Melissa Butler is an American entrepreneur, business executive, and the founder and CEO of The Lip Bar, the beauty brand she created to challenge conventional beauty standards with high-quality, vegan cosmetics. She is also the founder and CEO of Thread Beauty, a fast-growing beauty brand designed to make everyday makeup simple, accessible, and inclusive for a new generation of consumers. After beginning her career as a financial analyst at Barclays on Wall Street, Melissa left the corporate world to pursue her passion for beauty and entrepreneurship.

She gained national recognition following her appearance on Shark Tank in 2015, where she pitched The Lip Bar. Although she did not secure an investment, the exposure became a turning point for the business. Today, The Lip Bar has grown into one of the most recognised inclusive beauty brands in the United States, with products stocked in major retailers and a mission to celebrate diversity, self-expression, and accessible beauty. Through Thread Beauty, Melissa continues to expand that vision, creating innovative products that make beauty feel effortless and welcoming for everyone.

Driven by the belief that beauty should empower rather than exclude, Melissa has become one of the industry's leading voices for representation and inclusivity. As she puts it, "Everyone deserves to have representation. Without it, we are left seeking validation." Her mission is to remind every woman that she is enough, inspiring people of all ages, races, and body types to embrace their individuality and feel confident in their own skin.