Bill Gates with over $120 billion net worth, works as customer support agent in this company without investing a penny
Bill Gates
recently took on a customer service role at Phia, a fashion-tech startup co-founded by his daughter Phoebe Gates and her Stanford classmate Sophia Kianni.
Despite his estimated net worth of over $120 billion, Gates shared that when your daughter asks you to work a shift at her company, 'the only right answer is yes.
' His day on the front lines wasn't just a fatherly gesture—it reflected a growing trend of top executives stepping into hands-on roles to better understand modern startups from the ground up.
Bill Gates trades the boardroom for the help desk
Gates shared the experience on LinkedIn, calling it both insightful and humbling.
He emphasised that working directly with customers is one of the best ways to learn how a system functions—or where it fails. His willingness to take a shift on the help desk speaks volumes about his commitment to mentorship and his belief in learning from the bottom up, regardless of wealth or status.
Phia is a browser extension and mobile app that leverages artificial intelligence to help users shop smarter and more sustainably.
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It compares prices across over 40,000 online stores, offering both new and second-hand options. The platform also highlights eco-friendly alternatives, aligning with Gen Z's growing preference for sustainable fashion. Gates praised Phia for reimagining the online shopping experience and centring environmental values.
Bill Gates steers clear of investment
Interestingly, Bill Gates has not invested financially in Phia. In a podcast, he explained that investing might pull him too deep into the business and risk overshadowing Phoebe and her co-founder.
Instead, he chose to support them through advice, encouragement, and by engaging directly with their customer support system—offering them insights without compromising their autonomy.
Gates joins a small group of influential leaders embracing 'leadership by doing.' Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, for instance, once worked as an Uber Eats driver to gain firsthand experience. According to a Harvard Business School study, most CEOs spend less than 10% of their time with customers or frontline staff.
Gates' one-day customer service stint is part of a broader shift toward more grounded, empathetic leadership styles.
Though brief, Gates' role at Phia serves as a strong reminder that staying relevant in today's world requires humility and curiosity. For a billionaire who helped define the tech era, spending time in customer service may seem small—but it reinforces a powerful principle: the best leaders never stop learning, even if it means starting from the inbox.
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