Celebrating the Incredible Women of 2024
In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, AsiaOne is turning up the spotlight on women who are smashing the status quo from every corner of life. Check out the whole lineup here—though we’re not puttin’ click‑bait links in the text, just a teaser.
The Wave‑Maker: Priscillia Wu
Picture this: a young entrepreneur who knew next to nothing about hair styling, juggled two phones, and landed a tiny startup. Fast forward to today—she earns a punch‑out five‑figure salary every month. Yes, three figures. And he that figure’s got a sting to it.
- Zero Hair‑Styling Skills Priscillia learned on the job.
- Side Hustle Started by offering free consultations on the sidewalk.
- Five‑Figure Income The doors to profits opened after a daring 12‑month plan.
It wasn’t an overnight jackpot; it was a steady grind with some missteps that made her story even more relatable.
What Makes Her Story Stand Out
- Relatability: It’s the kind of journey many of us can see themselves in.
- Triumph Over Adversity: No fancy college degree but a lot of hustle.
- Financial Mastery: Turning skills into income that’s out of the box.
Already, Priscillia’s formula is a reminder that dreaming big isn’t limited to the conference room—it can start from a broom closet, a borrowed mirror, or a doodle of a haircut on a napkin.
“Let’s just try lah!”
Once a Singapore Airlines stewardess, Priscillia, 30, shares how she faced “nasty” comments from her extended family when she decided to try her hand at taking over her mum’s 40-year-old hair salon, Jin Hair.
“Some looked down on hairdressing because it’s not a very ‘aspiring’ job,” she said.
Priscillia’s grandmother and aunts even questioned her: ” [why] take up a job that you have to stand for long hours, don’t make good money, [and] have no time for your family”.
The then 25-year-old, who was working in a health screen company after flying for two years, took no notice of their well-meaning advice and stuck to her guns. The real reason for taking over the salon? It was precious to Priscillia’s mum as she has been running it for many years she said.
“I think it’d be very sad to see it close down due to the lack of digitalisation.
“I was like, ‘let’s just try lah, who knows, it could be very fulfilling?’ And I thought I could be happier doing this than being stuck in an office job, which I’ve tried doing before.”
Five years on, Priscillia has proved her naysayers, and society wrong.
This mother of two – a two-year-old and a new born child – has expanded her team of hairstylists. She has also almost doubled the size of her salon in Chinatown as well as gave the space a total facelift.
The salon now houses a brighter interior, an Instagrammable vertical garden-like wall, and a cute neon signage in the shape of the mother-daughter duo. It’s a stark contrast from the rest of the stores at People’s Park Centre.
How One Stylist Turned a Pandemic Into a Fresh Start
When the world’s economy was wobbling like a nervous cat in a rainstorm, she was the one who proved that anything could be made hair‑good again.
Why it mattered
- New Customers. People found that a quick trip to Johor Bahru was the easiest way to get a crowning glory without poking their noses in Malaysian borders.
- Singaporean Trend. Turns out the real hair destination for many Singaporeans is just across the highway.
- Ill‑kept Quarantine. The pandemic gave a surprising boost to the go‑to salon vibe—no more stiff air‑conditioned offices, just a friendly, buzzing waiting area.
Her Take‑away Pep‑Talk
“Covid didn’t make things tricky for us. In fact, a swath of fresh faces kept arriving because they couldn’t visit Malaysia,” she chuckled. “I didn’t actually know about this hair‑shopping trend until it became mom‑to‑mom ‘yes, we’ve done that’ chatter. Now it’s why we’re bustling.”
One Stylist’s Spunky Secret
She swears that a dash of humor, a sprinkle of empathy, and a generous scoop of “you’re in good hands” is the winning recipe. And guess what? It didn’t just attract customers; it kept her team humming with the kind of joy that only a salon can produce.
Zero returns in her first year
From Zero to Hero: A Girlboss’s Early Struggle
Year One – The Empty Wallet
Picture this: a confident entrepreneur, living the #girlboss dream, now savoring the sweet taste of success. But behind that lusciously sweet reality lay a rocky first year that left her pockets completely empty.
“When I entered the scene, my mum handed me the reins straight away,” she shares. “She told me to cover the shop’s rent—my great‑grandma had bought the place—and pay a modest salary to herself. After dipping into rent, wages, and a few other expenses, I almost had nothing left. It was a sobering curveball.”
Mom’s Ground‑Rule
Her mother, a no‑nonsense matriarch, set the playing field with a simple mantra: “If you keep it tight and efficient, the revenue will follow. If you don’t, you’ll shoulder the losses yourself.” It’s a straightforward deal—no hidden clauses, no secret payouts.
Harmony Without Conflict
Despite the early setbacks, the duo has managed to keep the peace. Priscilla credits the firm, uncomplicated agreement between mother and daughter as the cornerstone of their ongoing partnership. There’s been no major fallout—just a shared learning curve and a steady climb to the top.
- Rent paid by Priscilla to her family’s shop
- Small salary given to her mother
- No profits in the first year
- Ongoing support and mentorship from her mother
- Stronger, united business duo today
“It’s a blessing”
Daily Juggle with Mom
We’re both pretty indecisive, so it’s a relief that Mom’s semi‑retirement is keeping things balanced. She swings in around 2 pm and is off by 6 pm—perfectly doable for her.
The “Blessing” of Working Side‑by‑Side
Priscillia couldn’t help but grin when she talked about teaming up with her mom.
“It’s a big win to have Mom on the same team. One day she might not be around to share the grind with me—so for now I’m lucky to catch her tips and swap stories.”
Below are a few reasons why this partnership feels like pure gold:
- Instant mentor. Mom’s decade of experience is a living classroom.
- Shared hustle. Working together means more fun meetings and fewer solo spreadsheets.
- Future security. Knowing Mom’s well‑rounded advice keeps me from feeling stuck.
In short, seeing her daily, collaborating closely, and soaking up her wisdom is a blessing—and it keeps our very balanced lives running smoothly.
“I still make mistakes”
Priscillia’s Never‑Ending Styling Journey
How It All Started
Picture this: a freshly‑nailed year at Kimage Hairdressing School, a dream to own a salon, and the ultimate test – taking the reins of Jin Hair from her mum. “I must’ve been a hot‑mash of wonder on the scissors,” Priscillia jokes, highlighting her rookie vibe. Hair cutting? One can’t get it right overnight – it’s all about that seasoned touch.
Learning by Doing (and a Fair Share of Oops‑Minks)
- Mum’s the Ultimate Critic: She’d hold a mirror up, watch Priscillia work, and point out every blunder. A living stylesheet of “better‑next‑time” notes.
- First‑Time Cuts: The first few customers were basically her canine‑style guinea pigs, or so she calls them – cabin‑crew buddies, boyfriend‑husband, and her mom.
- Redemption Tokens: For every dissatisfied colour job, one more retouch session turned into a crash course on fine‑tuning. “Repair work is the ultimate test,” she says – it’s painful yet incredibly satisfying.
What Drives the Notebook: Happiness
Priscillia’s mantra? “I want everyone to leave laughing, looking great, and feeling proud.” A smile for each customer and a smile for herself – she keeps it all balanced.
Keeping the Business in the Sweet Spot
“Right now, I’m content with where the salon is. There isn’t any extra appetite for expansion.” She laughs, pointing to the importance of family time, and settles on quality over quantity.
Takeaway
Priscillia’s story isn’t just about hair; it’s a collage of learning, resilience, and family love. She keeps refining her skills, turning mishaps into mentorship moments, and, in the end, making her clients (and herself) proud.
