Step into the world of Monirath “Jessie” Khim, the visionary entrepreneur behind an array of diverse ventures, from five-star hotels to fine dining, changing the face of Cambodian luxury hospitality.
Monirath Khim, fondly referred to as Jessie, is a young and visionary entrepreneur who is on the journey to revolutionise Cambodia’s hospitality industry. Her inspiring journey began in the small town of Siem Reap, where her mother, Mrs Naline Kuoy, initiated a hospitality venture in 1997. Jessie’s mother’s kindness and generosity laid the foundation for the success of Borei Angkor Resort & Spa, a renowned five-star establishment.
Jessie’s formative years spent in the hotel, mingling with guests from around the globe, instilled in her a deep appreciation for diversity and cultural sensitivity. She further honed her business acumen through her education and professional experience, culminating in a position at the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong.
Upon returning to Cambodia, Jessie was driven by a sense of duty to contribute to her society. She envisioned elevating Cambodian hospitality standards to a global level, challenging the status quo with her innovative concepts and unwavering commitment to excellence. One of Jessie’s most notable achievements was the launch of Ox Club, a fine dining restaurant that introduced the concept of “unreasonable hospitality” to Cambodia. She envisioned a dining experience where every detail was meticulously curated, from the impeccable service to the exquisite culinary presentation. To achieve this, Jessie brought the butler-style service to Ox Club, a tradition associated with royalty and prestige. She even sent one of her most trusted employees to the world’s only Royal Academy of Butlers in Amsterdam for training.
Jessie’s passion for food and her dedication to elevating her team’s skills have made Ox Club one of the few places to offer genuine butler service in Cambodia. This bold move has turned heads and redefined the expectations of fine dining in the country. Jessie’s success is a testament to her unwavering determination, her innovative spirit, and her deep commitment to her team. She is an inspiration to young entrepreneurs everywhere, demonstrating that anything is possible with passion, hard work, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. Jessie’s story is a reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a ripple effect, leading to extraordinary outcomes. Her success is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and a commitment to making a difference.
Jessie, a dedicated student, has always had a genuine passion for learning. During her leisure hours, she immerses herself in audiobooks, delving into topics ranging from the origin stories of fast food to the depths of marketing journals. Her exposure to diverse cultures and experiences has been the driving force behind her eclectic portfolio of businesses. From managing illustrious five-star establishments like the Borei Angkor Resort & Spa and Lotus Blanc, to establishing a fast-food empire, bakeries, and fine dining establishments, Jessie’s entrepreneurial spirit knows no bounds.
Jessie leads her life with precision, akin to a well-oiled machine. “My morning is a spiritual ritual. Since the rest of my day is packed and revolves around many people, I like to reconnect with my inner self.” She practises nurturing mind, body, and soul. She gets ready while listening to audiobooks. Setting her mind right is crucial. Jeesie believes in continual learning. Audible substitutes morning reading. After tending to her dog, it’s off to work. En route, she always calls her mum, valuing daily catch-ups.
She takes time to celebrate life. Her birthday is reserved for family, team, husband, and friends. This year, she celebrated her birthday at Borei Angkor Resort & Spa and Ox Club. Birthday is a time of reflection and gratitude for Jessie. Jessie’s guiding principles in life are curiosity, humility, valuing family, maintaining positivity, and above all, consistency. “I can’t stress it enough, for me, consistency outweighs everything,” Jessie emphasised. Being consistent in love, kindness, and humility leads to a positive impact in every aspect of life.
“Anything is possible with passion, hardwork and a willingness to challenge the status quo.”
The genesis of Jessie’s journey towards becoming a hospitality industry titan can be traced back to her mother, who was prompted to change careers after a tragic car accident that claimed the life of Jessie’s sister. Stricken by grief over the loss of her daughter, Jessie’s mother made the decision to pass on her pharmacy to her sister, becoming a full-time homemaker to tend to her son’s injuries.
During this tumultuous period, many UNTAC soldiers passed by their family home in Siem Reap in search of lodgings. “We had a villa, a modest abode for our family, filled with various essentials. My mum, a maternal figure who had just lost a daughter, was incredibly kind to anyone who passed by. She would allow them to stay. Upon departure, they’d offer her money. She would initially refuse, believing she was simply doing a good deed.”
Insistent, they’d say, ‘Ma’am, this is akin to a hotel—we stay, we pay for a homestay.’ It dawned on her that she was reaping substantial earnings from these guest stays. As word got out, more visitors flocked in. When Jessie was born, her father returned home to a revelation—his wife had
been hosting UNTAC soldiers. Though surprised initially, he swiftly discerned the business opportunity.
“It didn’t start as a hotel, more like a hostel,” Jessie recalled. “A small motel, with just eight bedrooms and two staff members. One was our driver, the other my brother.” One day, a man who had worked at Raffles Le Royal Hotel passed by and suggested a name for the small establishment. Hence, Borei Angkor was christened.
