07. From a Toxic Job to Becoming a Millionaire Agency Founder! - Marisa Fong

Ever felt like your business is your identity? Join us as Marisa shares her story from corporate life to building a multi-million dollar company and what it felt like to let it go! In this episode, we discuss the challenges of rapid business growth, maintaining company culture, and the emotional journey of selling Madison for an eight-figure sum. Marisa opens up about the identity crisis that comes with such a transition and the importance of finding the right investors who truly align with your vision, rather than forcing yourself into a mold that doesn’t fit.About our guest:Marisa Fong is an entrepreneur, investor, and speaker dedicated to supporting women in achieving success on their own terms. In 1998, she co-founded Madison Recruitment, which became a benchmark in the NZ recruitment industry and was acquired in a multimillion-dollar deal in 2013. Since then, Marisa has founded multiple businesses across skincare, consulting, and manufacturing while building a diverse investment portfolio spanning Telco, HRTech, Biotech, and Fintech. Passionate about fostering positive business culture and empowering female founders, she actively mentors women and serves as Chair of Simplicity Foundation and Board Advisor to a private company.Follow Our Guest:Website: https://www.marisafong.co/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marisa_b_fong/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Marisa.FongLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisafong/Follow Us On:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_powerhouse_alliance/Episode Highlights:00:00 - Episode Trailer02:32 - When leadership ignores critical business failures04:53 - A Defining Moment at 1209:04 - When to lead, when to check in12:44 - Chasing Opportunities vs. Choosing the Right Ones18:48 - Marisa’s Craziest Business Experience22:18 - The Birth of Madison Recruitment26:00 - The Tea Towel Roster30:16 - Letting Go of Madison Recruitment36:08 - Finding Yourself in a New Version of You38:45 - Why the World Needs More Female Entrepreneurs41:36 - Find Your Tribe44:49 - Understanding Your Personal Version of Success51:06 - Success is About Impact, Not Just Numbers