The Lip Bar: How Melissa Butler Turned Rejection into Success as the Largest Black-Owned Makeup Company in Target

In 2010, Melissa Butler pitched her fledgling makeup brand, The Lip Bar, on the hit television show Shark Tank. During the pitch, Butler was told by the investors that her business was not scalable and that she should quit. However, Butler refused to give up on her dream and instead used the experience as a motivator to prove the investors wrong. Today, The Lip Bar has become the largest Black-owned makeup company to be carried in Target stores, according to Essence.

Butler’s journey to success has not been easy. She started The Lip Bar in her kitchen, using natural ingredients to create a line of bold, bright lipsticks. She struggled to get her brand off the ground, with many retailers rejecting her products. However, Butler remained determined and focused on building her business, even when faced with setbacks and rejection.

The turning point for The Lip Bar came in 2018, when the brand was selected for Target’s Accelerator Program, which helps small businesses scale their products and reach a wider audience. The Lip Bar’s products were so successful in the program that Target decided to carry the brand in its stores nationwide.

Today, The Lip Bar has expanded beyond lipsticks to offer a full line of makeup products, including foundation, blush, and eyeshadow. The brand is known for its commitment to using natural ingredients and offering a wide range of shades to cater to a diverse customer base.

Butler’s success with The Lip Bar is not only a testament to her own perseverance and hard work, but also to the growing demand for products from Black-owned businesses. In recent years, there has been a surge of support for Black-owned businesses, as consumers look to diversify their purchasing and support underrepresented communities.

As The Lip Bar continues to grow and expand, Butler remains committed to her vision of creating a brand that is inclusive, empowering, and accessible to all. Through her success, Butler is inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams and never give up, no matter how many times they may be told to quit.