By Theresa Moses
GTCO Fashion Weekend 2025 welcomed Melissa Butler, visionary founder of The Lip Bar, in a masterclass session titled “Building a Business from Zero to a Multi-Million Dollar Empire.” Known for challenging beauty standards and creating products that celebrate all skin tones, Butler shared her entrepreneurial journey and lessons learned along the way.
She began by discussing the inspiration behind her signature red lipstick, “Boss Lady,” which has become a bestseller loved by women of all complexions.
“I started The Lip Bar because I wanted Black women to feel confident in our own skin,” Butler explained. “I knew the power of a red lip could give women confidence to own the room, but getting the right shade was tricky. We spent months perfecting a formula that genuinely works on every single complexion.”
Her commitment to creating inclusive beauty products underlines the brand’s ethos: confidence for every woman.
Melissa also shared an early financial lesson that shaped The Lip Bar’s growth: pricing missteps.
“We initially priced our products at $20, which was too high for our target audience. After adjusting to $12, we hit our margins a bit, but it opened doors for retail partnerships with stores like Target and increased overall sales.”
Butler emphasized the importance of customer feedback and resilience.
“It’s easy to feel jealous of someone else’s success, but envy kills. Focus on your brand, talk to your customers, and understand your market. Even if you only have two customers, ask them what they need. That’s how you grow.”
From a kitchen experiment to a multi-million-dollar beauty empire, The Lip Bar now stands as a leading Black-owned brand in the U.S., stocked in major retailers nationwide. Butler’s story embodies innovation, empowerment, and determination, inspiring entrepreneurs to pursue vision-driven business strategies while staying authentic.
“Our goal is simple,” Butler concluded. “We want every woman to know they’re enough. Confidence is the ultimate beauty.”
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