Hi, I’m Marisa.
I describe myself as an Entrepreneur, Investor & Business Mentor. My purpose is to support women, amplify their impact and achieve success on their terms.
I was made in Hong Kong, born in New Zealand and raised in West Auckland by my hard working parents who owned and sold restaurants. As the oldest of five, I learnt about the value of hard work, relationship building and creating financial freedom. I am best known for co-founding Madison Recruitment, New Zealand’s largest privately owned recruitment company which we successfully exited in 2013 when it was acquired in a record breaking $40 million deal.
I see now that was a pivotal moment for me - sitting down with my parents to share the news and seeing the look on their faces helped me to grasp the magnitude of what I had just achieved which admittedly I hadn’t quite registered myself.
Building Madison Recruitment was both a rewarding and gruelling experience, but it is what I got in return that has been the real gift. Once I exited, I had the opportunity to reflect and choose my next business ventures intentionally, which was the start of my understanding of how aligning your work with your values and strengths can make work energizing and fun through gaining purpose
Don’t get me wrong, I know first-hand the grind required to grow a business; in fact I have been through it time and time again as a serial entrepreneur, but I firmly believe with the right support, it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or drain you of your passion, rather like a systematic roadmap to success which I have used consistently.
By working off the same roadmap, you can experience this for yourself and build the business and life you deserve. I get immense joy from seeing the lightbulbs go off and women realising their own capability. Combined with a sense of purpose, I see a renewed drive and belief to create the business they want!
My Why?
Inspired by my mother, it’s an ongoing mission for me to amplify the presence of women in every sphere they work in because I see the ripple effect on their community when they’re successful and how this makes the world a better place. Women are wired to do good so my goal is to impact 5oo women in 5 years so that they can go on to create real and positive impact for their communities.
In 2020, I was inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs recognising my contribution to entrepreneurship and support of women in business. I was so proud to be awarded this because it told me that I was on the right track.
I can’t wait to meet you!
