Jessica Alba on Women in Business: "Girls Should Have an Equal Seat at the Table"

Updated on Feb 7, 2016 at 1:00 PM

Yes, we all got to know Jessica Alba when she starred in action movies — kicking butt in Sin City and Fantastic Four — but we think it's time we stop calling her an actress altogether, and start referring to her as the businesswoman powerhouse she is.

As one of America's richest self-made women, Jessica runs The Honest Co., a multimillion dollar personal care business that makes everything from baby products and diapers to feminine care products and detergent. But even with years of experience in Hollywood under her belt, it wasn't an easy start for the entrepreneur. "I'm in a man's world in business. But I know what women want," she told Cosmopolitan magazine's March 2016 issue in a candid interview where she opens up about dealing with female equality at work and why she left her acting career behind. Read ahead for a sneak peek at what she had to say, and pick up the issue on newsstands on Feb. 9 for the rest.

On her first career: "I always wanted to be a big action star, to be as relevant as men. I was very aggressive with the vision and manifesting it."
On owning her femininity: "Most of my life, I identified more with my masculine side. I was kind of aggressive and super masculine in my early 20s—even into my mid- 20s. I got boobs when I was young . . . and I was like, What do I do? . . . I was never the girl who they marketed. I was always feeling angry, like an imposter. I learned how to be cool with the feminine later in life."
On never doubting her own expertise: "I'm in a man's world in business. But I know what women want — [men] don't . . . Whenever [male colleagues] question me in meetings, I'm like, 'Go home and ask your wife. This is a pointless conversation. Go home and talk to her.' When we were talking about package designs, I was like, 'Are you really giving me notes on packaging for feminine care? I literally can't with you.'"
On equal pay: "There are not as many women in government titles, business titles. It's just not equal. And until there is equality, you're going to feel that no matter what industry you're in. But from day one, I was like, girls should have an equal seat at the table. Take Jennifer Lawrence. I mean, she's opening movies — she's the box office draw as much as any guy in the movie, if not more. She should be compensated for that."