Ex-flight attendant turns balloon art into business
KUALA LUMPUR - In just two minutes, Syed Shahrizal Syed Othman, 44, better known as Abang Belon Cakewhat, can transform ordinary balloons into a strikingly lifelike hibiscus flower.
Former AirAsia X chief flight attendant Syed Shahrizal Syed Othman, from Ipoh, Perak, skilfully transforms round and elongated balloons into delicate petals and stamens-crafted entirely from balloons. Syed Shahrizal Syed Othman - Bernama photo
"It looks easy, doesn't it? But it's not. It took me nearly six months to master it,' he told Bernama during a recent interview at his office in Cheras.
Having spent 17 years in the aviation industry, Syed Shahrizal said his travels around the world opened his eyes to the creative potential of balloon art.
"In countries like Venezuela, balloon art is incredibly imaginative. I was fascinated by it and felt inspired to bring the idea back home-where such art is still relatively uncommon,' he said.
"I learned the 'distortion flower' technique online and drew heavily from international designs before adapting them to reflect my own style and local sensibilities,' he said.
His remarkably lifelike flower creations began gaining traction among local and international balloon art communities after he showcased them in live streams on his TikTok account, @abangbeloncakewhat, which now boasts over 70,000 followers.
Apart from hibiscus, Syed Shahrizal also creates a wide range of designs such as daisies, sunflowers, roses, tulips, handbags, and balloon tunnels for birthdays, weddings, and corporate events-making these creations his signature in the world of balloon art.
"The challenge, however, lies in the short lifespan of balloons… sometimes they deflate within a day or two. That's why I developed Absolute Balloon Care, a protective formula that extends balloon life up to 14 days,' he explained.
Having dabbled in balloon art for over a decade, Syed Shahrizal became active during the pandemic when the aviation industry was crippled. What began as a hobby eventually shifted the direction of his life.
"During the Covid-19 lockdowns, everyone was confined at home and many customers started requesting surprise deliveries. That's when the business really took off, and I began to see its true potential,' said the former part-time cake entrepreneur.
In addition to fulfilling orders, Syed Shahrizal actively offers in-person balloon art classes in collaboration with both government and private agencies, including the Community Development Department (Kemas), with fees starting at RM290.
"The classes are divided into three levels-covering both theory and practice. We teach from scratch, starting with balloon types, basic tools, flower-forming techniques… all the way until participants can create their own decorations,' he said, adding that he also conducts classes in Jakarta, Indonesia.
He hopes to see local talent in balloon art gain international recognition, especially given the encouraging response from his overseas followers on social media.
To support this growth, he urges the government to invest in the industry's development-through the establishment of a dedicated association and the introduction of vocational training focused on balloon art.
"Balloon decoration has become a staple at many events. It requires minimal startup capital but offers high returns. It would be a missed opportunity not to explore its full potential,' he said, suggesting that Malaysia look to regional models like Singapore's Balloon Expo for inspiration.
Recognising the industry's potential, Syed Shahrizal also hopes to launch his own local balloon product brand, Frolatex, within the next five years. - BERNAMA
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