Hardware Podcasts

The Lip Bar: Melissa Butler

How I Built This · 23 Nov 2020 · 1h 20m

What this episode covers

Melissa Butler, founder of The Lip Bar, explains how she transitioned from a Wall Street analyst to launching a bold, inclusive lipstick brand after realizing the lack of representation for Black women in cosmetics. She details the 'garage' phase of formulating recipes in her kitchen, sourcing molds from a closing lab, and executing a nationwide tour in a retrofitted shuttle bus to build brand awareness. After a disastrous Shark Tank appearance where the judges dismissed her business, Butler leveraged the publicity to secure a listing on Target.com, eventually expanding to 500 stores and moving her headquarters to Detroit to participate in the city's renaissance.

Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies and companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
The Lip Bar, Target, L'Oreal, Lush, Barclays, Shinola, Urban Outfitters
Also
Melissa Butler, Rosco Spears, Shark Tank, Kavala, Teen Vogue, Allure, Refinery 29

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