BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  Open For Business  >  The 'Crazy' Story of How 2 Flight Attendants Built a Circus

The 'Crazy' Story of How 2 Flight Attendants Built a Circus

Marco Baumgartner, Co-founder, Swiss Dream Circus | Ismail Stork, Co-founder, Swiss Dream Circus

20-Aug-25 10:00

The 'Crazy' Story of How 2 Flight Attendants Built a Circus

What started as a chance meeting between two flight attendants has grown into an 11-year journey of producing circus shows in Malaysia. This is the story of the Swiss Dream Circus, a bootstrapped, passion-driven venture in the high-stakes world of live entertainment.

Co-founders Marco Baumgartner and Ismail Stork join us to pull back the curtain on the "circus behind the circus". They discuss their mission to create high-quality family entertainment, the immense logistical and financial challenges of producing a million-ringgit annual show, and their vision to establish the circus as a beloved Malaysian institution.

We discuss:

  • The journey from flight attendants to circus co-founders.

  • The "circus behind the circus": the real costs and operational hurdles.

  • Why a live circus experience remains relevant in a digital age.

  • Their business model and the challenge of balancing passion and profit.

  • Their long-term vision for Swiss Dream Circus in Malaysia.

    For entrepreneurs in the events and entertainment space, this is a look at the challenging but rewarding world of turning a passion into a business.

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  entrepreneursperforming artsCorporates

Tags:  events managementlive entertainmententrepreneurshipperforming arts





Play / Pause

Listen now : BFM 89.9 -- The Business Station

Today’s Shows



11:00 AM

Best of Enterprise

(REPEAT) Dr. Paul Watters, CEO of Cyberstronomy and Honorary Professor at Macquarie University, Sydney talks about the impact of illegal streaming websites on cybersecurity.

12:00 PM

Popcorn Culture

(REPEAT) We review One Battle After Another, Leonardo DiCaprio’s first collaboration with acclaimed director, Paul Thomas Anderson - and discuss your favourite of Leo's performances.

1:00 PM

Cruise Control

(REPEAT) How does the Zeekr 009 Executive fair against its competitors? Daniel shares his thoughts.

2:00 PM

Matt-Splained

(REPEAT) As workplace horror sweeps the Emmy’s, Rich and Matt wonder if it’s time to fortify that cubicle or resist return to work mandates with your life.

3:00 PM

Earth Matters

(REPEAT) Tourism shapes not just where we travel, but also our economy, communities, and natural heritage. We speak with the co-founders of Sustainable Tourism Malaysia about their journey, lessons after three years, and hopes for the future of tourism here at home.

4:00 PM

Bar None

(REPEAT) We look at the world of skateboarding from a competitive angle and how much it has grown here in the country.

5:00 PM

BBC World Service

The Life Scientific speaks to Jacqueline McKinley, a Principal Osteoarchaeologist with Wessex Archaeology.