Founders of the fashion pricing startup Phia, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, encountered persistent inquiries from investors regarding the potential impact of having children on their business while pitching. In response, they have highlighted the significance of documenting accomplishments to demonstrate professional value and combat such bias. Gates recommends that women maintain a “win sheet” to assert their merit. The duo, recent graduates in their early twenties seeking support for their startup Phia, were taken aback when the topic of their future children arose during investor discussions. Despite their focus on their business venture, questions about their personal lives persisted, prompting frustration for Phoebe, 22, who sought advice from her mother, Melinda French Gates. The businesswoman advised her daughter to stay determined in the face of adversity. Phoebe recounted this experience on a podcast, underscoring the challenges faced by women in overcoming the double standard related to having children. The duo emphasized the importance of proving their worth and confronting stereotypes. Phia’s inception stemmed from the collaboration of the Stanford roommates, who transitioned from rivals to business partners. While exploring various ideas, they settled on a concept that aligned with their combined expertise in sustainability and women’s empowerment. Despite being new to the market, the Gen Z founders already advocate for women in the workplace to maintain a record of their accomplishments to showcase their value and dispel doubts. Phoebe, drawing from her background as the daughter of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, emphasized the impact of presenting tangible evidence to support one’s contributions. She noted that employees who can provide concrete proof of their achievements are more likely to be recognized and valued in their professional environments.
If you can confidently present your accomplishments to your boss and assert, “Here is my track record of success, here is the value I have contributed to the company, and here is the recognition I deserve,” then you are truly on the path to success. Additionally, they have revealed that their podcast, The Burnouts, is now part of Cooper’s Unwell media network. This article was initially published on Fortune.com.
