Human resource software firm Workstream co-founder and SMU alumnus Desmond Lim shared how his family background spurred him to start the company for hourly workers. He also shared that while studying in Hwa Chong Institution, he worked part-time as a tutor and later pooled his savings with two friends to start a Thai restaurant that they ran for three years while studying at SMU, hiring dozens of part-timers in the process. The money Desmond earned running the restaurant helped pay his university fees. The three pals sold the restaurant after completing their studies. Workstream has gained strong traction, with more than 10 million people having used its platform, including companies like McDonald’s, Subway, Dunkin Donuts, Ace Hardware and UPS. Workstream also onboarded the Economic Development Board and Enterprise Singapore’s Tech@SG Programme in February, which aims to help fast-growing companies access the critical talent they need to grow and scale their business in Singapore and the region.