaries, who are sitting on brilliant ideas.

But when we first meet, their branding often says:
“I’m safe.”
“I’m trying to please everyone.”
“I don’t want to take up too much space.”

And I get it.
We’ve been taught to tone it down.
To look “professional,” whatever that means.
To wait until everything is perfect before we show up.

But Poppi didn’t play safe.
They played smart.
And loud.
And fun.
And clear.

People Don’t Just Buy Products. They Buy Vibes.

Poppi made gut health look like a party.
That’s it. That’s the insight.

They didn’t lead with “prebiotic soda.”
They led with color.
With a wink.
With energy.
With joy.

That’s what people remembered.

And that’s what too many brands miss:
Design isn’t decoration. It’s communication.

If your brand doesn’t instantly say what you’re about, or who you’re for, you're making people work too hard.

What Founders Can Learn From Poppi

Let’s break it down.

1. Rebranding isn’t a failure. It’s growth.
You’re not locked into your first draft. Good founders pivot. Great founders rebrand with purpose.

2. Simplicity scales.
Poppi’s packaging? Bold, clean, unforgettable. No wellness jargon. Just color and clarity.

3. Joy is a strategy.
You don’t have to be “serious” to be taken seriously. You just have to be consistent—and emotionally resonant.

4. Brand = business.
Poppi didn’t just look good on shelves. They moved like a billion-dollar brand before they became one. Investors noticed.

For Every Founder Still Playing Small

If you’ve been putting off your rebrand...
If you’re scared to go bold because “what if it’s too much?”...
If your product is amazing but your sales don’t show it...

Here’s your sign.

You don’t need to wait until you’re “ready.”
You just need to look like the business you already are.

I’ll say this as a brand strategist, and as a woman who built her own table after being shut out of too many rooms:
Clarity sells. Confidence scales. Design matters.

And when you finally brand with guts, everything changes.

A Note From Me to You

Poppi didn’t win because of bubbles.
They won because they made people feel something.

That’s what I want for the founders I work with.
A brand that doesn’t just function, but connects.
That shows up boldly. That earns loyalty. That feels like you.

So if you’re building something real, intentional, and maybe a little rebellious
I’m cheering for you.

And if you need a branding partner to help you do it

You know where to find me.

Peace,
Pik

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