The first skincare product I wanted (like, lusted-for-weeks-after wanted), was the Summer Fridays Jetlag Mask. I was far from alone in coveting the cult-favorite skin saver. Even if you weren’t (yet!) a skincare fanatic when Summer Fridays first launched, you saw the mask everywhere. Years later, Summer Fridays has a full line of must-have skincare staples. And while some brands capture the internet in a bright but brief flame that eventually burns out, it’s clear that Summer Fridays has staying power. Co-Founder Lauren Ireland is the proof.
Lauren got her start as a blogger just as the influencer industry started taking off. With her best friend Marianna Hewitt, Lauren founded Summer Fridays soon after. The keys to her success? Leaning into her skills, her passions, and her willingness to embrace the journey.
Lauren’s morning routine is a fitting example of her proclivity to cherish every moment. She practices rituals centered around reflection and the intention to start her day with purpose. It’s a well-crafted blend of stillness and movement—time to stretch, let her mind wander, and move her body before connecting with her kids. This balance is at the core of her business practices and her daily routines.
From sharing moments of her life on social media to leading team meetings, Lauren’s days often shift between different priorities. But how she spends her morning is proof of the power of purpose. By carving out time alone, Lauren creates space for everyday magic.
Lauren’s focus is balanced out by her willingness to embrace change, making for a brand that still captures and encapsulates the cultural zeitgeist. These qualities inspire an aspirational morning routine that can teach us all a little about how to manage priorities even through major changes.
Read on for a peek into how Lauren spends her mindful mornings, and prepare to soak up all the wisdom.
Before launching Summer Fridays, you were an anchor on TV. what Inspired your career pivot?
The transition happened quite naturally. It felt like less of a pivot and more of a natural progression as my opportunities shifted.
I started a lifestyle blog (in the early days of blogging!) while I was working as a news anchor. I fell in love with the idea of sharing my own content and ideas, and the industry around becoming an influencer was growing.
What advice would you share with someone who wants to grow their social media presence?
It’s easier to grow a community if your message is clear—I think that’s more true now than it ever has been. And there is always room for more content creators! Even years ago, back when I started, people said it was “too crowded.” Can you imagine if I listened?
You co-founded Summer Fridays with your best friend, Marianna Hewitt. What are some tips for working with friends?
Marianna and I worked on the brand for nearly two years before launching. We combined our individual passions and experiences as influencers in both wellness and beauty to launch the brand. Marianna and I work really well together because we are so aligned on our goals for the brand.
As for tips, there are two key ones: 1) Have a very clear vision for the brand, both short-term and long-term, and 2) Put ego aside.
Neither of us has an ego when it comes to making decisions. Oftentimes, founders—particularly co-founders—can get in the way of their own success because they allow ego to manage their decision-making. But when you’re able to put the brand first, decisions become clearer and easier to make. It’s a remarkable shift, and I recommend it to everyone in all aspects of life—not just business.
What has been Your biggest lesson in Building a business?
So much happens beyond what’s possible to show online. I’m grateful for an incredible team who helps make a lot of the magic happen. The biggest lesson in all of the setbacks is just that—there will be a lot of them!
A good business isn’t defined by its setbacks, but by how you manage those disappointments.
Our mindset is, ”never a crisis, always a solution.” When you approach everything in that way, nothing feels too big to handle. The losses can feel heavier than the wins, so you have to remember to celebrate every victory, even the small ones.
What advice would you share with your younger self?
Appreciate the early days. Yes, they come with stress, pressure, and a lot of questioning—but that’s the magic. Don’t wish away the journey because the journey is why you’re doing it.
Stay focused on building your vision, and don’t fear change. Change, when welcomed, will catapult your business in ways you couldn’t have imagined.
Lauren Ireland Shares Her Morning Routine
What time is your wake-up call?
I wake-up at 6:15, stretch, drink water, and set my intentions for the day. At 6:30, I work out. I swap between running, pilates app workouts, and my own toning circuits. Typically I have about 30-45 minutes for my daily workouts before I need to be present for my kids in the morning.
Work looks different every day. I aim to have specific days focused on my varying work obligations. I am very deadline-focused—which stems from my days as a journalist—so I typically work right up against a due date. It’s just my nature!
I usually have a work event 2-3 nights a week, and if not, then I take an evening shower, put on a show, catch up with Jake, and wrap up the workday.
What routines set you up for success?
I love a routine, so I’m disciplined in how I care for my mind and body daily. When I wake up, I stretch for 5-10 minutes and mentally set intentions for how I want to feel that day and what I want to accomplish. I aim to move my body before the kids wake up.
Morning movement is by far the biggest factor in the entire output of my day. I am more productive, more positive, more patient, and arguably more open when things don’t go as planned.
Describe your morning beauty routine from start to finish.
I use all of our own Summer Fridays products now, which is so rewarding!
Lauren Ireland’s Makeup Routine
What do you eat for breakfast?
I typically have coffee and a smoothie in the morning. For the smoothie, I blend together:
- Almond milk
- Avocado
- Almond butter
- Berries
- Vanilla protein powder
What are your morning media rituals?
I’m intentional about not taking in a lot of media early in my day. I’ll check my email by 8 for anything that may be urgent, but I aim to not open Instagram until after 9, allowing my brain to remain as clear as possible until I start my work day. This allows me to remain in a clearer headspace and ready to tackle the day. An exception is on days when I’m intentionally sharing part of my morning routine with my community (i.e., my workouts, smoothie recipe, etc.).
What are your favorite books?
I just read Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. There are some helpful hacks in trying to determine what to say yes or no to, which is a constant battle for me. I want to be everywhere, but the reality is, I can’t be!
I need to be very present for both my business and my family, which requires an increasing amount of discipline. I have less of an issue saying no now if it takes away from my priorities. Those priorities include things for myself, like my workouts, nighttime routine, and sleep.
What do you always have on your nightstand for a smooth, successful morning?
Water and Summer Fridays’ Vanilla Beige Lip Butter Balm.
If you had one extra hour every morning, how would you use it?
I honestly would use it for more alone time—doing nothing but drinking coffee in the morning and writing out my to-do list and intentions for the day.
What do you do every day to live a more joyful life?
Stretch, move my body, and reflect on how I want to approach the day by setting intentions.
For instance, while I work out, I go through how I want to feel so I can best handle what the day may bring. ”I want to feel patient, I want to find joy in small moments, I want to feel proud of my work, I want to make others feel accomplished, I want to feel flexible when I get news I was not expecting…” the list goes on.
If you could pin your success down to one thing or one moment, what would that be?
Impossible! Success is always because of a series of decisions. We each experience wins and losses every day. It’s how we handle both the highs and the lows that really determine our journey.
We are given the opportunity to make choices every day, and each of those choices ultimately determines our path.
Success looks different for all of us. For me, success is feeling at home in my body, my relationships, and my career. I want to feel loved yet challenged, comfortable yet pushed, and infinitely open to self-evolution.
Sentence Finishers:
I never leave the house without: our Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask.
If there were more hours in the day, I would: spend more time alone.
Healthiest morning habit: moving my body.
Worst morning habit: always rushing through my get-ready routine.
One thing I want to be known for is: how I make people feel.
The one thing I fear the most is: not being present.
When I feel that fear, I: breathe in the moment so I can feel it.
The top traits you need to succeed in life are: kindness, flexibility, and a forever willingness to try.
Bath or shower? Shower! I love the Necessaire Body Exfoliator.
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