i
n addition to a stellar tV and film
career, Jessica Alba has also gone
on to prove herself as a successful
entrepreneur. She started her own
business, the Honest Company
in 2012, after her first daughter was born
because she wanted to make non-toxic
household products more accessible.
Not only is the Honest Company now
estimated to be worth $1 billion, but
she also has a lead role in L.A’s Finest- a spin-off series of the Bad Boys film
franchise – which has been renewed for
a second season and is set to air in 2020.
Jessica and her film-producer husband,
Cash Warren, live in Los Angeles with
their two daughters and a son.
i was brought up to be
independent and self-
empowered. Even as a little
girl I used to tell everyone
that I was never going to get
married and that I would
always take care of myself.
I might be married now, but
I never lost sight of wanting to achieve
as much as possible as a woman. My
mother was always a role model for that;
she worked at least three jobs minimum
to provide for the family. My parents
worked day and night and they were
both equal parts of the family unit:
I grew up in an environment where
equality was very present.As a child, i was in and out of the
hospital a couple times a month.
I suffered chronic asthma and skin
allergies because of exposure to chemical
products used in everyday life. Starting
my business, The Honest Company, was
my way of responding to the illnesses
I suffered. I knew that there were manypeople, especially mothers, who
wanted to make their homes as free of
toxic chemicals as possible. I wanted
to help them make better decisions
and allow them to enjoy a healthier
life, starting right in their homes.With any start-up, the first few years
are the toughest. You spend your
entire day at the office then often come
home and have calls to make or reports
to study – it doesn’t stop. The company
grew much faster than we expected, but
it’s been an incredible experience. I’m
very proud of what we have achieved
and I’m looking forward to how the
company can expand to reach as many
people as possible.the more time i can
spend with my kids,
the less stressed i feel.
They take me out of
whatever mood I’m in.
I built a daycare and a
play centre beside my
office so I could be close by while still
looking after the business. At home,
I like to have my girls,
Honor and Haven, help me
with breakfast and I give
them little things to do like
cracking the eggs and
stirring stuff in bowls. They
love that and it also reminds
me of how I helped my
mother in the kitchen.A love of food definitely runs in the
family. While my grandfather finished
studying, my grandmother supported
him and their five children by running
a restaurant. At home, I try to buy fresh
produce at local farmers’ markets andthen throw things together for dinner.
It’s become a philosophy of mine to
ensure that my family eats as healthily
as possible.My family always instilled respect in
me and i want to pass that on to my
kids. I carry the values with me that
I was taught as a child: to respect
myself, to respect others, and respect
the planet. Working hard has also
always been a part of my mindset, so
I’m really grateful for everything I’ve
been able to accomplish, and especially
for being able to have a beautiful home
life. My family has always occupied first
place in my thinking.A couple’s relationship is like a deep
friendship. It’s been so important to
have a man like Cash beside me who
makes me feel secure, even when
things look like they’re on the verge
of disaster. All couples face different
kinds of stresses, but I’m lucky to have
an incredibly supportive husband and
partner who’s always been proud of me.Playing Nancy in [Bad
Boys’ spin-off series]
L. A .’s Finest is my first
role since i took a break
from acting. I got a call
from [co-star] Gabrielle
Union and she said all
the right things, and
I couldn’t say no. I do
think that it’s fun, as
well as empowering, for women to see
other women doing stereotypically
masculine things; we can run around
and be powerful and we don’t have to
be apologetic about it – we don’t have to
say we’re sorry and ask for permission.‘ Work i ng ha rd
has always
been a part of
my mindset’
featureFamous Featuresphotography: cover imageGetty ImagesAdditional image:Getty ImagesACTRESS AND ENTREPRENEUR JESSICA ALBA TALKS
ABOUT RUNNING HER BILLION-DOLLAR COMPANy, THE
IMPORTANCE OF FAMILy, AND HER LATEST ROLE
‘Family has always
come first for me’
‘Women don’t
have to be
apologetic or ask
for permission’