From Dorm Rooms to $8 Million in Funding: Life Lessons from the Founders of Phia

From Dorm Rooms to $8 Million in Funding: Life Lessons from the Founders of Phia

In the debut episode of Ambition 2.0, host Amanda Goetz sits down with Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni—the visionary co-founders of Phia, the AI-powered shopping assistant backed by Hailey Bieber, Kris Jenner, Sheryl Sandberg, and other major investors. From meeting as college roommates at Stanford and launching Phia as a class project to raising an $8M seed round for their company, Phoebe and Sophia have been through it all together. They get candid about building a tech startup from scratch, navigating friendship as co-founders, and learning how to set boundaries to avoid burnout. They open up about: The real meaning of work-life balance (and does it even exist?) Why personal branding is a superpower for founders The “ground rules” that keep their friendship—and business—thriving Lessons from their fundraising journey and startup leadership The creative philosophy behind their own podcast, The Burnouts Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or just love a good founder origin story, this episode dives deep into ambition, friendship, and what it takes to build something groundbreaking. (00:00) Intro (03:50) The origin story of Phia (05:18) Building the Phia team and shaping company culture (11:50) Raising $8M with high-profile investors (14:15) Friendship “ground rules” for co-founders (23:10) Burnout, boundaries, and balance (28:42) Work-life balance (30:45) Why personal branding matters more than ever (32:00) Rapid-fire questions (38:23) Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs GUEST LINKS Phoebe Gates: https://www.instagram.com/phoebegates/ Sophia Kianni: https://www.instagram.com/sophiakianni/ Phia: https://www.instagram.com/phiaco/ The Burnouts Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/theburnouts/ FOLLOW THE PODCAST IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/ https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast SIGN UP Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter, filled with career inspiration and intel for ambitious women: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/ For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/ DISCLAIMER This episode is sponsored by Semrush. Check out Semrush One, the only solution built for the next era of search. It unites Semrush’s leading traditional SEO tools with powerful AI search capabilities, all in one place, so you can make smarter, faster marketing decisions. Search moves fast, and you should have the right solution to stay ahead of the curve. Trusted by 10M+ marketers worldwide, try it today at semrush.com. #Ambition2Point0 #PhoebeGates #SophiaKianni #PhiaAI #GirlbossPodcast #WomenInBusiness #AIShopping #Startups #FemaleFounders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Bethany Cosentino, Singer & Songwriter, Best Coast

Bethany Cosentino, Singer & Songwriter, Best Coast

Bethany Cosentino is the epitome of California cool. She's the front woman and songwriter for the hit band Best Coast, which released its acclaimed album California Nights in May.  The band will be hitting the road with Wavves and Cherry Glazerr for their Summer is Forever II tour in February. On this episode, Sophia and Bethany discuss Bethany's karaoke days in Pasadena, touring with Best Coast, and Little Caesars' pizza ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

17 Dec 201551min

Sarah Wilkinson, Vice President of Design, Nasty Gal

Sarah Wilkinson, Vice President of Design, Nasty Gal

Sarah Wilkinson is Nasty Gal's VP of Design. She grew up in the UK, went to art school, and worked at ASOS for six years as its Head of Womenswear Design. On the episode, Sophia and Sarah celebrate Sarah's three year anniversary at Nasty Gal, swoon over living in Florence, and discuss bobblehats -- lots and lots of bobble hats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Dec 201551min

Sloane Crosley, Author

Sloane Crosley, Author

Sloane Crosley is a #Girlboss literary darling. She's the author of two personal essay collections, I Was Told There'd Be Cake and How Did You Get This Number. She’s written for The New York Times, New York Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal, and her work has been a finalist for the Thurber Prize of American Humor. She's recently released her first novel, The Clasp, a story about three friends and their madcap adventure to recover a lost, historic necklace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Dec 201554min

Liz Goldwyn - Author, Director

Liz Goldwyn - Author, Director

Liz Goldwyn is a jack of all trades and a master of all them. Her career ranges from working at Planned Parenthood at age 13, contributing to The New York Times Magazine, and curating Sotheby's fashion department. She is out with her second book, Sporting Guide, which delves into the world of prostitution in 19th century Los Angeles. Sophia and Liz discuss her book, sexuality, buttermilk beauty routines and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25 Nov 201534min

Kay Cannon - Screenwriter, Pitch Perfect & Pitch Perfect 2

Kay Cannon - Screenwriter, Pitch Perfect & Pitch Perfect 2

Kay Cannon is one of the funniest women working in Hollywood today. As a staff writer for 30 Rock and the screenwriter for both Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2, Kay has made kept us laughing in the theaters and in our homes. Sophia and Kay discuss working as a lady in comedy, having Tina Fey as a mentor, and the glory days at Macaroni Grill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 Nov 201550min

Sheree Waterson, CEO Nasty Gal

Sheree Waterson, CEO Nasty Gal

This week, Sophia talks to a personal mentor: Sheree Waterson. Over the past 25 years, Sheree has conquered the retail world - starting as a holiday gift wrapper at Joseph Magnin Co. to rising to the CEO of Nasty Gal. Sheree talks candidly about her successes and challenges at Lululemon, shares her leadership tips, and gives us an inside look at scaling the magic of Nasty Gal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12 Nov 201533min

Madeline Poole, Nail Artist, Author, Global Color Ambassador at Sally Hansen

Madeline Poole, Nail Artist, Author, Global Color Ambassador at Sally Hansen

Madeline Poole is a nail artist queen. She’s painted the famous nails of Miley Cyrus and Stella McCartney. Her tutorials have been featured on Vogue.com, TeenVogue.com, Refinery29, and IntoTheGloss. She’s the Global Color Ambassador for Sally Hansen, and she's the author ofNails, Nails, Nail!: 25 DIY Creative Nail Art Projects. This episode of #girlboss radio is sponsored by Audible.com. Get a free audiobook of your choice at Audible.com/GIRLBOSS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5 Nov 201554min

Grace Helbig, YouTube Personality, Comedian, Author

Grace Helbig, YouTube Personality, Comedian, Author

Grace Helbig is the digital #Girlboss of our dreams. Her hit Youtube channel It's Grace has over 2.5 million subscribers. She hosts the popular podcast Not Too Deep with Grace Helbig, and she's The New York Times bestselling author of Grace’s Guide: The Art of Pretending to Be a Grown-Up. Grace opens up about being a introvert on the web, her controversy with E!, and working as the CEO of her multifaceted brand.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

29 Okt 201524min

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