BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  Open For Business  >  Strangers at 47: Turning Crepes into RM3.5M a Year

Strangers at 47: Turning Crepes into RM3.5M a Year

Lim Sing Yi, Co-Founder, Strangers at 47 | Sean Ooi, Co-Founder, Strangers at 47

28-Jul-25 10:00

Strangers at 47: Turning Crepes into RM3.5M a Year

For 11 years, Strangers at 47 has been a beloved neighbourhood cafe, famous for its savory crepes. But behind the cozy vibes is a story of resilience, adaptation, and the relentless hustle of surviving in the tough F&B industry.

Co-founders Lim Sing Yi and Sean Ooi join us to share their journey from "fearless" young graduates to seasoned F&B veterans. They discuss the financial realities of running a cafe with thin margins, their strategy to boost profitability by expanding into catering and e-commerce, and their ambitious plans to launch a new flagship store.

We discuss:

  • The 11-year journey of building a beloved neighbourhood cafe.

  • The financial realities of running an F&B business on 6-8% net margins.

  • Their strategy to boost profitability by expanding into catering and e-commerce.

  • The biggest ongoing challenge in F&B: hiring and retaining talent.

  • Their future plans, including the launch of a new flagship store.

For aspiring and current F&B entrepreneurs, this is an honest and insightful look at what it truly takes to build a sustainable and beloved brand from the ground up.

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan, Kishan Sivaswamy

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  foodentrepreneursSMEeconomymanaging

Tags:  F&B Businessentrepreneurshipsme malaysiarestaurant managementhospitality





Play / Pause

Listen now : Discovery Hour:

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Tim Mulholland, President, TJM Limited, Chicago tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Sam Fazeli, Bloomberg Intelligence discusses the impact of US policy on the pharmaceutical industry.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dr. Ismet Yusoff, Chief Executive Officer, Minority Shareholders Watch Group (MSWG) discusses the fiduciary duties of company directors.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Dato’ Sri Azmar Talib, CEO of TRX City discusses plans for the 10th tower at Tun Razak Exchange and how it reinforces Malaysia’s status as a financial hub.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid, Criminologist and Deputy Dean, Faculty of Law, Universiti Malaya discusses Malaysia's anti-trafficking efforts and its progress.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Raymon Ram, President of Transparency International Malaysia on MACC's performance and challenges.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Tim Mulholland, President, TJM Limited, Chicago tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Sam Fazeli, Bloomberg Intelligence discusses the impact of US policy on the pharmaceutical industry.

9:35 AM

What's The Focus

We wrap up the week’s biggest conversations to keep you in the know.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Miranda Yeoh, Co-Founder, Paolo Paolo Gelato

11:00 AM

Mattsplained

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Halim Hong & Quek's legal experts break down the SC's new Social Exchange guidelines, a regulated platform for funding social impact projects in Malaysia.

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Dato' Sri Azmar Talib, Chief Executive Officer, TRX City Sdn Bhd

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

3:05 PM

Front Row

3:20 PM

Front Row

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Doctor in the House: Public hospitals are packed and private healthcare is increasingly expensive. Will Budget 2026 bring relief and will private hospitals play their role?

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Popcorn Culture

7:00 PM

Just For Kicks

8:00 PM

Bar None

9:00 PM

The Selector