Jessica Alba admits she's 'made people cry' on her way to the top in business

'Sometimes, I'm a little more iron fist than velvet glove,' she said.

Boss: Jessica Alba (Corbis)

Whatever you do, don’t mistake Jessica Alba for a soft touch in the board room.

The actress has admitted that her temper often takes centre stage when she’s making managerial decisions about her multi-million dollar business, the Honest Company. Yes, the same company that makes organic paint, mattresses and is currently planning an additive-free tampon range. It's heated stuff.

“Sometimes, I'm a little more iron fist than velvet glove,” she told MORE magazine.

“I'm straight to the point. I've made people cry.

“I have to say, ‘This isn't personal. This is what needs to get done and it's just as simple as that. And… we're not crying anymore.'”

“I'm learning to tone myself down,” she added.

Then came the obligatory relatable question about how the actress balances her working life with being a mum to two children and a wife to a Hollywood star.

“You don't really know how [your career] is affecting [your kids] until they're adults and they say, ‘You ruined my life, Mom!'” she said.

“Maybe they want me to be a stay-at-home mother who bakes chocolate-chip muffins all day.

“Nah. I'd probably want to start a chocolate-chip muffin company. Ya know?”

An *organic* muffin company. Hold the PAs. And the nannies.