In a surprise move, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently resurfaced in the startup ecosystem — not as a board member or investor, but as a transient customer service rep at his youngest daughter Phoebe Gates’ fashion-tech startup, Phia.
Phoebe, Phia’s CEO and co-founder, invited her dad to serve a shift responding to customers firsthand. The tech billionaire complied, sharing the experience in a lighthearted and reflective LinkedIn entry.
“I’ve entered the startup world again.” Gates wrote. “When your daughter asks if you’d be willing to work a shift in customer service at her startup, the only right answer is yes.”
Gates Gains Insight from the Ground Up
Describing the experience as “eye-opening,” Gates underscored the significance of frontline jobs in learning about how companies work and how they provide their customers with products and services. He underscored that such roles provide precious lessons that corporate chiefs can easily miss.
“I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on how technology can make systems more efficient, fair, and accessible,” he observed. But I’ve learned over time that the best way to know how something works is to talk directly to the people who use it.”
What Is Phia?
Phia was co-founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni. Phia is an AI-driven shopping platform. Phia has created a browser add-on and app that aims to make online shopping smarter and more sustainable.
As Gates describes, Phia shows “the best prices, surfacing secondhand options, and showing lower-impact alternatives” on more than 40,000 sites. The objective is to enable consumers to make socially responsible, affordable, and environmentally friendly fashion choices.
Tech Titan, Temporary Trainee
Gates’ temporary job was as much a family bonding experience as it was symbolic support for his daughter’s values and entrepreneurial spirit. He commended the pair’s endeavor to transform the way individuals approach shopping.
“It’s been inspiring to see them take on a huge challenge, transforming the way we shop, by meeting users where they are,” Gates penned. “Hopefully, I won’t break anything (no promises),” he quipped.
The humorous sign-off injected a dose of humility and humor, highlighting Gates’ endorsement of the next generation of game-changers—even if it means working behind a customer service counter.
A Legacy of Empowerment
This is consistent with Gates’ earlier stated opinions on wealth and parenting. Earlier this year, in an interview on the ‘Figuring Out With Raj Shamani’ podcast, Gates reinforced his decision to leave less than 1% of his wealth to each of his children.
“It’s not a dynasty, I’m not asking them to run Microsoft. I want to give them a chance to have their earnings and success,” he said.
With Phia, Phoebe Gates is breaking new ground—leveraging technology and innovation to solve consumer problems, and her father is reportedly happy to do his part in any way he can, even if that involves staffing customer service lines.
