The founder of a popular travel blog, Kim Dao’s entrepreneurial ascent began as something of a happy accident. Searching for a way to document her first journey to Japan for posterity’s sake, Kim Dao created her blog as a digital journal she could share with friends and family at home in Australia. Once her writing began to draw increasingly widespread interest, she added a YouTube channel in order to provide a visual medium for her growing base of followers to enjoy.
Kim continues to run the Kim Dao Blog as well as her YouTube channel, but she has expanded her subject matter to include topics associated with fashion and makeup to go along with her extensive travels. Kim has also expanded the mediums through which she interacts with her followers, frequently sharing through social media platforms like Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, and many others.
The initial trip to Japan inspired Kim to move to the country for an extended period of time, allowing her to continue to write for her blog and produce videos for her YouTube channel while exploring the region as often as possible. Kim, a graduate of the University of Western Australia, has always been interested in Japanese language and culture, and she holds a degree in Japanese as well as a degree in psychology.
Kim, who is of Vietnamese descent, was born in Australia and has expressed an intention to settle down in the country of her birth sometime in the future. Although she plans to eventually return to Australia, Kim is extraordinarily content to continue living and working in Japan, especially since her experience in Japan has led to so many opportunities to work with major brands, including Liz Lisa, Etude House, and Amore Pacific, not to mention the countless others that have benefited from Kim’s talents as a brand ambassador and social media influencer.
1. What is your favorite thing about traveling?
Since I love to study other cultures, my favorite thing about traveling is the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge to pair with what I had already learned.
2. Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?
It’s a lifestyle, particularly since it was traveling that made it possible for me to move to Japan and to earn a living by documenting my travel experiences.
3. What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?
So far, Kyoto is the most beautiful place I’ve visited, but there is still so much more I would like to see.
4. Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?
Yes, I’ll be visiting my family and friends back in Australia quite soon.
5. What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?
I’d tell inexperienced travelers to learn as much as they possibly can before making travel plans, and, once the plans are made, to trust their instincts and have a good time.
6. Where would you like to go?
I’d like to visit Western Europe sometime soon.
7. Where would you like to revisit?
I had a wonderful time in Okinawa just recently, and I would certainly like to return as soon as I am able.
8. Do you travel alone? Why?
Yes, I tend to travel alone. I find that I am more likely to enjoy a more authentic and immersive experience when traveling solo rather than traveling with family or friends.
9. If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?
Just about any destination in Australia, Japan, or Vietnam is worth visiting again and again.
10. Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?
I pack up the house every time I travel. Even though it can be inconvenient at times, I like to have lots of fashionable options available to me and I’ve always been willing to go the extra mile for the sake of my personal style.
