But as you watch him gently twist and shape balloons into intricate creations, you’ll find yourself amazed at how someone as strong as him can delicately handle balloons, and with such finesse.
Kimi transforms ordinary balloons into extraordinary works of art – making daisies, roses, tulips, sunflowers, hibiscus and more.
And given how stunning his creations are, it’s no wonder he has amassed over 106,000 followers on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Popularly known as “Abang Belon Cakewhat”, Kimi runs a business of the same name that offers balloon decoration services, surprise balloon deliveries and balloon art classes.
“Some people think that balloons are childish. But when you look at this – does it look childish to you? It doesn’t, right?” said Kimi, gesturing towards a beautiful balloon garland at his office.
Indeed, his balloon decorations add an elegant touch to any event – from corporate functions to birthday celebrations – so it’s no surprise that his clients include celebrities Siti Nurhaliza and Bella Astillah.
It is surprising, however, to learn that before becoming a full-time balloon artist, Kimi spent 17 years as a flight attendant. So, how did he go from soaring the skies to tying knots for a living (with balloons, that is)?
It was the pandemic that changed everything. With flights grounded when travel restrictions were imposed, Kimi threw himself into a part-time business he started earlier selling cakes. He later added balloons to the mix, which inspired the name “Abang Belon Cakewhat”.
His business, he shared, took off during the pandemic. “Because of the lockdowns, people wanted to send gifts to family members in other states whom they couldn’t meet, so we were really busy,” recalled the 44-year-old.
He added that he even hired eight of his airline colleagues to help keep up with demand. After travel restrictions were lifted, Kimi returned to his job as a flight attendant – but by then, his outlook had changed.
“I always thought I’d stay in the aviation industry until I retired. But the pandemic made me realise – what if it happened again? Or what if something happened to me?” he recalled.
So, he left his airline job two years ago – and hasn’t looked back since.
Kimi knew his balloon creations had to stand out and he found inspiration in the intricate designs he’d seen during a trip to Venezuela.
So, he enrolled in classes and mastered the technique within six months. Today, he’s developed his own style – and it’s clear his business is blooming.
“Running a business is not easy. It may seem that way, but there were a lot of hiccups along the way. Still, I took it as a challenge,” he said.
And Kimi has certainly risen to those challenges. For instance, since balloons do not have a long lifespan, he introduced a double stuffing rod – a tool that makes it easier to insert one balloon into another. This technique helps his creations last longer and makes their colours more striking.
He also developed a liquid called “Absolute Balloon Care”, which can extend a balloon’s lifespan to as long as 14 days. Next, he plans to introduce balloons and launch his own brand, “Floraltex”.
These days, Kimi has stopped selling cakes, focusing entirely on balloons instead. He also conducts classes to share his knowledge about balloon art with others.
While these sessions are currently held in person, he plans to start virtual classes in the future, after receiving inquiries from the US, Canada and the Philippines.
Indeed, Kimi may have traded the skies for balloons, but his career is still soaring – just with a lot less turbulence!
Now, instead of handing out peanuts at 9,000 metres in the air, he’s putting smiles on people’s faces on the ground, one balloon at a time.
Learn more about Abang Belon Cakewhat on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. For more information, contact 012-260 7446.