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Coworking with Lisa Mastela

She’s founder and CEO of Bumpin Blends.
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Lisa Mastela

4 min read

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Lisa Mastela is founder and CEO of smoothie cube brand Bumpin Blends, sold at retailers like Target and Walmart.

How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? Imagine being a conductor of a symphony where the instruments are everything from sourcing ingredients to shipping boxes, and the musicians range from truck drivers to retail buyers. My role as CEO is all-encompassing—I’m not just steering the ship, I’m also scrubbing the decks. One day I might be crafting our next year's strategic roadmap, and the next, I’m on a video shoot, mixing up our latest smoothie for a fun social media post. It's the kind of role where you wear all the hats, sometimes simultaneously. But at the core, what I really do is make wellness accessible. I turn the often overwhelming idea of healthy living into something easy, quick, and delicious.

One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? Despite founding a company centered on smoothies, I have a confession—I can hardly drink them anymore! After countless hours of product testing and flavor refinement, I’ve hit my smoothie threshold. These days, after a few sips, I’m done. It's a classic case of loving what you do so much that you’ve had your fill, literally. But it's also what pushes me to keep innovating. If I can still get excited about a new flavor, I know it’s a winner.

What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? Choosing a favorite project feels like choosing a favorite child—nearly impossible. But if I had to pick, it would be the limited-time celebrity partnership flavors we’ve created. They’re like pop culture meets culinary art. For instance, our Peppermint Bark flavor for the holidays wasn’t just a smoothie; it was a whole festive experience in a cup. And the 7-Layer Bar flavor we did with Amanda Kloots? That was pure joy—both in creating it and seeing the overwhelming response.

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Which emerging retail trend are you most excited about right now, and why? The trend that’s lighting me up right now is seeing major retailers opening their doors to emerging brands like ours. It’s a shift in the retail landscape that’s empowering smaller players to make a big impact. Seeing our products on the shelves of giants like Walmart and Target is not just a victory for us, but a signal that the industry is evolving. It’s becoming more inclusive, more diverse, and more willing to take a chance on something new and different.

What’s your go-to coffee order? My go-to coffee is all about comfort and simplicity—a French press brew at home with a sprinkle of brown sugar.

Worst piece of advice you’ve received? “Follow your passion and the money will come.” My dad used to tell me this (sorry dad!), and while I appreciate the sentiment, I’ve found it’s a bit of a fairy tale. Passion is a powerful force, but it’s not a guarantee of success. Building a business requires so much more—strategic thinking, resilience, and a willingness to dive into the nitty-gritty parts that aren’t so glamorous. It’s about passion, yes, but it’s also about grit, perseverance, and sometimes doing the things you don’t love in order to create something you do. The money doesn’t just “come”—you have to chase it, strategize for it, and work tirelessly to earn it.

What was your favorite retail product when you were 15, and what’s your favorite retail product now? When I was 15, I was all about Converse sneakers, Oreos, and my Blackberry—each representing a different facet of teenage life in the ’00s. Today, my tastes have evolved, and I’m drawn to products that blend nostalgia with a modern twist, like Boom Chicka Pop kettle corn for that perfect salty-sweet combo, Olipop Vintage Cola for a better-for-you Diet Coke fix, and Good Pop Watermelon Agave popsicles, which are a refreshing throwback to childhood summers, but with a clean ingredient edge.

Retail news that keeps industry pros in the know

Retail Brew delivers the latest retail industry news and insights surrounding marketing, DTC, and e-commerce to keep leaders and decision-makers up to date.