YES, A MILLION PERCENT: Bold Moves & Billion-Dollar Breakthroughs

Hi Millies!

I’ve got some exciting news to share with my Millies. You know the spirit of A Million Percent is all about going after what you want with full force. It’s not a “sure, I guess”—it’s a YES, A MILLION PERCENT. And recently, I said yes to something really big.

I’ve officially taken on a full-time role in brand growth at Canyon Ranch, a brand I deeply admire that lives and breathes wellness, purpose, and transformation. It’s a huge life change for me, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Pointina isn’t going anywhere—in fact, it’s about to get even better. Our Slack community officially launches this week, and we’re inviting our founding members in for FREE. We’re making this space wildly accessible, deeply community-driven, and of course, super fun!

Apply Now 

Join Pointina’s Slack Community

🚨 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Pointina is Launching on Slack – and You’re Invited! 🚨

We’re officially opening the doors to the Pointina Slack Community, the ultimate needlepoint community for modern stitchers! 🎉✨

For a limited time, we’re accepting just 50 founding members to join us as we build this space together. Founding members will get:
✅ FREE access to experience the community
✅ First access to exclusive content, events, and perks

Apply Now 

We’re building something really special—a creative, stylish, and actually fun space for modern stitchers. Here’s what you’ll get inside:

🧵 Daily needlepoint inspo & progress check-ins
💡 Expert tips & resources to level up your stitching
👯‍♀️ A tight-knit (pun intended) community of stitchers who get you
🎟️ Exclusive invites to virtual and IRL Sip & Stitch events and workshops
💸 Discounts on canvases & supplies

After we hit 50 members, we’ll be moving to a waitlist—so if you want in, now’s the time!

Fill out the form to apply for your spot in the Pointina Slack Community and help shape the future of Pointina! 💖🪡✨ 

Apply Now 

From Shark Tank to Super Bowl: Poppi Sells to PepsiCo for $2 Billion (!!)

Millies, I have to talk about this.

PepsiCo just announced they’re acquiring Poppi for a jaw-dropping $1.95 billion—yes, billion with a B. If you're not familiar, Poppi is a prebiotic soda brand that skyrocketed from farmers’ markets to Shark Tank to becoming the #1 healthy soda on Amazon. It’s the kind of growth that gives you chills—and maybe even a fresh burst of motivation to keep going with your own big idea.

I actually had the chance to hear Poppi founder Allison Ellsworth speak last year at the Female Founder World Conference. Her energy was magnetic, and her passion for what she built was so real. Flash-forward to this week’s big announcement—and wild plot twist—I spotted myself in the actual acquisition video she posted. It feels like manifestation at its finest to be included (even in a teeny tiny way!) 🙂 

Poppi’s success is a masterclass in building a lifestyle brand that goes beyond the product. It’s not just a soda—it’s community, culture, and a movement toward healthier living. They tapped into the wellness boom and made it feel joyful, nostalgic, and fun. From influencer events in Montauk to Super Bowl commercials, Poppi knew how to keep itself front and center in the cultural conversation—and now PepsiCo wants in.

This acquisition isn’t just about one brand winning—it’s about a whole category gaining legitimacy. Functional beverages are here (hello, Olipop just raised $50M too), and the big guys are taking notes.

So if you’ve been sitting on a wild idea, thinking the market’s too crowded or you’re too late—take this as your sign. You’re not. There’s room for your brand, your voice, and your story.

👉 What brand success stories are inspiring you right now? Hit reply and let me know!

Community-Led Growth with Mallory Contis

I had the pleasure of listening to a really fascinating webinar on Community-led growth (CLG) with Mallory Contois, Founder of Old Girls Club. CLG is a strategy that taps into the natural human desire for connection, driving both marketing and product success. Here’s what I learned and how you can apply it to your own businesses and communities:

Why is Community Important in Business?

1. Increased Brand Loyalty: A strong community provides a sense of belonging, which translates into more loyal customers who are more likely to make repeat purchases.

2. Stronger Emotional Connections: When customers feel emotionally connected to a community, they develop an attachment that makes them less likely to switch to competitors.

3. Organic Growth: Communities often drive growth by spreading the word about your brand through word of mouth and organic sharing. This builds momentum with minimal paid marketing.

4. Resilience to Negative Experiences: Communities act as buffers against negative feedback or poor experiences. When a brand has a loyal, supportive community, customers are more forgiving and loyal, even through mistakes.

The Key Components of Community-Led Growth (CLG)

1. Identify, Reward, and Recognize Champions: Finding and nurturing your most engaged super-users is crucial. These champions should be recognized and rewarded for their engagement to ensure they feel valued. Amplifying their voices helps them feel like key stakeholders in your community.

2. Connect Champions to Each Other: Community is about relationships. It’s important to create spaces where your champions can connect with one another, share experiences, and support each other. By aligning people with similar interests and goals, you build deeper connections that benefit both the individual and the brand.

3. Create Opportunities for Champions to Amplify Your Message: Empower your champions to spread the word to their audiences. Offering toolkits, playbooks, virtual spaces, and even real-world experiences can help them communicate your brand's message in an authentic and impactful way.

4. Foster Champion Communication in Your Channels: Encourage champions to use your pre-established communication channels—be it a forum, social media, or a Slack group. This helps maintain consistency in how your brand's values and messages are shared.

By embracing these CLG principles, businesses can foster genuine, long-term growth that’s powered by human connection, engagement, and advocacy. It’s definitely something we are keeping in mind while we’re building Pointina!

That’s it for this week! Jared and I are heading to Newport, Rhode Island to check out the mansions and drink Nitro Bar.

Reply to this email and let me know if you have any must-see recommendations for Newport!

xoxo,

Elizabeth