With New York Fashion week upon us, it’s only inevitable that many women will be focused on fashion, beauty trends, makeup, and skincare products. If you’re not in the industry, often there is little thought behind the story of a brand. As women, we often choose our beauty products based on packaging, word of mouth, comfortability, or need.
The Lip Bar, a non–toxic, vegan and cruelty free line of colorful lipsticks, was born out of New York City by Founder and CEO Melissa Butler. Melissa had a career in finance, before making the leap to launch her lipstick line. A few years in as an entrepreneur, Melissa was featured on Shark Tank where the sharks challenged her business model.
According to a recent article in Forbes, “the $445 billion beauty industry has become a gold mind for self-made women,” and this self-made woman is carving a slice out of the beauty industry at the right time. Melissa has grown her revenue to nearly half a million dollars, while maintaining a brand fueled by a corporate, socially responsible culture.
Melissa has an untraditional story that led her to create a market in the beauty industry, without formal background in this industry.
I sat down with Melissa to hear more about her journey from finance to the beauty, lessons learned along the way, and advice she would give to other women entrepreneurs.
Lauren Wesley Wilson: When and why was The Lip Bar created?
Melissa Butler: In 2012, I was working on Wall Street. I was completely unfulfilled, unsatisfied, un-everything. I decided that instead of complaining about it I’d change my path.
I’ve always loved lipstick. Lipstick is feminine and powerful and with one stroke, it can completely transform your mood. I was also looking for lipstick products that weren’t chemically laden. I noticed that it was easier to find natural hair and skin care alternatives, but the assortment of natural lip colors were frankly just boring.
