Kim Dao – Founder of Kim Dao Blog

As the founder of the immensely popular Kim Dao Blog, Kim Dao has earned quite a following on every social media platform imaginable. Dao’s popularity extends beyond the posts on her blog and her interactions on social media, as she has also created countless videos on makeup, fashion, and travel for her Kim Dao YouTube channel.

Dao, a graduate of the University of Western Australia, has written extensively about her travels and the decisions that led to her moving to Japan. In fact, it was her first trip to Japan that inspired her to create the Kim Dao Blog as a way to preserve the memory of that first trip, and the subsequent interest in her writing encouraged her to expand her efforts to include social media as well.

1. Where were you born?

I was born in Australia to Vietnamese parents, and I remained in Australia throughout my college years, studying psychology and Japanese at the University of Western Australia. Due to my interest in Japan and its culture, I decided to travel there once I completed my undergraduate studies, which ultimately led to my decision to move to Japan on a more permanent basis.

2. What’s your favorite type of food?

Growing up in a Vietnamese family, I am still partial to many aspects of Vietnamese cuisine. That being said, I am very open-minded when it comes to trying a new dish and have really enjoyed the variety of options that I have access to now that I live in Japan.

3. Describe your typical day.

I start every day by reading through all of my social media feeds and responding to the questions and comments posted by my followers. This process usually helps me identify a topic my readers will enjoy, so I then consider whether that topic best lends itself to a blog post, a video, or some combination of the two.

4. What’s one thing you’ve learned since you started your career?

I’ve learned that there is a great deal of demand for information provided in a more personal, interactive kind of way. My readers enjoy that they are able to learn about makeup, travel, and fashion in a way that is easily understood and makes them feel like they are being taught by a close, personal friend.

5. What’s one piece of advice you can share with others?

There is a reason that people are encouraged to do what they love, and it is much more than just ensuring that work doesn’t feel like work. You are so much more likely to excel in a field you are inspired to be a part of and that you’d enjoy even if you weren’t being financially compensated.