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Lauren Harbury '09 by Airstream

Lauren is a Charlotte native and a Country Day lifer who graduated in 2009. She received her Bachelor's in Strategic Communications from Elon University, as well as a certificate in Digital Marketing Strategy from Cornell University. Currently, she is pursuing an MBA at the University of North Carolina, where she is a Forté Fellow. 

Lauren is the founder and CEO of Feminist Goods Co., which she established in 2016. Her products are sold nationally with Madewell and the brand has received coverage in publications such as Refinery29, Buzzfeed, Teen Vogue, and Huffington Post. She has spent time working in corporate America leading social media for brands like Tito's Vodka, CVS, and Wells Fargo.


You are the Founder & CEO of Feminist Goods Co. Tell us about your company. How did you come up with the idea for it?

Feminist Goods Co. was born out of my obsession with community building and my experience as a freelance writer. I wanted to bring together my passion for storytelling and my desire to create a truly inclusive environment for women. I think my about page says it best: 

“I design and create products with the goal of reminding you that you are loved, valued and worthy. I want you to feel at home in your life and your body.

How I approach it? Thoughtfully designing, making and sourcing all sorts of things for you, from cozy tees to your favorite coffee mug and everything in-between.

I want to celebrate everything that you are, here in this moment, alongside everything that you will become. We want to celebrate your growth. The struggles that you are overcoming. Your successes. Your dreams.

I want you to know that you are deserving of everything you dream of exactly as you are. Not only that, but you have exactly what you need, exactly when you need it. You are ready. You are celebrated. You are home. You are complete. 
We believe in intersectional feminism.

I donate to charitable organizations (evaluated monthly) because I want everyone to feel that way.”

Tell us about your career journey. 

I have spent time in corporate Public Relations with high-tech clients, as well as corporate Social Media Management in finance and technology, and freelanced as a Social Media Marketer & Copywriter… and I’ve loved all of it. A rewarding experience for me is one where I can use my creativity to build brands – which can take many forms.

Would you consider yourself a lifelong learner? If so, what new skills and lessons do you hope to acquire?

Absolutely. I am constantly learning new things and dreaming of the next skill I can pick up. In the past few years, I’ve learned to make ceramics, embroider, screen print, make candles, design labels, and more. Right now I’m in an Executive MBA program at UNC-Chapel Hill and am learning an exponential amount about building and running businesses, as well as some practical skills like accounting. There’s always something new to learn and you’ll find me first in line to do it.

What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in life? What helped you persevere?

Life is full of challenges and decisions – in personal and business settings. In all of these situations, I have been lucky to have a community to lean on and a resilient mindset. Cultivating your closest community is – in my opinion – the best thing you can do for yourself. They will help carry you through any challenge you encounter.

Lauren Harbury '09 designing pottery

What has been the most rewarding or exciting professional experience for you thus far?

The most rewarding and exciting moment for me has been launching Feminist Goods Co. in Madewell! I have long been a fan of the brand and a shopper in their stores and to see my products for sale there still shocks me. It’s a major, major moment and I’m just as thrilled about it today as I was the day it first launched. One of my friends recently said to me “remember when we would walk down to their store and shop on Saturdays? Now you’re in that store,” – it’s pretty wild!

You recently spoke with Upper School students in the Career Connections panel. What is some of the advice that you shared with the group?

I loved being on the Career Connections panel – what a fantastic opportunity to give back to Country Day. My favorite pieces of advice I shared were to:

  • Follow your passion. Do something that you truly care about. Don’t feel boxed in by your major, or what you thought you would do. Be flexible, be nimble, follow your heart – you won’t regret it. 
  • Take advantage of study abroad opportunities in college if they are available to you. You’ll be exposed to new cultures, new people, new learnings and they will all make you a better student and person.

Who were the teachers that had the biggest influence on you at Country Day?

Shout out to Mr. Kridler, Mrs. Runnels & Mr. Peery! I’m was in the IB program and every single teacher I had in that program helped develop my self-confidence and skills. I considered those classes, teachers, and fellow students a safe nest to explore and learn within. 

How did Country Day help you shape and pursue your goals? 

Country Day truly prepares you for college and beyond with critical thinking, motivation, and achievement. I have always felt that I could learn any skill and reach any goal and in large part that is due to the confidence instilled within me during my years at Country Day.

You can connect with Lauren Harbury '09 via her LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenharbury/