#HowIGotHere

Melissa Butler left her job on Wall Street to build a vegan, cruelty-free lipstick line called The Lip Bar. She began by mixing and molding the vibrant-colored lipsticks in her Brooklyn kitchen.
In 2015, Butler pitched her business on Shark Tank, but left empty handed. The Detroit native kept trying to secure funding, pitching some 75 venture capitalists, but no one would invest.
“When I think about the idea of stopping because they told us no, it’s like, ‘Why would I allow anyone else to have power over my dreams?,’” said Butler, who closed The Lip Bar’s first round of funding earlier this year.
The brand is now on shelves at Target and is worth about $7 million. Butler shared her story with Senior News Editor Maya Pope-Chappell for the #HowIGotHere series, which spotlights professionals with unique stories to tell about their paths to success and the lessons they learned along the way.
How have you maintained resilience during tough times? Share your response in the comments.

[@amberc2839]

The hero story I needed! You ladies are beautiful and I fully support your brand. So excited to truly support a black owned and curated business. The skin line is amazing 😉

[@ernestomarcos11]

i dont mean to be so off topic but does anybody know of a trick to log back into an instagram account..? I was dumb forgot my account password. I appreciate any help you can give me.

[@scottYaad]

Yasss girl, us as Black women must stand together! I love a ton of her brands!

[@scottYaad]

Yasss, ladies, your story is truly inspiring! I wear almost all of y’all’s lipsticks!

[@terriwhitmire8450]

Congratulations sis, this is exactly the motivation I need. I so often hear the same thing when I talk bout creative writing...dear in headlights. So proud of your accomplishments.

[@breannajones2161]

As a beauty entrepreneur I’m here to remind myself to keep going. Global Glamor got next! 💗

[@stephaniewilson6031]

A rattler 💚🧡 I definitely will be buying the product!!! I will support a fellow FAMUAN any day!😊

[@krystalwalker3860]

I never was a person to wear lipstick but thanks to you I do now❤️❤️❤️

[@robertwilkins839]

The Shark Tank hosts didn't forsee that as a market segment women who didn't wear lipstick starting to wear lipstick.

[@paralegs]

Man, Iove this so much!!

[@Startupsandsushi]

She is #lifegoals

[@wendydurrant665]

I love what I see and would love to try it.

[@Igottamakeit]

Great piece of content.

[@Pratikshya96]

You are just amazing....

[@robertwilkins839]

I was so mad after that Shark Tank episode I inquired about becoming a distributor...a thug from the hood and your company responded but I didn't follow through. Congratulations on your success!!!

[@wendydurrant665]

Can I get lip bar on line?

[@priscillajiron8866]

whats the color she has on in the main pic of the video! the purple ish color?

[@Jayla101006]

She's so beautiful and inspiring. I noticed a lump on her neck as she speaks. I'm not sure if she is already being treated but if not, she should let her doctor have a look. Black girl excellence!

[@Startupsandsushi]

She literally went from making lipstick in the kitchen to VC funding.

[@IEXECUTIVE]

MR WONDERFUL CALLED THEM COCKROACHES.

[@chrissydnor1602]

double that $7M valuation.. this videos is 2 years old

[@jomama7022]

They should call Mr. Wonderful Mr. Awful