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Former account executive Poomjai Lohaprom's career has taken somewhat of a twist.

After Poomjai completed a business-administration degree at Ramkhamhaeng University she worked as an account executive at Nation Multimedia Group.

Two years down the road her imagination and talent in art convinced her to quit and start her own business - Balloon Art ... the country's first balloon-design company.

"A simple balloon can be a very special balloon if you put your mind to it. For balloon artists changing a balloon into an octopus or a tiger is something quite challenging," says Poomjai, managing director of Balloon Art.

Fifteen years ago Poomjai was pretty bored with your run-of-the-mill balloon. She started searching information about balloons and what you can do with them.

Then, it was off to the United States for two weeks to learn more, then back home to start Balloon Art.

It offers services such as balloon delivery, party organisation, balloon decoration and, of course, courses in balloon art.

Her business has ballooned ... there are four Balloon Art boutiques in Bangkok.

"Unlimited imagination is the charm of balloon art. Don't fear the sound of a burst balloon. Be patient and let your imagination take over.

"A balloon artist is a dream maker. You can make a balloon into anything you wish," she says.

At the Thonglor Soi 3 Balloon Art boutique - the very first - there are many ... well, balloons. There are tiger balloons, cartoon balloons and the latest craze; a walking balloon.

Visitors feel like they are walking into an imaginary world.

"Customer attention is the key. You have to know what a customer wants and make balloons to meet their ideas or even exceed them. Customer satisfaction is most important," Poomjai says.

Poomjai showed Smartlife around the boutique and even showed it how to make a simple balloon flower.

"Just pick a balloon ... be brave enough to twist it to create a figure from your imagination. Maybe your life is twisted like mine," she says.

Balloon Art offers free balloon twisting courses for anyone who feels like it.

Why not checkout balloonartthai.com.

 

By Mongkol Sermdang

Special to The Nation