Christie Stickney
Independent Consultant

“Financing the Growth of Enterprise (How did they do it?!?)”

Christy will ask the question of how entrepreneurs transition from microenterprises to small businesses. By looking at time series data from financial institutions and enterprises in multiple markets, her research will identify patterns and practices among entrepreneurs who have utilized financial services while successfully growing their businesses. The research will also leverage face-to-face interviews with selected clients and their loan officers beyond institution-level data. The purpose of the research is to offer insight into what a successful business model would be for MFIs seeking to expand their outreach into the small business sector, and better serve their current client base in growing their enterprises beyond the micro-level. Christy has been engaged in microfinance since 1993, having developed loan and savings products for women micro-entrepreneurs and then going on to design a variety of other types of financial products and services. Since 2010 she has worked as a consultant in financial services and inclusive market development, and is based in Costa Rica.