Podcast Summary: "Phoebe Gates & Sophia Kianni On Advice For Young Entrepreneurs, & How To Build The Start Up Of Your Dreams"
The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Show Hosts: Lauryn Bosstick & Michael Bosstick Episode Release Date: August 7, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Show, Lauryn Bosstick and Michael Bosstick welcome Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the dynamic duo behind the podcast The Burnouts and founders of the innovative fashion startup, Fia. Phoebe is renowned for her fierce advocacy in reproductive rights, while Sophia has made waves as a climate crusader, even making history at the United Nations. Together, they are redefining young entrepreneurship with their forward-thinking approach to digital fashion and activism.
Meeting and Friendship ([00:20]-[06:08])
Phoebe and Sophia share the unconventional story of how they met and became close friends. Initially friends of a mutual acquaintance, they unexpectedly found themselves as roommates when their prospective third roommate decided to live elsewhere at the last minute.
Sophia Kianni:
"We really wanted this like triple room, right? So we applied with the other girl and ended up living together. We didn’t know each other well and ended up becoming super, super close as roommates." ([02:19])
Despite their different backgrounds—Phoebe from a traditional middle-class Iranian immigrant family in McLean, Virginia, and Sophia from a privileged upbringing connected to the Gates family—they bonded over shared values of activism and a desire to create positive change.
Phoebe Gates:
"Growing up, climate change was a huge issue in my life because in Iran, in the Middle East, like, temperatures are rising more than twice the global average." ([04:50])
Educational and Professional Backgrounds ([06:08]-[09:47])
The conversation delves into their educational paths and professional experiences. Sophia highlights her appointment to the UN's Youth Advisory Council and her journey to Stanford, emphasizing how her family's foundation facilitated her opportunities.
Sophia Kianni:
"I grew up with a ton of opportunities where I knew my education would be paid for... Activism came naturally to me because my parents would take me on trips to Africa every summer." ([04:31])
Phoebe discusses her motivations, driven by a sense of responsibility and a desire to prove herself, which led her to start a nonprofit focused on environmental activism and eventually transfer to Stanford.
Phoebe Gates:
"I always wanted to prove myself and make sure I made the most of the opportunities that I had been given because I felt super lucky." ([04:50])
Launching Their Startup ([09:47]-[14:08])
Phoebe and Sophia recount the inception of Fia, their AI-powered shopping assistant aimed at making fashion shopping more sustainable and cost-effective. Their initial idea—a Bluetooth-enabled smart tampon—was quickly pivoted after realizing the lack of a viable business model.
Sophia Kianni:
"First we were like, wouldn't it be genius if you didn't have to go get a blood test and you could just use your tampon and get all these insights... But then we realized there was no business model there." ([11:22])
Their pivot led them to Fia, likened to "Google Flights for fashion," which helps users find the best prices across the internet for items they are browsing.
Phoebe Gates:
"It's basically like Google flights, but fashion. It finds all the best prices from across the Internet for that item that you're looking at instantly." ([18:11])
Pitching to High-Profile Investors ([34:03]-[40:48])
The duo shares their experiences pitching Fia to influential figures like Sarah Blakely and Kris Jenner. They emphasize the importance of a refined pitch, thorough preparation, and practicing with diverse audiences to hone their presentation skills.
Sophia Kianni:
"The smartest thing that we did, which actually was complete mistake, was we had a bunch of our girlfriends give feedback. The best feedback came from those who weren't just blindly supportive." ([16:21])
They highlight the evolution of their pitching strategy, moving from disorganized initial attempts to a streamlined, well-oiled presentation that resonated with their high-profile investors.
Phoebe Gates:
"We were like a well-oiled machine. We had a 10-page deck. We were super succinct." ([40:05])
Overcoming Challenges as Young Female Entrepreneurs ([21:44]-[34:03])
Phoebe and Sophia discuss the unique challenges they face as young women in the tech and entrepreneurship space, including being underestimated and dealing with inappropriate questions from investors. They stress the importance of surrounding themselves with supportive and understanding individuals.
