October 2022

Melissa Butler Melissa Butler Beauty entrepreneur Melissa Butler launched her cosmetics brand The Lip Bar with a mission to “change the way in which people take into consideration beauty.” It looks like she’s modified the minds of skeptical investors as well. In 2015, Butler appeared on the business pitch competition series Shark Tank with the aim of obtaining investment dollars for her cutting-edge beauty company—the panel was harsh, and even called it “clown makeup.” 7 years later, Butler has closed on $6.7M in seed funding. Per a news release, the round was led by Pendulum, an inclusive and strategic growth investing and advisory platform designed for founders and leaders of color, with The Fearless Fund and Endeavor rounding out the cap table. Butler said she plans to proceed growing...