What began as a family treasure became the heart of an unlikely startup story. After leaving McKinsey, Will Higham helped turn his late mother’s beloved source of comfort into Lola Blankets, a viral, Oprah-approved brand built on warmth, generosity, and a promise to honor where it all began.
The genesis of Lola
Will Higham's (HOUS, DENV 18-23) entrepreneurial journey began in the most unexpected of places: his family home in Idaho during the COVID-19 lockdown. As the world grappled with the pandemic, Will and his family faced a more personal battle: his mother's stage-four breast cancer diagnosis. During this challenging time, a simple blanket became a symbol of comfort and love for the family.
"My mom had this faux-fur blanket she was obsessed with, and it became really associated with her," Will recalls. "Before she died, she hid five blankets just like hers in her room, each with a personal letter for us kids, signed 'Love, Lola.' Lola was her nickname. That was the inspiration for this."
From personal project to business venture
Initially, Will’s brother had the idea of creating a business around the blanket as a tribute to their mother and the two joined forces around this personal project. However, after Will left McKinsey in 2023, he and his brother were quickly able to turn Lola Blankets into a full-fledged business. "We went from having no employees in 2023 to a team of 40 now," Will says.
The brand's mission extends beyond commercial success; it aims to honor their mother's memory and support breast cancer charities. In 2025 alone, Lola donated over $500,000, as well as many blankets, to various breast cancer charities, including the hospital where their mother was treated.
The McKinsey influence
Will says that his time at our Firm played a crucial role in shaping his approach to business. "I honestly love McKinsey, and I love the size of teams and the close relationships with incredibly talented people," he says. "McKinsey can truly be anything you want it to be if you make your wishes known and are willing to try new things."
One piece of advice from a Partner particularly resonated with Will: "This Partner said, ‘You need to take the driver's seat in your own personal development. You can't wait for anyone else to do that for you.’”
Dreaming big and going viral
One of the key factors behind Lola's rapid growth and viral status – the blankets even appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s hotly anticipated “Oprah’s Favorite Things” list in 2025 – is the company's willingness to dream big and take unconventional approaches to marketing. "The way you become known for something or get ahead in any business is to do what your competitors aren't willing to do," Will explains. "We treat it as a fashion business because it's more fun for us, and customers love seeing people they admire using our product."
Lola's strategy of gifting products to influencers and celebrities has paid off significantly as well. "We're very open to gifting people the product,” Will says. “We know that the quality of our blankets is good. It’s exciting that people can’t help but talk about them."
Values and vision
At the heart of Lola's success are the values instilled by Will’s mother: generosity, love, and dreaming big. "Our number-one value is to remember our story and where it started. It's about bringing comfort to people," Will emphasizes. "Dreaming big is something our mom taught us, and it's why we've been so motivated and connected with so many people."
Looking ahead, Will is excited about investing in the “humanity of business.” He says, "I want to focus on creating true art and telling stories that only people can tell. It's about allowing people to feel inspired by the everyday items in their life, like a blanket."
A personal touch
Despite the demands of running a successful business, Will finds time for personal hobbies that keep him grounded. "I really enjoy watercolor painting and anything that allows my brain and hands to be engaged," he shares. "It's very meditative and helps me turn my brain off for a while."
Will’s story is a compelling reminder that the most successful ventures often stem from personal passions and experiences. By combining his professional skills with a deeply personal mission, Will has created a brand that not only thrives in the market but also makes a meaningful impact on the lives of others.
“We always remember where our story started,” Will says. “It's coming from a place of generosity and love and trying to bring comfort to people. I think our mission has been very sincere since day one and that’s truly why we've been so motivated, and also why so many people have connected with the brand.”
