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Jessica Alba in Spy Kids 4. The actress is also an entrepreneur, owner of Honest Co.

The latest news and information for entrepreneurs from across the web universe, brought to you by the Report on Small Business team. Follow us on Twitter @GlobeSmallBiz. Download our app here.

The Honest truth

Actor and entrepreneur Jessica Alba created Honest Co. to help mothers and to give children a better, safer start.

In what Forbes is billing as an exclusive interview, Ms. Alba reveals the inspiration for her business, outlines how she achieves a positive work-life balance, and discusses the support she has received from her husband.

She also rhymes off her three pieces of career advice for young women:

  • Understand the marketplace for your business.
  • Have realistic business expectations and tailor your business plan appropriately.
  • Stick to your guns. If someone can persuade you to depart from your idea, the business might not be the right fit for you.

Indigo partners with textbook rental business

TechVibes is reporting that TextbookRental.ca has partnered with Indigo Books to "bring them into the textbook rental market in Canada." A landing page has been added to the Indigo site that links to TextbookRental.ca. The Toronto-based startup also told TechVibes it is adding used textbooks to its offerings.

Trash to treasure

Bottles & Wood is a new Las Vegas company that repurposes discarded alcohol bottles. Entrepreneur Steve Cherry sells the new products back to wholesalers, tourists and locals, says the Las Vegas Sun, and his glassware ranges in price from $7.50 (U.S.) to $50 a piece. The business has experienced solid growth, but Mr. Cherry is also doing his bit for Nevada, a state known for its scarce environmental laws. "The Strip's 24-hour party cycle sends scores of empty liquor, wine and beer bottles to the trash," the story points out, "much of it destined for burial at a landfill."

EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Down in the Valley

Twice a year the C100 invites 20 of Canada's most promising startups to Silicon Valley for two days of mentorship, workshops, investor meetings, strategic partner visits and networking. Applications can now be submitted for the next 48hrs in the Valley program, which takes place Nov. 12 to 14. Applicants must have a product in market, traction, and growth potential. The deadline to apply is Sept. 21.

The future of education

TEDxEdmonton Education will bring together educational leaders, technology entrepreneurs, artists and creators to challenge the way we think about learning. Combining TEDTalks videos, live speakers, and conversations, it will try to answer the following questions: How do we educate our children, our students, our employees, and ourselves to live and succeed in an evolving world? How do we disrupt the status quo and replace traditional approaches to learning? How do we leave the politics of education behind to focus on impact and innovation? Tickets are on sale now, starting at $99, and the event takes place Oct. 13.

EDITOR'S PICKS FROM REPORT ON SMALL BUSINESS

Business and family balance

Across Canada, countless "mompreneurs" have launched micro-businesses while bearing much of the burden of raising a family. Some, like ice-pops maker Karen Henry, experience a burst of success that convinces them they could get much bigger. But getting there is tough. They face not only the normal business challenges – hiring, building relationships with suppliers and customers, managing costs – but the added challenge of keeping the family needs in balance.

FROM THE ROSB ARCHIVES

Evolution of the mompreneur

"The term mompreneur was coined almost two decades ago so it's not a brand new idea, but what's happening is that there's growing recognition that there's more of us," says Christie Schultz, the mother of three young children and founder of Entrepreneurial Moms International (www.entrepreneurialmoms.org), an online destination for other mothers running small businesses.

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