Cherng marked her 21st birthday by hosting a floral exhibition to promote mental health awareness.
While others her age might commemorate their birthdays partying with friends or celebrating with family, Chloe Cherng marked turning 21 on April 23 by hosting a floral exhibition to promote mental health.
The exhibition, themed Bloom and Heal, was held from April 14 to 20 at Fahrenheit 88 in bustling Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
The exhibition combined her passion for flowers with her mission to raise awareness about mental health.
It wasn’t just a typical flower showcase. It was a deeply personal project that combined Cherng’s passion for flowers with her mission to raise awareness about youth mental health.
“Turning 21 isn’t just about age – it’s about purpose,” she explains. “I wanted my birthday to stand for something bigger than just a day to celebrate getting a year older.”
Cherng’s journey into the floral industry began when she was just 15. During a family trip to Taiwan, she decided to enrol in a floral design course.
Intrigued and inspired, she continued signing up for more floral design workshops in Kuala Lumpur and subsequently started her own online business, Floristy15, from the confines of her bedroom.
What began as a small Instagram-based venture quickly grew into a full-fledged business, including a floral academy to teach floral design and the Association of Malaysia Floral Design (AMFD), a non-profit organisation offering floral design training and certification, as well as job opportunities for marginalised communities.
Cherng’s path to success was not without challenges. As a teenager navigating the business world, she faced intense online harassment.
“When I started my online business, I received a lot of hate messages and nasty comments, especially from competitors. It came to a point where people were creating fake social media accounts just to attack me,” she recalls.
Messages on post-in notes from visitors to help break the stigma on mental health.“At that time, I was a minor, just a teenager. I asked my Mum for advice, and she wisely told me not to engage and not to let them drain my time and energy. She reminded me to focus on what matters.”
But as the years passed, the cyberbullying continued.
“I thought it would stop, but it didn’t,” she says. “So as I approached adulthood, I decided it was time to speak up – not just for myself, but for other young people who have faced similar struggles.”
Her exhibition is a testament to this resolve. It featured stunning floral installations alongside a story wall – a deeply personal space where both Cherng and others share their personal experiences, struggles and mental toll arising from cyberbullying and other trauma.
“There are women and girls who went through difficult life experiences, resulting in anxiety, depression and even suicidal thoughts. For example, one woman went through depression after her partner cheated on her, others struggled with self-esteem because they were bullied in school for being different or because of their looks,” she shares.
This bold initiative earned Cherng a spot in the Malaysia Book of Records as the creator of the first mental health-themed floral exhibition in the country.
The recognition was a proud moment, but for her, the real reward was creating a space where people felt seen, heard and valued.
Cherng, who was raised by her mother after her father passed away from cancer, reveals that the exhibition was fully self-funded.
“While we didn’t earn any funds from this exhibition, we did have generous sponsors for the venue and lucky draw prizes.”
“Initially, my Mum – who is a businesswoman and who taught me to be independent – was shocked and asked if I was sure since I wouldn’t be earning anything from the event. But it’s not about the money; I saw it as my way of giving back to the community.”
Cherng started her online flower business at 15.
The marketing graduate reveals that her commitment to making a difference extends beyond her exhibition, and this wasn’t the first time she celebrated her birthday by doing something impactful.
When she was 19, she marked another birthday by publishing her first book, The Courage To Begin, a candid account of her entrepreneurial journey.
“I wanted to share about my startup journey – what I’ve gone through, learnt and any advice I can give such as how to balance studies and work/business – to encourage others, especially young entrepreneurs, to stay the course despite the challenges. Also to never forsake your education and make sure you complete it,” she says.
“While it’s difficult, you have to define your life priorities,” she says. “Like many girls my age, I like to party but I admit I don’t have much time for it,” she adds. “I always remind myself, there’s a time for everything; everyone has the same 24 hours and you can do a lot within this time, but you have to make sure you manage your schedule well to be productive.”
The exhibition is self-funded but she had generous sponsors for the venue and lucky draw prizes.
Today, while juggling her business of handling orders for flowers with her partner and other staff; teaching at the academy and running the association, Cherng is pursuing a Master’s degree in Psychology, aiming to become a counsellor – a fitting path for someone so committed to supporting others through their struggles.
Reflecting on her journey, Cherng emphasises the importance of resilience and self-belief.
“Bullies, whether online or offline – want you to doubt yourself, to feel unworthy,” she notes. “But those who are truly successful don’t waste their time attacking others – they’d be focused on their growth.”
Her advice to others facing similar challenges is clear: “Know and trust yourself. The words of others only have power if you give it to them.”
The exhibition featured stunning floral installations alongside a story wall where both Cherng and others share about their mental health struggles.
When asked what’s in store for her future birthdays, Cherng says she prefers to “go with the flow” and will sit down to plan for it towards the later part of the year. It’ll definitely be something meaningful and impactful, she adds.
Cherng’s approach to birthdays is a reminder that these milestones can be about more than just celebration – they can be moments of transformation, reflection and giving back to the community.
As she aptly puts it, “If you have the opportunity to do something meaningful, why not?”
Meaningful milestone
Cherng marked her 21st birthday by hosting a floral exhibition to promote mental health awareness.
The exhibition combined her passion for flowers with her mission to raise awareness about mental health.
Messages on post-in notes from visitors to help break the stigma on mental health.
Cherng started her online flower business at 15.
The exhibition is self-funded but she had generous sponsors for the venue and lucky draw prizes.
The exhibition featured stunning floral installations alongside a story wall where both Cherng and others share about their mental health struggles.
Bullies, whether online or offline – want you to doubt yourself and feel unworthy. But those who are truly successful won’t waste their time attacking others – they’d be focused on their growth, highlights Cherng.
Know and trust yourself. The words of others only have power if you give it to them, says Cherng, pictured at the 'story wall' of her exhibition.
