HOW MELISSA BUTLER OVERCAME FAILURE FROM ‘SHARK TANK’ REJECT TO STAR CEO Melissa Butler, CEO of skin care and cosmetics company The Lip Bar, had her first brush with fame when she appeared on a 2015 episode of “Shark Tank.” But it was almost her last. The “sharks” not only didn’t like her idea — they mercilessly skewered it. Butler’s journey began in 2012 when she decided the beauty industry needed more diversity and natural ingredients. So, she started mixing her own lipstick shades in her kitchen. But when she presented her bold and beautiful creations on “Shark Tank,” the experts called them “clown makeup.” Kevin O’Leary, also known as “Mr. Wonderful,” was particularly harsh. He told her the cosmetics market was oversaturated and that she should quit while she could. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Butler did no such thing. She knew Black women and other women of color wanted cosmetic options that better suited their skin tones and continued making her vegan, cruelty-free, and affordable lip products. Butler did not find success overnight, and it might have seemed the sharks had a point. But she began to make headway into retail outlets, and in 2022, The Lip Bar closed $6.7 million in seed funding. The company now has a flagship store in Detroit and sits on shelves in over 500 Walmart and
750 Target stores. Butler announced in early 2023 that The Lip Bar is now the largest Black-owned makeup brand on Target shelves. Former first lady Michelle Obama and actress Taraji P. Henson have both worn the company’s shades. As her company continues to expand and roll out new products, Butler doesn’t shy away from her less-successful past — she actively celebrates it. The Lip Bar CEO regularly tells her story and even placed a billboard in her hometown of Detroit, noting how she beat the odds. It read: “‘Shark Tank’ told me to quit. 10 years and 2 million units sold. Thanks, Mr. Wonderful.” These days, even Mr. Wonderful is on board. In a 2022 interview, O’Leary admitted that he got it wrong. “They were facing an almost impossible task,” he said. “They pulled it off, so you gotta applaud them.” Impressed by how she beat the odds, MarthaStewart.com asked Butler last year what advice she had for other entrepreneurs. “Keep working towards your goals,” she responded. “Because your idea will never become reality if you don’t do it.” CLICK IT OR TICKET THE INS AND OUTS OF GEORGIA’S SEAT BELT LAWS While Georgia’s seat belt laws are strict and straightforward, a few exceptions exist. A driver or passenger doesn’t need to wear a seat belt if they frequently stop to leave the vehicle and deliver property and not exceed 15 mph. A seat belt is not required if a driver or passenger has a written note from the doctor, including medical reasons. If the car was manufactured in 1965 or older, or if the driver is operating the car in reverse, they are not legally required to buckle up. Those who violate the seat belt laws in Georgia will face tickets and fines of $25 for a child 8 years of age and older and $25 for adults. For children under 4 years of age, there is a $50 fine ($100 for a second offense). If you have been accused of not wearing a seat belt, you have the right to fight the ticket! Contact our experienced attorneys today — we will help you develop a strong defense and work to get your ticket dismissed!
You’ve heard it before, and we are here to remind you again: Buckle up! It may save your life. According to the National Safety Council, from 1975 to 2017, seat belts saved the lives of 374,276 individuals involved in auto accidents. So, how effective are seat belts estimated to be? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gauges that seatbelts reduce front-seat passenger car deaths by 45% and critical injuries by up to 50%. However, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that 90.4% of adults in the United States riding in the front of vehicles wore seat belts in 2021. While this is a high number, it still isn’t everybody. Did you know that in the state of Georgia, it’s a traffic violation to drive a passenger vehicle (any type of vehicle with seating for people other than the driver) without wearing a seat belt, or to drive with a passenger in the front seat who isn’t wearing their seat belt? If minors ride in your back seat, they must buckle up. However, if you are driving a vehicle and a passenger over 18 years of age is riding in the back without a seatbelt, you cannot be charged with a seat belt violation.
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