You’re gonna have to read ANDY LIM’s life story (here!) to find out really just why he would leave behind a stable career in the RSAF for the rocky path of becoming an F&B entrepreneur.

Holding nothing back about his incredibly difficult journey, which includes $70,000 losses just to keep the café alive, Andy shares how he’s seen God move in his life and the marketplace through food and community.

It’s time to leave your job.

Quitting didn’t make sense. I had two young kids, no backup plan and a mortgage.

But somehow, I had peace. So, I tendered my resignation to the RSAF. My boss thought I had lost my mind, but I knew leaving was what God told me to do.

After that, I waited and prayed to see what God was doing. Something strange then started to stir within in me, an entrepreneurial desire to step into the marketplace and serve up food and community.

But I wasn’t one of those people who planned to be an entrepreneur. I didn’t have an MBA, I didn’t grow up with a business mindset, and I definitely had no background in F&B.

The only thing I had was obedience — and that came only after encountering God for real.

Nevertheless, God began to orchestrate things, and doors began to open in ways I couldn’t explain. I even got connected with Kith’s founder in a truly divine way — and acting on this Kith franchise opportunity became the clear next step.

Following God’s leading, I took out all my hard-earned savings and our family’s savings — and we took a step of faith to start Kith Café West Coast.

It wasn’t just a business decision, but faith in action. I say that because I didn’t leave the Air Force solely to chase a dream, but because I knew God was calling me to step into something new.

I didn’t know what the outcome would be, but I knew who was leading me and that He had my back. Indeed, the café would become a place where I could learn, serve and see how God works in the marketplace.

The challenging reality of F&B

But even though doors had opened, the journey is far from easy. F&B is a tough business.

With no prior experience, I poured in all of my life savings — about $140,000 — to get things started. I also had to pay franchise fees and setup costs, so we were already financially stretched from the start.

I actually thought the franchise model would make things smoother. But the truth is, I had to learn everything from scratch.

At one point, I lost close to $70,000 just trying to keep the café afloat.

Not long after opening, the business didn’t take off as fast as I’d hoped. We were hit by high operating costs, manpower issues and tight margins. At one point, I lost close to $70,000 just trying to keep the café afloat.

There were months where I couldn’t draw a proper salary, and I started to question whether I had made a mistake.

I burned through everything I had — even my remaining savings were wiped out. With nothing left, this was the first time in my whole working life that my bank account hit zero.

My wife was understandably discouraged too. We have two kids. I felt like I failed them. I began to question everything.

Meeting God in the valley

But even in that valley, I thank God I wasn’t alone. My church community stood by me. I started opening up to my pastor and leaders. I began seeking counsel for the first time in my life, not trying to figure things out alone anymore.

I was confused, lost, and honestly too scared to go to God with my own selfish agenda. So I stopped praying only for breakthrough or success, I just came before God to surrender and just to know Him.

More than once, I would break down in my car. I would just sit in there after closing hours, overwhelmed, wondering if I heard God wrongly. Did You really call me into this? Did I misinterpret the signs?

But even in the midst of doubt, I always felt God was with me. Whenever I was about to give up, someone would come in to encourage me, a random customer would say something that lifted my spirit, or a worship song would play that reminded me of why I started this.

It was like God was reminding me — this café is not just a business, it’s an altar. And it was during those low moments that He started working in me again.

Surrendered spaces

I began to see the café as more than just a place that sells coffee and food. It became a place of ministry.

I’ve had divine appointments in the café where customers opened up about their own struggles and I had the chance to just listen, encourage or share my story.

I’ve had the chance to share my testimony with regulars who were curious about why I left the military to do this. I’ve prayed for people quietly in my heart while serving them.

I didn’t plan for all that. But God uses surrendered spaces, and this café is one of them.

I’ve also seen God move in powerful ways for me. There were the customers who walked in just when I needed encouragement, the unexpected catering orders that helped cover rent and the kind words from strangers who didn’t know I was struggling.

Quite a few customers also randomly booked the whole place during Christmas last year. I didn’t even market the café. I didn’t ask or push for support. But God still sent people.

There were also days when the business just wasn’t improving, but I still had peace. This was God at work. He was pruning my heart, teaching me not to idolise results.

Because God is more interested in who I’m becoming than what I’m building. He’s used this journey to strip away my pride and my need for control. God showed me that success without Him is empty, but struggle with Him is full of purpose.

There’s still so much I don’t know. I still have doubts. I still face financial stress. But I’ve seen enough to know that God is real and He is faithful.

That’s what keeps me going. Not the fear of failure, but the assurance that He’s in it with me, even if the outcome looks different from what I expected.

The verses that took me from barrenness to breakthrough

There were definitely days I doubted and felt tired. I had to juggle being a husband, a father to two young boys, a business owner and still stay rooted in my walk with God.

