Let's Get Dressed Phia’s Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni Want to Shake Up How We Shop
Jun 2, 2025
Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, co-founders of Phia, are on a mission to revolutionize online shopping. With a background in climate activism and entrepreneurship, they discuss their innovative app that simplifies price comparisons for savvy shoppers. The duo shares insights on sustainable fashion, the importance of secondhand choices, and the challenges of launching a business in their twenties. They also reflect on mentorship tips from Phoebe's dad, Bill Gates, and how their podcast chronicles their entrepreneurial journey.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Roommate Origins Spark Startup
- Phoebe and Sophia met as roommates at Stanford, initially nervous about living together.
- Their bond grew quickly over shared experiences, including arguing about clothes and fostering a friendship that sparked their entrepreneurship.
From Smart Tampon to Shopping App
- Their first startup idea was a Bluetooth smart tampon, which they quickly abandoned realizing it wasn’t their expertise.
- The idea evolved into making secondhand shopping easier, sparked by environmental values and frustration with price comparison.
Wallets Drive Sustainability
- 90% of consumers just want the best price, sustainability messaging alone doesn't move purchasing decisions.
- Aligning financial incentives with environmental impact is more effective in influencing consumer behavior.