Jessica Alba's Simple, Yet Meaningful Advice For Finding Your Career Calling

If anyone can teach us a thing or two about success, it's definitely Jessica Alba . . . just check her overflowing list of credentials. The actress-turned-entrepreneur is the founder of The Honest Company, she's a mom of two, brand ambassador, and always manages to give us frequent doses of lifestyle and fitness inspiration. In short, she's the quintessential girl boss, and inevitably, we're always left wondering: how the hell does she pull it all off?

We had the chance to chat with Jessica about her third campaign with Zico Coconut Water, which is all about marching to the beat of your own drum. During our chat, Jessica provided us with meaningful life advice, the most notable piece being that success is not built overnight. She also shared some practical tips for finding your career calling, along with her favorite smoothie recipe, and how she stays in shape. Read on for some standout moments from our interview.

On Her Partnership With Zico
Zico

On Her Partnership With Zico

"It took me a while to figure out who I am and who I want to be, so I think Zico's message of individuality and not feeling like you have to fit in is important — especially for young people who are just trying to figure out their place in the world. You don’t typically see large brands aligning themselves with this belief so it’s really important for me to be apart of celebrating that."

On Finding Her Place in the Business World

"Before starting my company, I had no idea it was something I wanted to do. But I identified a white space in the market and found that young millennials want healthy products to accompany a healthy lifestyle. They also want things that are affordably priced and packaged nicely. These are all pillars that were very sought after and The Honest Company was created to fill that void."

Her Advice For Figuring Out Your Career Path

"I think it's important for young people to understand that you don't have to pressure yourself into finding your path tomorrow, and you should explore while figuring it out. The process of not knowing exactly what will happen is scary but it's so important to test things in the process. Don't be so afraid of failure to where it paralyzes you, because the only way you'll truly learn what you're good at is through trial and error. Also, try not to be too resistant to new things, and constantly push through your doubt because anything that is worth your while will be something you have to work for. Nothing should really come too easy when it comes to figuring out your place in the world."

What Her Grandmother Taught Her About Work Ethic

"I’ve always seen my grandmother be so resourceful. She juggled putting my grandfather through college and running a restaurant all while taking care of her children and herself. I’ve always admired her hustle and ability 'Macgyver' everything, and I've learned how to figure out situations on a whim from seeing her work so hard.

I try to set that example for my daughters by just living my dreams everyday. My girls can now see in plain sight what it means for their mom to have an idea and how to bring it to life. My grandmother also made me do chores and be proactive around the house, so I'm just trying to teach my daughters how to be responsible for their space, whether it's by cleaning their dishes or asking to be excused from the dinner table."

On Staying Healthy

"The more I educate myself on the importance of replenishment the more hydration becomes a key part of my day. Exercising or having a busy day at work can be physically draining so staying hydrated can make all the difference in muscle recovery and fueling your body. I love coconut water because it supplies you with those important electrolytes to stay energized. I also drink a lot of coffee so it's important for me to replenish my body back with water."

On Working Out

"I try to get in a few workouts a week but I do admit I am not that great at it. So to make sure I stay active I always bring friends with me to workout so that I am held accountable. We try to prebook our bikes or spots in advance so that everyone has to show up — no excuses! Lately, I've been loving spin classes, but I also love hot yoga since it's so high energy. Spinning is great because you work up a good sweat, it's only 45 minutes and you're in and out. I also love the music, especially hip hop and rap while I'm working out."

On Her Go-To Healthy Snack
Zico

On Her Go-To Healthy Snack

"I am huge fan of smoothies because they're so easy to make and to have while you're on the go. I absolutely love making them with coconut water. My personal favorite recipe is a few spoons of almond butter (or the butter of your preference), Zico's strawberry banana juice blend, chia seeds, and bananas or strawberries for added flavor. That's all you really need. I also love having coffee and a splash of chocolate coconut water over ice in the morning. It's super addictive!"