Jessie’s gradually learned the ropes of running a hotel. She recounted an incident at their family dining table. “We didn’t realise the guests needed breakfast. We didn’t know they wanted a swimming pool until we saw them swimming in my dad’s fish pond with all the fish!”
By 2000, Siem Reap was abuzz with backpackers and adventurers drawn to the enigmatic allure of Angkor Wat. The town witnessed an influx of tourists. They expanded once again, constructing a building adjacent to their initial establishment. “The first building had eight bedrooms, the second had 40 bedrooms, and the third had an additional 60 rooms—a total of 188 rooms. As time went on, we learned more. We realised guests needed various amenities.”
This led to further expansions, including meeting rooms and different room categories. With the hiring of a general manager, progress accelerated. The humble abode that once served hungry soldiers had transformed into a conglomerate, boasting a five-star rating. In a short span, she acquired a neighbouring building, expanding the business to become the now-renowned Borei Angkor Resort & Spa.
Her mother has always shown kindness. “As a pharmacist, you have one thing at heart, and that is genuine care for the people,” Jessie remarked. This sincere concern for guests is a cornerstone of Jessie’s philosophy, encapsulated in the Sanskrit term “Muditā”—finding happiness in the joy of others.
At the age of 12, Jessie embarked on a transformative journey, moving to the United Kingdom to attend the esteemed all-girls’ boarding school, Princess Helena College. Her father’s wisdom resonated with her—to make the most of what she had, for everyone’s path is unique. Embracing diversity, Jessie learned to cherish the myriad experiences that shaped her, understanding how interactions with others can elevate one’s character and foster personal growth.
Her academic pursuits took her to Manchester University, where she pursued a degree in business management, specialising in marketing. Subsequently, she obtained a master’s degree in international hotel management in Switzerland. Her professional journey include roles in marketing and communications at One Farrer Hotel in Singapore, culminating in a triumph over 3,000 candidates for a position at the Four Seasons Hotel in
Hong Kong.
This global odyssey exposed Jessie to diverse cultures and highlighted the importance of tailoring business offerings to meet unique customer needs. It was a profoundly transformative experience, broadening her perspectives in unforeseen ways.
“My guiding philosophy is Muditā— finding happiness in the joy of others.”
Following her studies abroad, Jessie faced uncertainty about returning to Cambodia. “I felt like I was now in a realm of boundless opportunities,” Jessie reflects. “The work ethic, the people, the environment—everything was distinct. Yet, upon returning home during holidays, I realised that if everyone continued moving away with their acquired knowledge, our country would suffer a ‘brain drain’.” Driven by a sense of duty, she resolved to return and contribute to her society. Her mother’s poignant question guided her decision-making: “Would you rather be a small fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond?”
A pivotal moment arrived when Jessie attended a summer program at Cornell University in New York. “That experience was truly life-changing,” she recalls. “Back in university, I was a bit of a nerd. I always idolised the professors who authored those beautiful journals.” Jessie not only collected the writings of these esteemed academics but also found herself in the company of people like the Senior Vice President of Expedia Global and the President of the Marriott Group. Proximity to these industry leaders, coupled with insights into their business acumen, ignited Jessie’s aspiration to forge her own empire.
Jessie’s guiding principle in her business management philosophy is a commitment to “unreasonable hospitality.” In today’s fast-paced world, she believes that merely offering a reasonable product or service won’t suffice. If an offering is deemed reasonable and makes perfect sense to everyone, it may not stand out or meet the cut. Jessie is a proponent of consistently striving for the extraordinary.
She poses a question: “Why can’t Cambodian service be elevated to a higher standard?” Despite encountering sceptics who argued against raising service standards in Cambodia, Jessie remained steadfast in her belief. She challenged the status quo, asking, “Why can’t our cuisine be presented beautifully? Why can’t food be regarded as an art form?”
Drawing inspiration from her travels, Jessie observed that at weddings overseas, food is thoughtfully chosen and prepared, akin to a form of art. She aimed to bring this concept back to Cambodia, where, traditionally, lavish attention was given to decor while culinary offerings often fell short.
“I can’t stress enough, for me, consistency outweighs everything.”
Jessie’s love for food also played a significant role in her business journey. Despite not being a professional chef, her culinary passion was honed during her Swiss kitchen training. She worked closely with her chef, sending him to train at a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Singapore and travelling with him to experience fine dining worldwide.
This culinary exploration led to the creation of a new brand, Agong, which offers Cantonese-style bakery items inspired by her grandmother’s stories. She fell in love with the vibrant neighbourhood bakeries in Hong Kong, where freshly baked bread and delightful small dishes were served daily. Seeing an untapped market in Cambodia, she decided to introduce these delectable offerings to her homeland.
Furthermore, Jessie’s entrepreneurial spirit continued to thrive as she expanded her culinary ventures. She unveiled plans for an Indian restaurant in Siem Reap and a Chinese restaurant in Phnom Penh, both set to open in November. Additionally, she teased an exciting project in partnership with a Michelin-starred chef, slated to be a Cambodian fine dining restaurant, promising more culinary innovations in the future.