But the tough times were also where I experienced the most growth. I had to die to my pride daily and learn to surrender. God showed me that I didn’t need to have it all together, I just needed to abide in Him.

… success without Him is empty, but struggle with Him is full of purpose.

Two special verses that God gave me were Isaiah 40:31 and Isaiah 43:19. They really carried me through and gave me hope when everything looked like death. 

• but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
• See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19)

I knew that God told me not to give up. Not yet. Even when I wanted to shut down the café, I heard Him gently telling me to press on. So I obeyed again. I started shifting strategy. I praised and worshipped even when the café was bleeding.

And slowly, things began to change.

Someone came to join us as a part-timer, and ended up helping me restructure the entire business. Within three months, we went from seeing $10,000 losses to breaking even.

A business mentor came alongside me as well and helped pushed me through many hurdles. These were all miracles for me.

God also gave me favour with the franchisor when I requested for more freedom to run the business in my own way, especially when it came to social media and the menu.

Slowly, I started revamping everything. New menu, better SOPs, and creative marketing. It wasn’t perfect… but we were finally making progress!

What’s next… is what’s next

I used to lead air traffic control operations. I had rank, structure, results. But here, in this humble little café, I had none of that. Just faith and surrender. And God.

I had to let go of control. My old self, before Christ, would’ve tried to hustle my way through, to fix things, to force results. But now, I’ve had to learn how to surrender — which is not the same as give up. Big difference.

So, I still do my best, but I leave the results to God.

God is more interested in who I’m becoming than what I’m building.

In the past, I would’ve come up with KPIs, growth targets, business expansion ideas. But after walking this journey with God, I’ve learnt not to lean on my own understanding.

That is why I’m just staying close to Him and letting Him lead. He has shown me that He doesn’t reveal the whole picture, but leads one step at a time… so that’s all I need.

While I don’t have a five-year plan laid out, I do have dreams that I’m holding loosely to in prayer.

One of them is to make Kith Café West Coast more than just a place for good coffee and food. I want it to be a safe space for conversations, healing — even divine appointments. I’ve already seen glimpses of this. I believe God wants to see lives touched in simple, quiet ways at the café.

I also want to keep stewarding The Mustard Seed Market well. That’s something God put in my heart, a platform for other faith-based entrepreneurs, crafters, small business people just starting out and who need a place to grow.

It’s a statement of faith to say that even small beginnings can lead to something big when God is in it. I hope to do it regularly, maybe quarterly, or even grow it into a wider movement if God allows.

Practically, I’m still learning how to navigate the day-to-day stuff. The finances are tight, and sometimes I still get anxious.

But I’m learning not to run ahead of God. I’m focusing on being faithful with the now, loving my family, serving my team, being present with my customers, and keeping the café anchored in God’s peace.

I want to keep walking forward, trusting God fully. That He will raise Kingdom partners. That He will bring community. That this little café can be more than just a place for coffee but also a place for healing, for joy and for conversations that carry eternity in them.

Don’t just build a business, build an altar to God

If you’re in a season where God is asking you to step out—maybe into something new, uncertain, or uncomfortable—I just want to say: you’re not alone.

I’ve been there. It’s scary. You’ll question if you heard Him right. You’ll wonder if you have what it takes. And when things don’t go the way you expect, you’ll be tempted to give up.

But I’ve learnt that God doesn’t call us to success in the world’s terms, He calls us to faithfulness.

Obedience doesn’t always make sense at first. In fact, sometimes it looks like failure. Like losing your savings. Like not seeing breakthrough right away. Like questioning, “Did I really hear You, God?”

But it’s in those low moments where you actually experience Him the most — as Provider, as Father, as the One who sees you and still shows up.

You’ll be amazed at what God can do with a surrendered heart and mustard seed faith.

If you’re feeling the pressure to make your business thrive, I understand. But don’t let your identity be tied to your outcomes. Let it be anchored in who you are in Christ. He’s the One who opened the door, and He’s the One who will sustain you through it.

Keep showing up. Keep seeking Him. Don’t try to run ahead, just walk with Him daily. You’ll be amazed at what God can do with a surrendered heart and mustard seed faith.

And even if you feel disqualified, by your past, by your mistakes, by your lack of experience, let me remind you: God doesn’t waste anything. He can redeem and use everything, even your brokenness, for His glory.

You’re not building just a business. You’re building an altar, a space to partner God and move for His Kingdom!

Believing in radical generosity, Kith Café West Coast is hosting The Mustard Seed Market for the first time this weekend. Enjoy faith, food and community in a flea market space where believer-owned brands come together to share their craft and purpose with no booth fees and no commission taken.

• 1-2 November | 12 PM – 8 PM
• Kith Café West Coast
• Free parking — just let security know you’re here for the Café!