Kim Dao, the founder of the Kim Dao Blog, has built a massive following by producing and sharing informative and entertaining videos through her wildly popular YouTube channel. A passionate travel enthusiast, Kim Dao often documents her international travel experiences through the digital video platform.
Dao’s YouTube channel often features a wide range of subjects beyond travel as well, including makeup and fashion. Although she never set out to build such a substantial following, Dao now wields a tremendous amount of influence through several social media platforms, leading to a number of professional opportunities all over the world.
Dao, who was born in Australia to Vietnamese parents, now lives and works in Japan, where she documents her unique daily experiences through Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook, along with so many other social media platforms. What originally began as a means for preserving her first trip to Japan through video is now a full-time responsibility. Of course, it is a responsibility from which she derives profound enjoyment, but it is a responsibility nonetheless.
Due to her sizable social media following and her clear talents as a brand ambassador, Dao has worked with some of the most renowned brands in the makeup and fashion industries. Dao’s experience includes brands such as Schwarzkopf, Liz Lisa, Etude House, Amore Pacific, and Shu Uemura, just to name a few. She has also been extensively featured through various media outlets and publications, appearing on television networks in Japan that include TBS and NHK in addition to being profiled in Western Australian print media.
Dao is a graduate of the University of Western Australia, where she studied Japanese as well as psychology. Following her first visit to the country that has long piqued her interest, Dao made the decision to live in Japan and began the process that would allow her to do so in 2011. With plans to return to Australia eventually, Dao continues to share all of her experiences with her devoted followers through her many social media platforms.
1. What was your best/favorite subject in school?
I enjoyed anthropology and psychology, but learning about Japan — its language, culture, history, and more — has always been most enjoyable for me.
2. What was your first job?
I worked a lot of odd jobs throughout my academic career, particularly since I was so focused on maintaining a sterling academic record.
3. Where and how did you first get into the industry you currently work in?
It was quite an accident that I got started in this industry, as I only intended to document my first trip to Japan on video. I quickly developed a sizable following and I now get to work with many of my favorite brands.
4. How have those jobs prepared you for what you do now?
I’ve actually relied more on my academic experience while working in this field, and I am quite fortunate that I elected to take several courses on videography and digital editing.
5. Describe the best day of work you’ve ever had.
The first day I realized I had successfully transformed my recreational pursuits into professional pursuits was easily the best day of work I’ve ever had.
6. How do you keep yourself motivated?
I’ve never had to consciously work at staying motivated since I am doing what I love to do.
7. What kind of business ideas excite you most?
I find the ideas that bring people together are most exciting, especially when the idea connects people who may have never otherwise connected.
8. Have you ever tried any unorthodox techniques to attract attention to your business?
Since I began my career almost by accident, I’ve never really gone out of my way to attract attention; the attention just seems to find me on its own.
9. What personal achievement are you most proud of?
It took me quite a bit of time to plan and save for the move to Japan, so I am proud of the fact that I developed and executed a plan that has worked out so perfectly.
10. What wisdom you would have liked to share with yourself when you first started out?
I would have tried to calm my nerves a bit, as I was quite anxious about moving to a new country without any sort of support network in place.