COVID-19 brought challenges for everyone, but for Jaguar Lim Boon Seng, founder of Country’s Tid-Bits & Candies Cottage, it turned into a financial nightmare. As businesses everywhere struggled to adapt, Jaguar Lim faced devastating losses that shook the foundation of his beloved brand. In a Facebook video, he opens up about the staggering financial blow his company endured during those trying times.

For decades, Jaguar Lim poured his heart into building Country’s Tid-Bits & Candies Cottage into a cherished brand. Known for its irresistible local snacks and delicacies, the chain became a household name, evoking feelings of nostalgia and home for Malaysians everywhere. The business thrived, winning over customers with its dedication to quality and tradition.
But when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, everything changed. Strict regulations, such as travel restrictions and one-person-per-car limits, brought his flourishing business to a grinding halt. What followed was a test of resilience and determination that even Jaguar Lim’s unwavering spirit could not have anticipated.
The Struggles of MCO

When the MCO was implemented, businesses across Malaysia were thrown into disarray. For Jaguar Lim, the impact was nothing short of devastating. With revenue plunging by 90%, the financial strain became nearly unbearable. Each month, he faced the enormous burden of maintaining his operations. Rental costs for over 15 outlets, each averaging RM35,000 per month, amounted to over RM500,000 monthly, while salaries for his 100+ employees added another RM200,000+. These fixed costs alone totaled almost RM600,000 each month.
Yet, the business saw little income to offset these expenses. For a thriving company to suddenly lose nearly all its revenue, the results were catastrophic. In just three months, losses reached RM1.8 million. By the sixth month, the figure ballooned to RM3.6 million, and by the end of a year, the cumulative loss stood at RM7.2 million. It was a financial tsunami that even the most successful entrepreneurs would struggle to withstand.
Adding to the difficulty were the restrictions enforced during the pandemic. The government’s rules limited travel to a 10-kilometer radius, with only one person allowed per vehicle. For a business reliant on logistics, foot traffic, and the in-person shopping experience, this made recovery nearly impossible.
A Legacy of Resilience

Before the pandemic turned the world upside down, Jaguar Lim had already proven himself as a visionary entrepreneur. Starting from scratch, he built Country’s Tid-Bits & Candies Cottage into a thriving business. His stores became a staple in shopping malls across Malaysia, offering customers a nostalgic taste of home through carefully curated local delicacies.
Over time, his brand became synonymous with quality, tradition, and a sense of community. When the pandemic hit, Jaguar Lim’s entrepreneurial journey took an unexpected turn. For the first time in decades, he faced the prospect of starting over.
Picking Up the Pieces
Today, Jaguar Lim has scaled back his business to focus on sustaining his daily living expenses. Though the scale of his work has shifted, his commitment to resilience remains as strong as ever. He acknowledges the difficulties but chooses to see them as opportunities for growth.
For Jaguar Lim, this period of rebuilding is not just about survival but also about rediscovering the core values that brought him success in the first place. He envisions relaunching Country’s Tid-Bits & Candies Cottage with a renewed focus. More than anything, Jaguar Lim wants to prove that setbacks, no matter how severe, are not the end of the road.
“Even though I’m running a small business now, I have experience. I started from being a hawker to creating five companies and becoming a chairman. I have rich experience, and I’m waiting for the right time to start a new business again,” he shares.
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