338: He Sold to Coca-Cola for $200M… Then Bought It Back for $5M ft. Mark Rampolla

He sold his company to Coca-Cola for over $200 million — then did something almost no founder ever does.

He bought it back.

In this episode, Mark Rampolla, founder of ZICO Coconut Water, shares the real story behind creating an entirely new beverage category, selling to one of the biggest corporations in the world, and realizing that financial success doesn’t automatically equal freedom.

From his early days in the Peace Corps to building a global brand, investing in companies like Beyond Meat, and redefining what success actually means, this conversation goes far deeper than business tactics.

Mark opens up about:
• Why exits don’t always bring freedom
• The emotional trap entrepreneurs fall into after success
• Building businesses with purpose, not just profit
• What he learned buying his own company back
• Why questioning your own beliefs may be the real key to success

If you’re an entrepreneur chasing growth, exits, or impact — this episode will challenge how you define success.

🎧 Listen now and discover what happens after the big win.

Who is Mark Rampolla?

Mark Rampolla is a visionary entrepreneur and the founder of ZICO Coconut Water, a brand that helped create the now $8 billion global coconut water category. After growing ZICO into one of the fastest-growing beverages worldwide, Mark sold the company to Coca Cola in 2013. He then transitioned into investing, co-founding PowerPlant Partners, where he played a key role in the plant-based food movement, including the success of Beyond Meat. In 2020, Mark made a bold move by repurchasing ZICO from Coca Cola with a group of investors, including Jesse Itzler and tennis star Naomi Osaka. Now, through GroundForce Capital, Mark manages $500 million in assets, focusing on health, wellness, and sustainability investments. His journey reflects a deep commitment to innovation and positive change in the consumer goods industry.

Mark Rampolla’s Website Link:  https://zico.com/ https://www.groundforcecapital.com/

Mark Rampolla’s  Social Media Link: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksrampolla/

https://www.instagram.com/marksrampolla/

https://www.facebook.com/marksrampolla/

https://www.youtube.com/@markrampolla8844/featured

https://x.com/TheMarkRampolla/

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