Breaking the mould

From building one of New Zealand’s top recruitment firms to championing women entrepreneurs, Marisa Fong’s journey is a masterclass in breaking moulds, thinking bigger, and lifting others as you rise.

Marisa Fong is no stranger to business success. As the Co-Founder of Madison Recruitment – one of New Zealand’s most respected recruitment companies – she helped build and eventually sell the firm in a major deal, a move that many would see as the pinnacle of an entrepreneurial journey.

But for Marisa, that was just the beginning. Today, she’s combining her business acumen with a passionate commitment to lifting up other women in business.

“I don’t have a mould,” Marisa says simply. “I’m not very conformist to what people might expect of a first-born Chinese woman.”

Born in Auckland shortly after her mother immigrated from Hong Kong, Marisa’s journey has always been about bucking expectations – whether it was marrying outside her culture, raising just one child, or founding and scaling businesses across multiple industries.

Now, she’s using her voice, experience, and networks to help more women entrepreneurs find their footing.

A non-conformist path to entrepreneurship

Marisa’s early career, rooted in professional recruitment, gave her a unique insight into business dynamics, but it was her instinct to break away from traditional expectations that propelled her success.

“I think [entrepreneurs] do take non-traditional paths to get in. That’s why we’re in business, because it’s not a traditional way to make a living,” she says.

She shares that she never attended university, a fact that once made her feel like an outlier. But in hindsight, that lack of formal education became a strength, forcing her to learn on the fly, lean into risk, and adapt quickly.

“It’s all about risk and understanding the risk – and then what is the worst-case scenario, right? And if you can live with that, then you move forward from there.”

This pragmatic approach underpins her business philosophy today: Understand what you don’t know, seek advice from those ahead of you, and always stay curious.

One of Marisa’s biggest learnings is that success isn’t solely about the bottom line – it’s about the quality of life you build. She’s intentional about integrating business with a meaningful personal life. “Success for me is the partnerships – having a long-standing marriage, having good relationships with my family, and being financially comfortable so I can take risks without worry,” she says.

She believes that successful entrepreneurs should think holistically. “The biggest decision you’ll ever make is who you end up with as your life partner. They’re either a cheerleader, neutral, or a detractor,” Marisa says.

Playing it forward

Following the sale of Madison, Marisa didn’t just sit back. She invested her energy into supporting emerging businesses, particularly those led by women. Through her involvement in Flying Kiwi Angels, the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), and her own initiatives like re:ampd, Marisa has become a powerhouse advocate for women entrepreneurs.

She is deeply aware of the systemic barriers women face, particularly around finance. “I really wish that financial institutions were better placed to work with female founders. Typically women are much more conservative in risk, and many don’t realise that they actually could leverage a strong balance sheet for growth.”

Recognising the gap in financial education for women business owners, Marisa is running webinars and masterclasses focused on building financial resilience. “Bank debt is actually one of the cheapest forms of debt – if you can get it,” she says. Helping women understand and embrace financial tools is, for her, an act of empowerment.

“I can get quite offended when I meet women who are really amazing and don’t see that about themselves. I’m trying to unlock that for them – so they can see themselves the way others see them.”

Her goal isn’t necessarily to turn every woman into a CEO of a multinational, but to ensure women have the choice and autonomy to shape their own futures – whether that’s through building a sustainable business, achieving financial independence, or simply owning their time.

“Even if they’ve created a job for themselves but have authorship over their own time, that’s still powerful,” Marisa says.

Marisa credits much of her success – and personal growth – to the networks she has built and nurtured. “New Zealand’s such a small place – we’re a village.”

She says that being part of groups like EO has given her access to a rich source of wisdom, support, and lifelong friendships. “Every month, you have this compulsory reflection, and that really helps inform and improve your life experiences.”

But she is quick to note that building genuine connections requires reciprocity. “If you’re asking someone for help, always think: What can I do to help them?” Relationships should be a two-way street – and for those just starting out, Marisa recommends joining industry groups, attending events, and finding mentors through shared communities rather than relying on cold-call type LinkedIn messages.

Think simple, act big

Marisa says that she is energised by what she sees happening in New Zealand’s entrepreneurial landscape, particularly among women. “There’s a real movement of women’s organisations – women wanting to connect with other women in business, building their own communities,” she says, crediting groups such as PowrSuit and Empower Her as examples of a rising tide of connection and support.

Yet she acknowledges a cultural hurdle: Ambition. “We need to think bigger. In New Zealand, a $10 million turnover sounds huge – but globally, that’s tiny,” she says. Encouraging entrepreneurs to dream beyond local markets is one of her missions, alongside celebrating those quiet, massive successes that often fly under the radar in Kiwi culture.

Marisa has created her own investment portfolio including a number of start-ups, both directly and via Flying Kiwi Angels. Her investments span across sectors including telco, HR tech, manufacturing, biotech and fintech.

When asked what she looks for in a start-up pitch, Marisa’s answer is sharp: “You’ve really got to have done your research. You have to be able to explain the problem you solve so simply that a five-year-old would understand.”

She’s an advocate for early customer validation – showcasing a prototype or demo before sinking too much investment into product development. “Demo first, get feedback, then create your MVP,” she advises.

It’s a process she believes leads to stronger, more investable businesses.

Ultimately, Marisa’s entrepreneurial journey isn’t just about building businesses – it’s about building people. Through her mentoring, investing, and speaking, she’s planting seeds for a future where more women can live fully, lead boldly, and succeed on their own terms.

“Where will you be in your 60s?” she asks women entrepreneurs.

“Because when you get there, you’ll want financial security, choices, and a legacy that matters.”

For Marisa, success is no longer about conforming to any mould – it’s about breaking them, and helping others do the same.