Phoebe Gates:
"There are people who have preconceived notions of you because of the way you look or present online. It's important to find people who believe in your value." ([22:50])
They also touch on hiring practices, initially favoring experienced professionals but later realizing the value of enthusiastic, younger talent willing to grow alongside the startup.
Sophia Kianni:
"We had to open up our hiring criteria and realize there's really great people everywhere at every age. That was a big mistake we had to learn from." ([24:53])
Iterative Development and Customer Feedback ([14:08]-[26:19])
The conversation highlights the iterative nature of startup development, emphasizing the necessity of pivoting based on user feedback. They share how initial versions of Fia—such as a desktop browser extension—did not gain traction, leading them to focus on mobile solutions.
Phoebe Gates:
"We built a desktop browser extension that no one used because no one shops on their computer. So we pivoted to focus on our mobile app." ([14:08])
Sophia elaborates on the importance of honest, critical feedback from diverse user groups to refine their product continuously.
Sophia Kianni:
"We now have thousands of data points to better understand people's behavior, seeing where they're purchasing, where they're falling off." ([46:14])
Advice for Young Entrepreneurs ([43:02]-[51:51])
Phoebe and Sophia offer actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs:
-
Launch Fast and Iterate:
"First, you have to launch fast and get it out there, get feedback, and be willing to adjust." ([41:35]) -
Embrace Failure and No’s:
"You have to get very comfortable with no's and failures. That's normal." ([42:15]) -
Trust Yourself:
Encouraged by advice from Sarah Blakely and Kris Jenner, they emphasize the importance of trusting one's instincts and gut feelings in decision-making.
Phoebe Gates:
"You need to trust yourself... It's easy to get caught in cycles of self-doubt, but you need to believe in your decisions." ([70:29])
Gen Z Response and Market Impact ([40:48]-[51:51])
Fia has resonated strongly with the Gen Z audience, achieving notable rankings in top shopping charts shortly after launch. The startup's focus on sustainability and smart shopping aligns with the values of their target demographic.
Phoebe Gates:
"Two days after we launched, we hit number 21 on the top shopping charts and have stayed in the top 100 consistently." ([45:38])
Sophia adds that the lack of existing tools tailored for smart, sustainable shopping provided a unique niche for Fia to thrive.
Sophia Kianni:
"Shopping really hasn't changed since we moved online. There's nothing that tells you if something's a good deal... except hiring a personal shopper." ([47:05])
Personal Anecdotes and Light-hearted Moments ([57:29]-[80:58])
The latter part of the episode transitions into a more casual and humorous exchange between the hosts and guests, covering topics like guilty pleasures, quirky DMs, and personal habits. These moments humanize the guests, showcasing their personalities beyond their professional achievements.
Sophia Kianni:
"Lil Uzi asked me to go go karting with him, so we went go karting and it was a great time." ([71:28])
Phoebe Gates:
"My biggest ick is when you clearly communicate something and someone doesn't follow through or prioritizes other things." ([78:52])
Conclusion
Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni provide a compelling narrative of youthful ambition, resilience, and the pursuit of meaningful entrepreneurship. Their journey with Fia exemplifies the importance of adaptability, self-belief, and aligning business ventures with personal values. Aspiring entrepreneurs can draw valuable lessons from their experiences, particularly in navigating the challenges of building a startup as young women in the tech industry.
Notable Quotes:
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Sophia Kianni:
"The universe winks at you." ([69:17]) -
Phoebe Gates:
"You need to talk to people who understand your value and believe in what you're building." ([22:50]) -
Lauryn Bosstick:
"First, you have to launch fast and get it out there, get feedback, and be willing to adjust." ([41:35])
This episode offers a blend of professional insights and personal stories, making it an enriching listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, especially young women navigating the startup ecosystem.