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**Blake Lively Under Fire: Ex-Staffers Share Shocking Revelations About Her Lifestyle Brand Preserve**
**Introduction: A Storm Brewing**
Blake Lively, beloved actress and lifestyle guru, is facing a wave of criticism that has ignited conversations about workplace culture in celebrity businesses. Just days after her husband, Ryan Reynolds, made headlines by poking fun at Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand, former employees of Lively’s short-lived venture, Preserve, have come forward, painting a picture of a “toxic” work environment filled with chaos and disorganization.
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### **H2: Former Staffers Voice Shocking Allegations**
When it rains, it pours. The buzz around Blake Lively’s ill-fated lifestyle brand Preserve has resurfaced, with **six former employees** sharing harrowing accounts of their experiences.
#### **H3: A “Toxic” Workplace**
In 2014, Lively, brimming with ambition, launched Preserve, marketing artisanal home goods to an audience captivated by her star power. However, within a year, the brand crumbled under its own weight. Former staffers are now describing the workplace as “**an absolute disaster**.”
Speaking to *The Daily Mail* on May 19, one staffer characterized the environment as “**insane, emotionally draining, and disorganized**.” This revelation has sparked discussions about Lively’s recent outspoken allegations against Justin Baldoni, suggesting a sense of **ironic hypocrisy.**
*Blake Lively attends the “Another Simple Favor” photocall at the Corinthia Hotel on April 15, 2025.* (Photo Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
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### **H2: The Countless Complaints Surface**
#### **H3: A Look Behind the Curtain**
Many complaints center around Lively’s brother, **Eric Lively**, who reportedly struggled to manage the creative side of Preserve. Former employees claimed that he often **overslept**, leaving staff waiting outside in the cold before they could start their workday. One highlighted, “Eric was completely unqualified to run a company,” pointing to a significant gap in leadership during Preserve’s operation.
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### **H2: The Financial and Logistical Chaos**
As if the toxic work environment wasn’t enough, ex-employees revealed issues with **unpaid wages** and logistical nightmares.
#### **H3: The Financial Strain**
Despite working “crazy hours,” many employees faced delays in their paychecks. Reports indicate that when ex-staffers threatened legal action, they received settlements amounting to **$300,000**, perhaps as a way to keep the destructive stories from surfacing.
While Lively has expressed regrets regarding her inability to manage the “behind-the-scenes stuff” at Preserve, such admissions are a far cry from fixing the damage done during its operation.
*Blake Lively attends the 2025 TIME100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 24, 2025.* (Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TIME)
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### **H2: Reflecting on Workplace Culture**
The fallout from Preserve serves as a cautionary tale for celebrity-driven brands.
#### **H3: Employee Well-Being Matters**
No employee should ever experience late payment or feel like they’re working in chaos. While mistakes are understandable, a business operation that lacks fundamental structure can lead to a miserable employee experience. As Blake Lively contemplates her next steps, one can only hope she reflects on these lessons before potentially re-launching her brand.
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### **Conclusion: A Learning Opportunity for Celebrities**
The saga surrounding Blake Lively’s Preserve reminds us all of the critical importance of fostering a healthy workplace culture, regardless of celebrity status. As stories unfold, will Lively use these experiences to effect change within her future endeavors? Only time will tell.
