MAJID Hj Ali was once a regular at Pasar Malam.
But unlike other Pasar regulars, he wasn’t there to buy roti johns and other tidbits on offer. He was there with other hawkers to sell a product. In his case, it was magic he hawked.
Meet Majic, Brunei’s very own David Blaine.
“I really love to do magic shows and always wanted to make it as my career,” he said.
Indeed, that’s exactly what Majic did. For years, he performed at places like Pasar Malam, expos, exhibitions, and hotels, among others.
He said that he just got back from Indonesia for an all-paid expense trip to attend a master competition.
Majid Hj Ali, aka Majic, performs a trick for his audience. Picture: BT/Bahrum Ali
“I also participated in Brunei’s ‘Who’s Got Talent’ recently although I did not make it to the finals,” he said, adding he planned on joining again next year.
Now, Majic is trying a different trick entrepreneurship.
He just opened a shop at Batu Bersurat called Team Explore Magic.
Majic told The Brunei Times he decided to open up a shop finally after saving enough to start the business.
“It has been my dream to set up a magic shop since I was in Pasar Malam. I slowly saved up for the budget and now I have achieved my dream,” he said.
Majic said a relative is helping him run the magic shop.
“I believe in business and I really want to explore it now based on my real talent,” he said.
He said it was this drive to have his own business that inspired him to save his earnings as a magician and the wages from his private sector job.
Majic said paying the shop rental and the wage for his worker are among his biggest concerns at present. But he is confident that the business will grow eventually.
“There are only three magic stores in the country now and I believe that every one of us is grabbing each piece of the pie with our own style,” he said.
He added that his shop is not solely dependent on walk-in customers, but also revenues from his tuition class for aspiring magicians in which he has 20 students. He said he charges students $100 a month.
Majic also performs on stage, birthday parties, weddings and other special occasions for extra income. He said a number of companies, like Brunei Shell Petroleum, The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Safari Bistro, Elken, among others, have invited him to do shows.
“I am serious and enjoy what I am doing now. I will work hard for it,” he said.
“It is now about improving the shop and letting the people know about our existence.”
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