Fiona MacaulayMaking Cents International make mine a million $ business powered by: count me in

My Story

Fiona has fifteen years of experience in microenterprise development, experiential learning curriculum design, facilitation and organizational capacity building in more than 20 countries in North America, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Central Europe. Fiona’s work is dedicated to equipping youth and adults with the vision, confidence, and skills to find quality employment or to create and grow their own businesses. Fiona is a founding member of the International Development Effectiveness Alliance (IDEA) and a Board Member for the Campaign for Female Education USA Foundation (CAMFED). She has also been a member of the faculty at the annual Microenterprise Development Institute at Southern New Hampshire University. Fiona has won several awards and honors for her work as a leader in the women’s small business community and is active in these as well as youth development networks. She is regularly invited to speak at conferences and other learning events worldwide. Under her leadership, Making Cents has established itself as a world class social enterprise known for finding practical, yet innovative, solutions to problems and for working closely and respectfully with local partners on the ground. Making Cents has also emerged as a leader in the development of the youth enterprise and livelihoods sector by working in a highly collaborative manner with others to create unique learning opportunities and networks that support youth, practitioners, policymakers, and funders to more effectively share and develop programs, policies, and partnerships that positively impact economic opportunities for youth.

My passion:

That each person has entrepreneurial potential, it just needs to be revealed and supported to grow in the way that is right for them.

Why I started my business:

To create a legacy of economic opportunity at the community, national and global levels.

Why I joined the M3 RACE:

To stayed connected with the CMI community, contribute and learn.

Best business advice:

Set your vision ENORMOUS, that way when you come in slightly underneath it will still be significant. And, follow your gut instincts.

My biggest challenge:

Being as strategic as possible in achieving goals.

What helps my business grow:

Having the right colleagues, taking risks to achieve my vision.

How I balance work/life:

Exercise, even if it's just a little bit each day. Being focussed on THEM when I am with my husband, daughter, friends.

Within five years, my business will:

Have substanitally increased self-employment and asset and quality-oriented partners.

My professional affiliations:

International Development Effectiveness Alliance, Campaign for Female Education, Women Advancing Microenterprise, Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education