Actress Blake Lively has a lot to say about women in the tech industry
Last July, Lively launched Preserve, an e-commerce site devoted to "the stories and creations of artisans." The site sells things like $495 hand-painted boyfriend jeans, a $40 salt collection, and a $90 rainbow-colored, confetti lantern.
preserve.usLively says she is involved in everything from photography to raising capital for the site, while at the same time maintaining her day job as an actress.
While press surrounding the launch of Lively's site wasn't exactly positive, she says the tech world has fully embraced her.
"Business is also about generosity. Entrepreneurs helping each other out," Lively says in a new interview with Stylist. "People starting their own companies, who could be competitors, are actually saying to me, 'This is a mistake I made and this is how you can do it better. Meet my technology officer who can teach you how to build your technology platform.' You realize there is room for everyone, as long as you work hard enough."
"There are a lot of women in business, but they don't get enough opportunities," Lively continued to the Stylist. "If you look at the facts, women spend the most on e-commerce sites, yet less than 30% of the companies that venture capitalists fund are female-driven, even though female-run companies are the most successful. Women connect with other women. So why are we are not looking at the numbers?"
"Look at what is happening with Hillary Clinton, it's something to be very proud of. It's so uplifting. But the fact that we have to be proud of this advancement is a bit upsetting. I think whatever side you stand on, the fact that there's never been a woman leading this country where there are women leading households and leading companies, is a bit upsetting. What makes people think a man is more equipped to do that than a woman? Nothing."
"I have a dream to go to Harvard Business School," says Lively. "One of these days I will do that… in my spare time!"