Today we’d like to introduce you to Kao Lee
Hi Kao, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 2017, my girls were 5 and 3. All they were watching was unboxing videos on YouTube. They would beg and beg for me to record them unboxing toys. My five-year-old at the time wanted to be a YouTuber and constantly asked me to make videos of her and post on YouTube. I had no idea what the hype was and barely watched YouTube myself so the answer was always no. Then one day, a friend who also had girls the same age as mine, said her daughter wanted to start a YouTube channel too and we should both do it so we can help each other figure this whole YouTube thing out.
We started out as Fun with Miya and Emmi on YouTube. They were really like home videos. The girls would fight with each other unboxing a variety of toys. They would have conversations with each other and the audience. I was in the background as the camera person, editing the videos, and uploading them on YouTube. Well, that was fun and we had great memories creating those videos and spending precious time together.
Then YouTube went through a huge change with kid content so we stopped posting content. TikTok became a huge platform. I was on Instagram for personal reasons like cooking and traveling ideas. But, funny enough, I really missed the unboxing experience where you got the excitement of collecting cute things and seeing your collection grow. I remember being at Justice, which was a store for girls at the time, and found a pencil case much like one I had always wanted as a kid, but never got one. So I bought this nostalgic pencil case, created a video and posted it on TikTok and Instagram. It went viral! I changed our handle to Fun with Life Now as it was really me having fun now with unboxing cute things I love or nostalgic finds from my younger days that still brings me joy and sharing that fun with my audience. The girls still jump in from time to time, but right now, they’re busy doing teenage things. One thing I’m realizing is that there are different stages in life and being a content creator, my content is going to resonate with those who share my same joy in life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It really has been a rollercoaster ride. There were so many things to learn along the way. Each platform had their own rules and I really had to make sure I was following their community guidelines. I had no experience editing videos, no equipment besides my smartphone, and no clue how to create thumbnails. I think there’s also always a little bit of self-consciousness being a content creator. For example, feeling like “Did I even have enough validity in this field to actually be considered an “influencer” or “creator?” I really had to network and talk with other people who could relate.
Another obstacle was monetizing in this field. When I first started, I had no idea that you could earn any sort of money doing this. I started purely to fulfill my kid’s dream. Then I started getting notifications that my profile now qualified to be monetized. Understanding how to maximize that has been a learning curve and still is.
Finally, I struggled with being obsessed with the numbers. When you have a period of viral content and then it slows down or plateaus, it really messes with your head. There have been times when I would need to check myself and remind myself why I’m doing this. And, honestly, giving myself grace to take a break when I feel burnt out. In some ways, those early days of not knowing what I was doing and just doing it had some advantages!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I create satisfying videos unboxing trendy toys and collectibles, and organizing collectibles and stationery. I am obsessed with organization. Color coding and having a place for everything is my happy place. I sometimes will just sit in my studio and look at all the shelves!
I am most proud of how far I’ve come. I’m having fun creating content with things I love and sharing them with like people. I’ve made some wonderful friendships along the way.
How do you think about happiness?
I’m happiest when I can create content that has an order to them! There is something about the aesthetic layout of a collection or setting up a new toy that brings me satisfaction. I guess this means I like it when there’s a system and order in my life!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funwithlifenow/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/funwithlifenow/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@funwithlifenow
