Lim started her teaching career at
Kampong Sungai Liang's Chung Lian School, a modest establishment with just a few dozen students. She returned to CCMS, her old mater, in 1970 and spent six years teaching mathematics and Chinese. Her desire of opening her own school was made possible by her 10 years of teaching expertise. With just 34 pupils, she established Sunshine School, a kindergarten in
Kampong Beribi,
Bandar Seri Begawan, as her first educational institution in 1985. Despite a number of obstacles, such as fierce rivalry and a lack of money, her teaching style enabled the school to expand quickly, reaching 500 pupils in just five years. However, in 1990—the year she and her family moved to Australia—unexpected events compelled Lim to sell the school. Her main reason for immigrating was to give her three children access to a more extensive
educational system, in addition to wanting to change her surroundings. Lim barely stayed in Australia for two weeks before leaving to follow her goal back in Brunei. She established her second school, the SMS School (originally PDS School), in 1992 with the help of neighborhood partners. SMS operated entirely on tuition fees, in contrast to private Chinese schools that profit from both school fees and community support, and local government schools that receive full subsidies. The school thrived in spite of these obstacles, growing from 1,000 pupils in five years to 2,000 by the time it celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2002. With the help of more than 200 employees, SMS and its sister school, SMS International School (previously PDS International School), have expanded from their initial 14 students to over 3,000 students spread across three sites. In order to shorten the typical five-year secondary course to four years, Lim brought the "express class" concept from abroad to Brunei in 2001. This program focused on academically talented pupils who could finish school more quickly, saving parents money. Since the idea was relatively new in the nation, Lim first had a difficult time getting the
Ministry of Education to approve it. But in the end, the method was authorised by the government, which was a significant development in Brunei's educational history. She also adamantly thinks that extracurricular activities boost students' self-expression, teamwork, confidence, and excitement for learning. In addition to teaching, Lim has a number of enterprises in Australia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Her businesses cover a wide range of sectors, such as the import and export of health, beauty, and educational materials through Rising Star Educational materials in Australia and Wakim Enterprise in Brunei. She has also founded educational institutions including Hillcrest Academy in Malaysia and Rising Star Children Development Centre in Brunei, as well as enterprises like Nyonya Restaurant in Brunei, Long Sheng, a property development company in Brunei, Bajoo Fashion House, a clothes store in Brunei, and a chain store in Brunei called Yushahmin Enterprise—The Life Shop. == Personal life ==