From earning US$15 on TaskRabbit to winning a 6-figure sum for her wage transparency startup

From US$15 Gigs to a Six-Figure Startup: How One Entrepreneur Rewrote the Rules of Wage Transparency

In the digital age, a viral sensation can erupt overnight, reshaping industries and challenging long-held norms. In 2022, a Malaysian initiative known for its straightforward approach to a deeply ingrained taboo – discussing salaries – took the nation by storm. Within days, it garnered hundreds of thousands of followers, fundamentally altering how people perceived and discussed their earnings.

This groundbreaking movement, which offered a transparent view of salaries filterable by industry and experience, was the brainchild of Prestine Davekhaw. Four years on, the impact of this platform continues to resonate, fostering a new openness around compensation.

The Unconventional Path to a PR and Advertising Degree

Before she became a celebrated entrepreneur, Davekhaw was already demonstrating remarkable resourcefulness. Her journey to establishing a successful venture began with the pressing need to finance her education while pursuing a degree in Public Relations and Advertising in the United States.

Navigating Imposter Syndrome at Home

Hailing from Penang and educated in a Chinese school, Davekhaw’s initial academic aspirations leaned towards journalism in Taiwan. However, fate steered her towards Chicago, a significant departure from her original plans.

She candidly admits that her mother wasn't always a staunch advocate for higher education. Despite her elder sister's academic prowess, her mother hadn't supported her medical school ambitions.

Yet, when it was Davekhaw's turn, her mother's perspective shifted. Her mother's then-partner, who had sent his own children to the US, championed the benefits of an education that fostered critical thinking. He convinced Davekhaw that a US degree would grant her a "global academic passport," enabling her to work anywhere in the world, unlike a Taiwanese degree which might limit her to Taiwan.

This advice led her to enroll in the American University Program at INTI International University. It was there she encountered a cohort of exceptionally bright students who communicated with remarkable fluency in English.

While many students experience imposter syndrome when studying abroad, Davekhaw felt it even within her home country. She reflects, "That gave me a lot of stress; I felt like I never fit in."

Seeking an environment where she might feel more comfortable, she chose a path less traveled. While many opted for state institutions, she selected DePaul University, a private institution known for its smaller class sizes, where she would pursue her PR and advertising degree.

The Financial Tightrope of Studying Abroad

The reality of private university tuition costs, however, soon became apparent. Davekhaw realized that her choice of Chicago, while perhaps more affordable than New York or Los Angeles, still presented significant financial challenges.

Her mother, too, struggled to adapt to the unexpected expenses. "The first two semesters, she was giving me a lot of small complaints about the financial situation," Davekhaw recalls. "That gave me a lot of stress, so I just told her that I’m going to try to make it out on my own."

This resolve spurred her to seek out opportunities to help fund her education. She began utilizing an online marketplace designed to connect freelance service workers with individuals needing household help. This platform became a crucial resource for her.

Fortunately, a scholarship provided her with a social security number, granting her the legal right to work in the US. She leveraged this by applying for a credit card, not for personal gain, but to help other students manage their tuition payments while she accumulated credit card points. A social security number, essential for tracking earnings and managing government benefits, proved instrumental in this strategy.

"I was being really resourceful," the PR and advertising degree student explains. Interestingly, this resourceful approach wasn't entirely her own initiative; it was inspired by tips and ideas shared by fellow international students.

She found particular support from Chinese students with whom she could communicate in their native language. "Being bilingual in that university benefited me a lot," she notes. "They trust Malaysians, because they know we are talented in languages."

[Image placeholder: A photo of Prestine Davekhaw in Malaysia, perhaps with a camera, suggesting her travel and documentation work.]

From Odd Jobs to Artistic Endeavors: The Photography Pivot

To secure the most lucrative opportunities on the freelance platform, Davekhaw learned to stay vigilant, monitoring the app for new tasks and quickly bidding on them.

"While I was in class, I would just keep tapping on the app, and I would schedule all the work between classes," she recounts.

While many tasks, such as delivering flowers, offered modest compensation around US$15, she noticed that photography gigs commanded significantly higher rates, often reaching US$100.

Despite not owning a camera, she ingeniously borrowed equipment from friends to seize these more profitable opportunities. Her talent quickly became apparent, leading some international students to enlist her help in their photography classes.

One student was so impressed with Davekhaw's photographic eye that she persuaded her father to purchase a Leica camera specifically for Davekhaw to use. "It was crazy lucky [for me]," the PR and advertising degree graduate admits. "All of my friends at that time, they were very generous in lending help to enable me to do the things that I was doing."

This experience underscored the importance of honesty about one's situation and a genuine receptiveness to assistance. Without open communication, potential helpers are unable to offer support.

Speaking with Davekhaw, one senses an individual without pretense. She openly acknowledges her vulnerabilities and readily accepts help, qualities that are often rare in successful entrepreneurs.

[Image placeholder: A visual representing the "Disappearing Cultures" project, perhaps a collage of diverse individuals or professions.]

Questioning the Advertising Path and Finding a New Purpose

Through her photography work, Davekhaw connected with a prominent fashion influencer from Malaysia. Their professional relationship spanned several years, continuing even after Davekhaw returned to Malaysia, weary of her constant hustle.

However, as she collaborated with various fashion clients and influencers, a persistent question began to surface: "Am I wasting my degree? Why am I not working in a company?"

Her internship experiences had also cast doubt on a traditional career in advertising. She observed the intense effort dedicated to promoting mundane products, leading her to question the ultimate purpose. "I like the creativity, but do I like to sell things to people? I don’t think so."

A similar sense of unease accompanied her fashion photography shoots. "When I’m on a shoot, there are a lot of bad things that happen. Influencers and models might have bad tempers and throw tantrums. But I can create beautiful images to sell things you don’t need."

Although that particular industry no longer felt fulfilling, photography remained a significant passion. It was this passion that ultimately led to the creation of her most impactful venture.

Davekhaw found herself struggling to locate reliable freelance photography rates. This frustration sparked the idea for a centralized platform dedicated to freelance compensation and salary information – the very platform that would become a national phenomenon.

The PR and advertising degree graduate never anticipated the immense success of her salary transparency initiative. Initially conceived to address her own needs, it evolved into the preeminent resource for wage and salary data in Malaysia.

Beyond her work with the salary platform, Davekhaw has cultivated a creative outlet that allows her unique storytelling abilities to flourish. Through a project focused on documenting "Disappearing Cultures," she captures the essence of professions, traditions, and individuals whose stories risk being lost to time. This endeavor has garnered a substantial following and attracted brand partnerships, showcasing the enduring power of visual storytelling.

Davekhaw's journey serves as a powerful testament to the unexpected pathways that education and passion can forge. Her PR and advertising degree, combined with her resourcefulness and artistic talent in photography, ultimately paved the way for her to create a platform that not only achieved commercial success but also fostered significant societal change.