Jessica Alba Battled 'Major Impostor Syndrome' While Building The Honest Co.
By Cynthia Littleton
Business Editor @Variety_Cynthia
4 hours ago
Jessica Alba shared her entrepreneurial journey in a conversation with Courtney Kelso, senior executive VP and head of payments: consumer and small business for U.S. Bank and Visa, held Oct. 29 in Hollywood. Alba, known for her roles in films like The Fantastic Four and Sin City, and the TV drama Dark Angel, discussed her experience as a successful entrepreneur, particularly her struggle with 'impostor syndrome'.
Alba, nine months pregnant and stressed, decided to launch her first business while battling a severe allergic reaction to laundry detergent. She launched The Honest Company, focusing on safe and healthy skin care and cleaning products, post the birth of her daughter. The company made its retail debut in 2012 with a few products and, nine years later, successfully went public, making Alba one of the youngest and few Latinas to achieve this feat.
During the conversation, Alba, now a U.S. Bank spokesperson for small businesses, highlighted her unique approach to starting a company. She stated, "I didn’t slap my name on a brand that already existed. I created something that never existed... I had to learn about operations, supply chain, shipping, and packing." Alba and her initial partners took extreme measures, testing the durability of their product packaging by literally tossing detergents wrapped in bubble wrap from cars.
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Alba's determination and innovative spirit led to The Honest Company's successful IPO, marking a significant milestone in her career.