We recently had the incredible opportunity to bring EllyPop to adidas' internal care fair, and we're still buzzing about it. Getting to introduce our organic electrolyte freezer pops to a brand-new community, especially one as iconic as adidas, is exactly the kind of moment we started this company hoping for. Here's how it came together, and why it means so much to us.
How EllyPop Got the Invite
This one is personal. EllyPop's presence at the adidas care fair happened thanks to Charlie Kirihara, husband of our co-founder Dr. Jackie Kirihara, the creative mind behind the EllyPop logo, and (we're a little biased, but) one of our favorite EllyPop lovers. Charlie works as a Senior Designer Color + Materials + Graphics for adidas, and when the opportunity came up to bring outside brands into an internal care fair for adidas employees last year, he thought of EllyPop right away.
It's a full-circle kind of moment. Charlie has been part of the EllyPop story since the very beginning, helping shape the look and feel of this brand long before most people had ever heard of it. Watching him now help open doors to entirely new communities, this time as an adidas member rather than a designer working on our branding, is exactly the kind of support that reminds us how much of a family effort EllyPop has always been.
What the Care Fair Was All About
Internal care fairs like this one are becoming a familiar sight at large companies, and for good reason. They're a chance for employees to step away from their desks and connect with brands and services centered around health, wellness, and self-care, all in one place, without having to leave the building. For a company like adidas, whose culture is so deeply rooted in movement, performance, and taking care of your body, a care fair is a natural fit.
For us, it was the perfect setting. Hydration is at the center of everything EllyPop does, and adidas employees–many of whom are active, always on the move, and juggling a lot in a day–are exactly the kind of people who can appreciate a gentler, more natural way to rehydrate. We got to set up a table, share samples of both Wild Cherry and Sweet Peach, and talk directly with adidas team members about what makes EllyPop different: organic fruit juice, herbal tea, and essential electrolytes, formulated by two naturopathic doctors right here in Portland.
Why Events Like This Matter to Us
We started EllyPop because we wanted to build something rooted in trust, intention, and real community–not just another product on a shelf. Every time we get to step outside of our usual circles and introduce EllyPop to a brand-new group of people, it feels like a reminder of why we're doing this in the first place.
We love getting into new communities. Whether that's a local farmers market, a wellness event, or, in this case, an internal fair at one of the biggest names in athletic wear, every new room we're welcomed into is a chance to spread a little more EllyPop joy and grow The Herd, our name for the community of EllyPop lovers who've made this brand what it is.
And there's something special about getting to do that here in Portland specifically. This city has such a strong culture of wellness, movement, and supporting local, and having a brand like adidas be part of our own backyard makes moments like this even more meaningful. It's proof that even a small, doctor-founded brand from Portland can find its way into some pretty big rooms, especially when you have the right people, and the right connections, cheering you on.
A Thank You to Charlie (and adidas!)
We can't talk about this event without giving another huge thank you to Charlie Kirihara. From designing the very first version of the EllyPop logo to helping us build out our branding along the way, Charlie has quietly been one of EllyPop's biggest supporters from day one. Getting to add "helped us into the adidas care fair" to that list feels like one more example of how much this brand has grown through genuine relationships, not just marketing plans.
We're also grateful to adidas for welcoming outside, small businesses like ours into their internal care fair. It's not lost on us that a company of that size took the time to make space for a small, local brand to share what we're about. That kind of openness to new, values-aligned products is exactly the kind of support small businesses need, and we're so thankful to have been included.
What's Next for EllyPop
Events like the adidas care fair remind us that growth doesn't always look like a big campaign or a major retail launch. Sometimes it looks like one conversation at a table, one new person trying a Wild Cherry freezer pop for the first time, one more member added to The Herd. We're looking forward to more opportunities like this one, wherever they come from, and we're always excited to introduce EllyPop to communities who care about health, hydration, and doing things with intention.
If your company, team, or community is interested in having EllyPop at an upcoming event, wellness fair, or care day, we'd love to hear from you! Reach out any time at hello@ellypop.com.
Try EllyPop for Yourself
Curious what all the excitement was about at the adidas care fair? Shop Wild Cherry and Sweet Peach at ellypop.com, or find us at New Seasons Market, Amazon, Market of Choice, and select retailers nationwide.