# The Lip Bar: Melissa Butler

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2020-11-23
- Length: 1h 20m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-23-the-lip-bar-melissa-butler

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-23-the-lip-bar-melissa-butler#t=0) Introduction: Melissa Butler and The Lip Bar
- [4:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-23-the-lip-bar-melissa-butler#t=275) Background: Detroit, Steel Industry, and Wall Street
- [17:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-23-the-lip-bar-melissa-butler#t=1061) Pivot from Soap to Lipstick: Formulation and Molds
- [25:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-23-the-lip-bar-melissa-butler#t=1511) Launch Strategy: Packaging, Pricing, and Friends as Team
- [47:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-23-the-lip-bar-melissa-butler#t=2844) The Lip Bar Truck: Nationwide Tour and Marketing
- [56:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-23-the-lip-bar-melissa-butler#t=3398) Shark Tank Appearance: Rejection and Publicity
- [1:03:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-23-the-lip-bar-melissa-butler#t=3803) Securing Target: From Online to 500 Stores
- [1:08:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-23-the-lip-bar-melissa-butler#t=4119) Fundraising, Detroit Store, and Pandemic Growth

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)

## Most relevant to

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

## Mentioned

- The Lip Bar (company)
- Melissa Butler (other)
- Rosco Spears (other)
- Target (company)
- Shark Tank (other)
- Kavala (other)
- L'Oreal (company)
- Lush (company)
- Barclays (company)
- Shinola (company)
- Urban Outfitters (company)
- Teen Vogue (other)
- Allure (other)
- Refinery 29 (other)

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- [Founder Feature: Liv Truesdell of FROST Buttercream](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-12-12-founder-feature-liv-truesdell-of-frost-buttercream) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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