9 to 5ish with theSkimm

← 9 to 5ish with theSkimm27. Aug. 2025 · 25 Min.

Phoebe Gates on Proving Herself Beyond Her Family Name

Phoebe Gates on Proving Herself Beyond Her Family Name27. Aug. 202525 Min.

When Phoebe Gates started her company, Phia, her parents – yes, those Mr. and Mrs. Gates – wished her good luck and didn’t invest a penny. And while her last name lends it self to opportunities other people might not get. But instead of letting the nepo-baby convo overshadow her entrepreneurship, Phoebe shares why the pressure to live up to her family name actually is a positive thing.

In this episode, Phoebe also shares:

The values her parents instilled in her that have nothing to do with money or business

Why she started a business with her roommate-turned-best-friend-turned- co-founder

The most surprising founder skill she had to learn

Her number one tip for speaking with confidence in business meetings

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