As a leader in food and hospitality, branding stands as the foremost pillar in Jessie’s business philosophy. When she embarked on her journey in Cambodia, branding wasn’t a common topic of discussion. However, she appreciates the growing recognition of its importance. Jessie believes that branding transcends mere marketing; it encompasses every facet of a business, from products and services to team treatment and social media messaging.
“I adore the concept of ‘unreasonable hospitality’. In today’s fast-paced world, merely offering just a reasonable product or service may not cut it. Striving for the extraordinary is the key to success.”
For each of her brands such as Twizt Hostel, Borei Angkor Resort & Spa, SISO Bakery, and Oxclub—Jessie has meticulously crafted a distinctive and robust branding identity. Twist, characterised by vibrant yellow and crisp black tones, embodies a lively and dynamic brand voice. Each brand has a hero product or service carefully tailored to its unique identity.
Borei Angkor exemplifies Khmer excellence, offering clients a taste of privileged luxury with the Khmer Royal Service. The hotel’s design, culinary offerings, staff uniforms, and room decor all reflect Cambodian cultural elements.
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Ox Club, as a fine dining establishment, pays meticulous attention to detail. From staff grooming to uniform design, every aspect is refined to provide an unparalleled experience. The brand’s imagery on social media is thoughtfully curated and selected to maintain consistency.
Quality is the second pillar in Jessie’s business ethos. She emphasises that quality is paramount in everything she undertakes, be it the food served in her eateries, the design of her rooms, or the service across her businesses. Jessie believes that regardless of grandiose claims, quality is the true measure of a product or service.
This principle is exemplified in her fast-food venture, Pong, which she established with a commitment to never serve frozen fast food. She noticed a market gap for fresh, affordable fast food and meticulously developed over 100 recipes, including the signature “sandger” (sandwich burger) with her team. Through perseverance, she engineered the perfect type of bread that toasts evenly without becoming greasy. Pong now boasts 14 stores and maintains its commitment to fresh ingredients and top-quality meat.
For Jessie, the third pillar is providing an exceptional experience. This extends beyond the tangible aspects of quality and encompasses the intangible elements that engage the five senses. At her properties, she aims to create a multi-sensory experience, ensuring that guests see, smell, taste, hear, and, most importantly, feel the environment. The Ox Club follows 12 credos, including anticipating and addressing both expressed and unexpressed guest needs, thereby creating a memorable, lasting experience.
The fourth pillar is innovation, which forms the foundation of her umbrella company, Innotality. An example of innovation is the creation of Twizt Hostel in Siem Reap, which addressed the scarcity of high-quality hostels worldwide. The Ox Club also emerged from a rebranding effort, transforming a steakhouse to a full-fledged fine dining restaurant, with a chic and Instagram-worthy ambience inspired by Jessie’s travels.
Ubiex, an incubator centre under Innotality’s umbrella, nurtures young talent with promising ideas. Jessie extends comprehensive support in critical business infrastructure domains such as marketing, office management, human resources, accounting, financing, legal matters, and more. This environment enables these ventures to thrive, embodying Jessie’s commitment to nurturing innovation and talent.
Jessie’s approach also underscores the significance of investing in and empowering her team. She places great emphasis on fostering a positive and supportive work culture, recognizing that a strong leader is one who builds an equally strong team. Jessie values attitude and commitment in team members, acknowledging these qualities as fundamental and not easily trainable.
Recognizing the dynamic nature of the market, Jessie aspires to bring the pinnacle of fine craftsmanship to Cambodia. To achieve this, she collaborates with Chef Emmanuel Stroobant, a distinguished Michelin star chef in Singapore with two highly acclaimed restaurants. Through such partnerships, Jessie believes that Cambodia can elevate its culinary standards and presence
on the global stage.
One of Jessie’s overarching goals is to showcase Cambodian brands internationally. She envisions Cambodian hotels, akin to Borei Angkor, representing Cambodia on a global scale. While international hotel chains like Rosewood, Hyatt, Raffles Le Royal, and Sofitel are present in Cambodia, Jessie envisions a homegrown brand with international appeal, reflecting Cambodia’s unique identity. She believes that Cambodia can contribute its own distinct voice to the global hospitality industry.
In her pursuit of this vision, Jessie has engaged with various overseas partners and operators to explore avenues for elevating Cambodian hospitality to international standards. Through strategic collaborations and a deep commitment to quality and innovation, Jessie aims to position Cambodia as a leading player in the global hospitality landscape.
To subscribe and become a part of Jessie’s revolution in Cambodian luxury, contact info@prestigekh.com now.
Photography: Vuth Sovin Chem
Producer: Daniel Hu
Art Direction: Shasne Suleimanova
Stylist: Dalynich Hor
Make-up Artist: The Brandy
Hairstylist: Rayon Be
Photography Assistant: Longdy Ong (TED)
Editorial Coordinator: Sokarhena Va
Videographer: Andrew Ng Vany
Production: Rath Khun and Panha Sycheat
Location: Ox Club Restaurant Siem Reap
