TIOK TIOK BBQ

JUSTIN AND SHERVIN were your average young Malaysian couple who had just welcomed their baby in December 2019 but when the deadly virus began to sweep nations all across the globe, they didn’t know it would change their lives forever. Before the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia was announced, she was full-time marketing manager while her husband was a real estate negotiator doubling up as a contractor. What was meant to be a two-week partial lockdown turned into several months, and with no income to support the family̶they had to recalibrate their lives and look for a solution that sustain their family throughout the MCO period. Opting to rent a terrace house in order to start a char siew (Chinese barbecued

pork) business called Tiok Tiok BBQ, Justin continued his father’s legacy where he spent most of his time after high school.

We spoke with Shervin and Justin to find out more about Tiok Tiok BBQ

What inspired you and your husband to sta Tiok Tiok?

Tiok Tiok was started just after the first

MCO when our personal business and jobs were affected by the pandemic. My husband was inspired to operate a food business from home when he saw how people were purchasing food online due to the decrease in outdoor activities, though he had absolutely no idea what to sell at that time and with the extension of the partial lockdown, Justin thought it would be a great idea to sell a variety of pork ranging from barbecued pork to roast pork since he used to help out at his family’s restaurant some time ago.

A er losing all the years of hard work you’ve both put into your previous jobs, how did losing it hit you?

Personally, I think it was never a loss since we have gained so much experience and knowledge from our previous jobs. We felt that putting what we’ve learned into our own business now helps us grow even faster. The only difference we feel is that we simply cannot be as comfortable as before. With everyone being hit, it was only time we adapted to it. A job is only part of our lives and as much as we give it our all, we must always be prepared to move on.

How did you pick yourself up a er that?

We quickly accepted the fact that many were affected like us and if we do not recalibrate our lives now, then when? We knew that our country’s economy was deeply affected so deep down, we knew change was unavoidable. We were living in an apartment which wasn’t as conductive as a landed property when it comes to opening a homemade business hence we quickly decided to rent a place immediately after the first MCO.

Are there any struggles in sta ing a new career path at such an age? If so, what are they?

There were definitely struggles. Starting a business requires capital no matter how small it is. With no brand recognition and experience, we risk losing everything we invest in. We are a young family which requires us to be financially stable. and putting in so much time and effort into a new business with no safety net was definitely scary. We struggled with the uncertainties ahead of us and at that time, we weren’t sure if starting Tiok Tiok was the right decision or a total waste of resources and time.

What advice do you have for our fellow Malaysians who are seemingly going through the same struggles you have amidst the pandemic?

I would advise them to immediately take action if change is unavoidable. You may re-skill or upskill and to be versatile in such an environment is definitely a need. Learning never stops no matter what industry you’re in. It is crucial for you to put your emotions aside and know that you’re not alone. When help is needed, reach out to the people who are ready to lend a hand be it family members, friends or even the general public. It is important to work smart but during times like these, working hard triumphs over that.

“I THINK IT WAS NEVER A LOSS SINCE WE HAVE GAINED SO MUCH EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE FROM OUR PREVIOUS JOBS. WE FELT THAT PUTTING WHAT WE’VE LEARNED INTO OUR OWN BUSINESS NOW HELPS US GROW EVEN FASTER”