Happy Home, Happy Business: ‘Be Prepared for Changes

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A parent’s job is never done. Even when kids are all grown up, parents still a large amount of time worrying about their children’s safety and future. Ask any empty-Nester and they will tell you. The dynamic also shifts slightly where the children take a parental role, taking care of their parents now advancing in age and unable to do all they were able to do in the past. For a lucky few empty-nesters, quiet retirement can be staved off by pursuing passion projects. Some continue to work well into old age, meaning their children worry less about them and their financial security. But what happens when such passion projects in the way of businesses are affected by an unexpected global pandemic?

For Mr. Kim Loh and his wife Mrs. Ping Ping Loh, operators of Nyonya Kitchen, the silence of their empty-Nester lives were balanced out by the bustling nature of running a popular restaurant in the heart of Beijing. But when COVID-19 struck, it shook the confidence of these Beijing veterans who also lived through the SARS outbreak of 2003. At a time when businesses are facing mass closures despite Beijing slowly returning to normal, Mr. and Mrs. Loh contend with the lasting damage inflicted on Beijing’s expat entrepreneurs, forcing them to reevaluate, re-strategize and even contemplate closing what has now become a mainstay in Beijing’s restaurant scene. Mr. and Mrs. Loh stand as testaments to just how far entrepreneurs are willing to go to salvage what is left of their businesses even when the odds are stacked up against them.

How long has the business been in operation?

Our most recent restaurant opened on 31st March 2017. Our first restaurant started in December of 2004 in GaoJiaYuan, near Lido Hotel, Chaoyang District.

How long have you and your family been in China and what made you decide to move this Far East?

We came here in September 1991 after Kim Loh was seconded here by KFC Malaysia to operate their three joint ventures in China as their Chief of Finance. Our boys were 6, 4, and 1 years old.

What were you and your family’s initial reactions when COVID-19 first hit the news?

All our three boys are now married and living in different parts of the world. Our eldest son is living in Lausanne, Switzerland, our second son in Dallas, Texas, and our youngest son in Melbourne, Australia. When COVID 19 first hit China, we had just returned from Melbourne, Australia after visiting with our youngest son’s family over Christmas and New Year.

Initially, we were not too worried as we had gone through the SARS Epidemic in Beijing. As the news from China went out on the seriousness of the Virus, our three sons were rather worried for us. Initially, we were asked to get out and return to Melbourne to live with our youngest son there. However as time went on with flights being canceled and Australia’s restriction on all travelers from China, this plan has to be put on hold.

What were your expectations as far as the virus and its effect on daily life and business in Beijing?

We expect that business will be very badly affected and many will close permanently as people will get used to social distancing and working from home. As the economy goes into recessions, people will have less money to spend and will not be going out to restaurants for meals as much as before. There will be a lot more meals on deliveries and take away.

What has been the reality for you and your family during the peak of the virus?

As our restaurant was closed during the peak of the virus, we had no income and have had to live on our savings and spend as little as possible. We planned to close the restaurant and leave Beijing as we were not sure how long this situation would last.

How, if at all, has your business been affected by the current situation?

It has been very bad for our business as we were closed for two months and when we reopen sales have dropped to about 30% of our normal takings.

What form of support have you received from the expat community here in Beijing for both your family’s and business’s well-being?

As we were planning to close the restaurant, an expat investor offered to take over the operation of the business as he felt it will be such a shame to close down the Nyonya Kitchen which has been serving authentic Malaysian cuisines for so many years in Beijing. When we reopened many expat customers came to patronize our restaurant and we are thankful for their support.

Do you believe the current situation will permanently change the face of business in Beijing?

We do not think it will permanently change the business situation but it will take a long time to return to normal as before.

As the city continues to return to business as normal, what are some of the plans you have set in place for your business to ensure it is not adversely affected by such an unexpected situation in the future?

We have found an investor to take over the operation of our restaurant business as we plan to move to Melbourne to be with our family.

As a business owner/professional, what has been your biggest takeaway from this period of uncertainty?

Our one take-away is that we cannot assume things will continue as expected and we need to be prepared for changes at any moment and therefore always have sufficient reserves and be adaptable to the new situation.

As a parent and partner, what have you learned from or about your family that will help shape your family life in the future?

As always a relationship with family members is of utmost importance more than business or career etc. as these can end at any sudden moment. Therefore take time to spend with family members wherever they may be.

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Has the current situation deterred you from continuing to be a part of the business landscape in Beijing or are you here to stay?

At this stage of our lives, we were already planning to retire from active engagement in our business and this current COVID-19 made us more resolved on this and to spend time with our children and their families.

What advice would you give to other business owners in Beijing at this time?

Hang in there, be creative and adaptable, negotiate with your landlord and staff to reduce costs, and be prepared for the business to return.

How can other expat families show their support for expat business owners in Beijing?

In our case, come and support our restaurant business either at our restaurant or order deliveries.

Any words of encouragement or hope for the international community as a whole in Beijing?

We still see a bright future for businesses in Beijing, given the size of the market and the Chinese resilience to endure and overcome difficult situations like this.

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Photos: Mrs. Ping Ping Loh

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