Jim grew up in Southern California, attended Orange Coast College and Redlands University. After serving in the Navy, he worked in Southern California at various electronic companies. In the mid 90's he moved to the San Francisco bay area. While working for an electronic contract manufacturing company in San Jose, Jim took a position based in Thailand That is where Jim met and fell in love with Sim.

Sim was born and raised in Phuket, Thailand. The only girl, and youngest in a family with 6 brothers, Sim went to school in Phuket and then to Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok. After graduating, she remained in Bangkok and worked there 10 years. After she met Jim, she moved to San Jose. Jim and Sim were married in Las Vegas, NV in May of 1997.

They are very compatible. Jim loves bleu cheese, Sim hates it. Sim likes shrimp paste, Jim dislikes it. They both enjoy travel and healthy food.

Jim and Sim lived in Sunnyvale, CA for 10 years. Sim went to San Jose State University where she graduated with a B.S. in Hospitality Management. Jim continued to work in the electronics industry.

In March of 2005 Jim had a massive heart attack while at work. 3 months of recovery and Jim was back at work, but already planning an exit strategy. In June of 2006, Sim quit her job as H.R. Manager at the Biltmore Hotel and Suites, and in July of 2006, Jim quit his job as Quality Manager at Sanmina-SCI.