In 2009, Lauren Ireland was walking the halls of WO, unaware that her future held a groundbreaking beauty brand. Today, she is the co-founder of Summer Fridays, a brand that has taken over social media and earned a coveted spot on Sephora’s shelves. Her journey shows how perseverance, dedication, and hard work can turn a far-fetched dream into a successful reality.
Many high schoolers share the same dream: starting their own business. Whether it’s a makeup brand, clothing line, construction company, or another venture, that goal can feel unrealistic. However, with the number of companies thriving today and the technology now available, bringing those ideas to life is more possible than ever. “All it takes is one idea,” said WO business teacher, Corban VanDam.
Straight out of high school, Ireland attended Indiana University, where she majored in journalism—a path that seemed far removed from where she would eventually end up. Even then, those who knew her say her drive and personality stood out. “Lauren was friendly, hardworking and well liked by her peers. She was an active participant in her classes and extracurricular activities, and she took advantage of the opportunities available at our school. She has always been driven to achieve her goals,” said VanDam.
After graduating from IU with top academic honors, Ireland began her journalism career at a local ABC affiliate in Columbia, Missouri, where her reporting helped the station earn a “Best Newscast” award from the Missouri Broadcasters Association. Her longtime friend and current WO teacher, Brianna Thompson, said, “Lauren was very bubbly. She loved Legally Blonde’s Elle Woods, loved pink, and always wanted to be on the news.” That early enthusiasm for storytelling carried into her journalism career, helping her build a strong social media presence.
In the past couple of years, Summer Fridays has rapidly grown in popularity with their viral Lip Butter Balm, which has sparked a wave of imitators across the industry. They launched as a minimalistic skincare brand in 2017, but didn’t gain widespread recognition until 2023 when they took off on TikTok with influencers raving about their products.
The biggest factor in the brand taking off was social media. As more people began posting about a new product they were all trying—the Lip Butter Balm—the brand gained traction online.
That growth is no accident. “Lauren and her business partner have done an incredible job of growing the company. They know how to market to and connect with their target audience. They use a variety of social media, influencers, in-person appearances, and other media and print ads,” said VanDam.
As the product gained attention, Summer Fridays’ community-driven marketing reached new heights as many people ran to Sephora to purchase the product. With its clean ingredients and groundbreaking formula, it quickly became a staple in skincare routines.
As the product went viral, the brand followed suit. Seeing the name everywhere, people quickly became curious about their other products, which in turn made their original product, the Jet-Lag Mask, go viral as well. Leveraging a smart marketing strategy, the company partnered with influencers and sent PR packages that put their products in front of even more consumers. According to VanDam, much of the brand’s success comes from the way it builds excitement around new releases.
“The company leadership at Summer Fridays has done a fantastic job diversifying the product portfolio over the past few years. When a new product is launched, clever marketing is used to build excitement. Company leaders often do in-person appearances when a new product is released,” said VanDam.
Though this level of success isn’t the reality for many brands, Summer Fridays has earned it. From its sleek packaging to its effective formulas, the company’s focus on simplicity and quality has struck a chord with customers. Consistently delivering products people want has built a loyal following and cemented the brand’s place in the industry.
Ireland’s journey offers valuable lessons for any aspiring entrepreneur, especially students here who dream of starting their own business. Her determination and work ethic were evident long before her success with the brand. “Lauren has the right personality, intelligence, and work ethic to run a company like Summer Fridays. I am very happy for her. Her hard work is to be commended. I also love that she stays connected to her hometown of Holland,” said VanDam.
That connection to Holland remains evident today. “I know her son has come back and done soccer camps here at WO and they come back to visit often, so they’re still really connected in the community,” said Thompson. Together, those connections reflect the kind of person Ireland has remained even as her career has grown. Her success wasn’t an overnight sensation; it was the result of perseverance, adaptability, and creativity.
From walking the halls of WO to co-founding a globally recognized beauty brand, her journey proves that with determination and hard work, ambitious goals can become a reality. For people who have known her the longest, supporting the brand feels personal. “As a brand, I love it. I feel like it’s multi-generational and spreads positivity, and it’s easy for me to support because I love Lauren,” Thompson said. For students walking the halls of WO today, Ireland’s journey is proof that even the next big idea might already be taking shape.
