Entrepreneur, investor, re:ampd founder and director Marisa Fong joined us for a conversation about building better businesses – and why confidence and commercial clarity matter more than hustle.
For those who don’t know you yet, how would you describe what you do and the people you support through your businesses?
I’m driven by one big idea: if we strengthen privately owned businesses, we strengthen New Zealand.
Through re:ampd, I support women business owners in growing profitable, sustainable companies that align with their values.
Having built and exited an eight-figure recruitment business, I understand the realities of scaling – the pressure, the decisions, the trade-offs. Business ownership can be lonely. I was fortunate to grow my company alongside an exceptional partner. Not everyone has that.
My role is to be a strategic sounding board – someone external who can see patterns, challenge assumptions, and help owners focus on what will truly move the needle. We clarify opportunities, prioritise what matters, and create structured accountability, so they stay out of reactive mode and focused on intentional growth.
You founded re:ampd to support women in business – what inspired you to create it, and what gap did you see that needed filling?
There were many business coaches in the market, but very few women who had built and exited a substantial company themselves. I knew firsthand what it takes to scale, and I also knew how differently many women approach growth.
Time and again, I saw highly capable women questioning themselves. When I compared that with the mindset I often observed in male founders, it became clear to me: this is not a capability gap – it’s a confidence gap.
re:ampd was born to close that gap.
I wanted to create a space where women could build strong, commercially viable businesses without burning out, without compromising their values, and without leading in a way that feels inauthentic. A space that holds up the mirror and says: you already have what you need – now let’s build the structure and strategy around it.
What are the most common challenges women come to you with when growing their businesses or careers?
The most common challenge is underestimating their own potential.
I often see women cap their vision early – being more conservative in growth decisions, slower to invest in support, or hesitant to leverage debt strategically. There’s often discomfort around visibility too – not wanting to “put themselves forward” or front their brand.
Financial confidence is another key area. Many women haven’t been taught how to use financial data as a growth tool – how to read margins strategically, how to leverage their balance sheet, or how to price for sustainable profit.
In careers, it’s similar. There’s a belief that good work should speak for itself. But research consistently shows that exposure creates opportunity. Being visible isn’t ego – it’s strategy. That tension can feel uncomfortable when it seems misaligned with personal values.
What excites me is this: when women thrive commercially, they often reinvest in their communities, families, and causes. Many women-led businesses are purpose-driven. Supporting their growth has ripple effects well beyond profit.
What does working with you typically look like – from that first conversation through to the outcome?
It usually starts with a conversation – understanding where they are, what feels stuck, and what outcome they actually want.
From there, engagement can look different:
· Membership in the Members Lounge for community and strategic support
· Small cohort coaching in the Power Room
· Strategic masterclasses (Financial Foundations, Growth & Strategy)
· Custom workshops to map priorities and create a focused growth plan
What I see most often is this: an owner wants clarity first. We run a focused strategy session to define priorities, then shift into quarterly strategic sessions to maintain momentum and recalibrate.
The common thread is accountability. When you’re inside your own business, it’s easy to slip back into reactive mode. Having someone walking alongside you – someone who will challenge, question, and keep you aligned to your goals – changes that.
What impact or shift do you most often see in people after working with you?
Clarity is always the first shift.
Clarity about their value proposition. Clarity about what makes them distinctive. Clarity about what to stop doing.
From there comes confidence – grounded confidence, not hype. We review their commercial model, tighten margins, refine positioning, and ensure they’re being paid fairly for the value they deliver.
I often describe myself as a translator. Business owners are so close to what they do that they can miss what’s obvious to the market. I help reposition their offer in a way that is sharper, more commercially robust and aligned to their strengths.
The outcomes I’ve seen include stronger margins, focused niches, improved revenue, and most importantly, less friction. When someone moves into their zone of genius, growth feels cleaner and more sustainable.
How has being part of the Alberts community supported you as a founder and business owner?
The Alberts space reflects how I want my own brand to feel – professional, thoughtful, and distinctive.
The design ethos creates energy without feeling corporate, which is important for my team and the creative work we do. Clients consistently comment on the space – it elevates the experience of meeting here.
From a practical standpoint, it makes my life easier. The onsite café, catering and flexible meeting rooms allow me to run workshops seamlessly without losing time travelling between venues. As a founder, convenience matters – and Alberts delivers that while still feeling considered and premium.
Thank you to Marisa for sharing her time, experience, and perspective with the Alberts community.