Check out our interview with NY vlogger and social media influencer Vincent Gao.
Vincent garnered much of his popularity through TikTok where he accumulates over 5M followers posting a range of comedic videos. In 2022, he founded and established the brand YAWAWE, an entertainment company that is popular for its prank videos, comedic stunts, and vlogs.
Follow Vincent on IG @imvincentgao & TikTok @imvincentgao
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Describe yourself in 3 words?
Fun, bold, and noble.
Who is your role model?
My family, as well as many entertainment teams and artists. Kevin Hart, Logan Paul, Impractical Jokers, and Kyle Ferguson. My dad is a businessman. My mom stays at home. They both taught me completely different points of view on business and money, so I learned to balance out both.
How did you get started into the business?
I was in school, and this girl broke up with me. I decided it was now or never. Instead of being upset about the situation, I funneled my feelings into creating content.
How and when did you start doing videos?
The very first video I made was during the summer before high school. My parents gave
me an old iPhone, and I started recording on it.
Your videos are super popular and started like a joke of taking people’s hats and turned to be something very creative and world-wide trend. Tell us about it.
Oh, that’s so funny. I was in Georgia when I first did this. I would do something outrageous, run around the corner, and completely change my identity. People would question if it was me who just pulled the prank. I just play along and improvise.
What is fun and rewarding about it? And what is not?
The best part about this is after shooting the video. I would talk to the person. 99.99% of the time, if you’re honest and humble about it, they are super cool people and supportive of your goals. I make so many new friends that way too.
Did you had any experience on filming or editing to start with?
I started off editing myself. I would click on random buttons, mess up a couple of clips, or
delete the entire footage and have to start all over again. It was frustrating back then because there were fewer tutorials to figure out the best way to edit. I learned through trial and error. Filming wise… I’ve always had a natural instinct on what angle to film at and capture. I never really had a second thought about it.
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
Enjoy the journey, not the destination.
The most important thing when you are shooting/filming is?
Always remaining calm and flexible. You never know what can happen.
Now tell us about the huge TikTok & IG success and what are you doing to keep it going and growing even more?
I’m building a brand called YAWAWE. It’s going to be an entertainment brand with multiple personalities on camera. That will allow more room for expansion.
What do you think is the secret to have a successful TikTok/YouTube/IG account?
Consistency and persistence for sure. You have to push.
TikTok, YouTube or Instagram. Pick one and why?
YouTube. They have always been super transparent with their creators and stand on the
forefront of taking care of their creators. It seems familiar to Disney’s business
management model. I had the honor to meet Lee Cockerell, retired executive vice
president of Disney World Resorts, growing up. His mentorship has taught me that
everything comes down to your core team. Treat your employees and contractors right; they will be happy, and managers will be happy. When everyone is happy, nobody leaves the organization.
How often do you create content and what is your creative process?
I post every day on every platform.
When you started your account, did you expected such a success?
Not at all. I went through 5 TikTok accounts before the 6th one actually blew up. YouTube
took seven years before taking off at the beginning of 2023. That was just being persistent. My old videos are seeing spikes, thanks to the consistency.
I bet you get millions of it, but what are the best and worst Instagram DM pickup lines you received so far?
Some women have copied and pasted from the internet, which is not very original. Those are all bad. But the best one happened to be simple, straightforward, and bold. She
said, “I WANT YOU.” That was flattering.
What mindsets helped make you so successful?
My mom always said I was stubborn. After leaving home, I failed a lot, so I learned my limitations and studied myself more to find balance. I realized being persistent and
humble was the best balance.
As a popular influencer you are followed by so many people. How do you feel about that pressure of doing always the right thing, and encourage people to follow their dreams?
I don’t feel pressure at all. I’m just a person having fun and recording his life while meeting people. People will say what they want. I’m extremely proud of my vlogs; they show my personality and how I treat people, unlike short-vertical videos. I always have a positive heart, so anything I do comes with good intentions, and I also like to encourage people through both my words and actions.
Are some of the videos staged? Or have you had any issues with anyone filming them?
Any good content always has a plan in place to ensure the best outcome for the audience. I want them to laugh and remember me. It’s like reality TV! Also, there are people who had issues, but I always own up to my actions.
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far?
Whenever someone treats me wrong, I do not repeat the same action to another person. I don’t want another person to go through the same thing.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
The Root. I thought long a hard about this. I had so many ideas, but this is the best. Everything comes down to your core belief and value. If you are willing to put in work,
you will have an outcome. Many people heard the phase “what goes around, comes around.” I firmly believe this to the core.
Any advice to entrepreneurs out there?
Stop talking, stop writing business plans, start taking action, and start taking control of your life.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
The 38 Letters from J.D. Rockefeller to his son.
What is the toughest decision you had to make in the last few months?
Oh god, I think it’s making tough financial decisions whether to spend money on things that may or may not help your career because there’s risk involved.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
The most rewarding part is that my audience enjoys the content I like to create. It’s a great feeling to do what you love and have others love it too!
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
If you do what you love you will become what you loved.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Poke Bowl.
And your favorite cheat food?
Korean fried chicken.
How would you explain your fashion style?
It depends on what I’m doing. I went to a uniformed school growing up, so I only developed a style much later. I usually wear pastel shorts and a t-shirt. I always liked quiet
luxury and old money style, though.
How would your best friend describe you?
My friends would say I’m wise, fun, upbeat, logical, emotionally intelligent, and driven.
What’s next for Vincent Gao in 2023?
I want to be in movies and continue building the YAWAWE brand.
What is your own definition of happiness?
When you have a group of friends that’s also financially successful as you and y’all can
travel together and make videos for fun. Also, having a loyal girl that’s been there since the start. Having the ability to buy my family, grandkids, and honorable friends things would bring me joy.
How is a normal day in your life?
I play a bit of chess, check my emails, check the news on the world, go to the gym, film, edit videos, and talk to people that stimulate my thinking and career.
What is your idea of a perfect Sunday?
Do you know what’s actually funny? I never look at weekdays or weekends separately. I think every day is another 24 hours in the life god has given me. So do whatever you want to push forward. Whenever I accomplish my task, I like to play this game called the age of empire. It stimulates my competitiveness and forward-thinking skills.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Walt Disney. How did he build a legacy? I want to see his perspective on creating the
Disney empire.
Best advice ever given?
If you don’t take the opportunity, the next person in line will.
Do you support any charity?
I support anything in coral reefs, natural life, ocean life, and animals.
Name 3 things you can’t live without?
My iPhone, laptop, and a bank account.
Where do you see yourself and your career 5 years from now?
YAWAWE has a team of multiple on-camera personalities pumping out videos and also, making TV Shows and podcasts for a more mature audience. I’ll definitely have a loyal and classy girlfriend by then.
Favorite song? Why?
Still going down by Morgan Wallen. Morgan said, “the way I talk, I guess I got It from my
pops” it resonated with me because the way I talk also comes from life experience and
my father. “There’s a million other people like me” and “” I’m just another southern hell
raiser” reminds me that I’m still a human to the core like everyone else so I need to
distinguish myself and climb to the peak while still being humble.
What music do you like?
Mainstream Country, Rap, C-pop, Rock, and calm Alternative.
What do you think of Social Media?
Social media has pushed society forward as a whole. We are now more aware of
other cultures instead of living in our own country. We see things people would
have never believed if it wasn’t recorded or talked about. Having information that
spreads in a matter of milliseconds is crucial to the development of the human race.
Where can we follow you?
All my social media accounts are @imvincentgao
Quote: Don’t waste your youth.
Favorite Singer/Artist: Lil Tjay
Movie: Rise of the Apes
Travel Destination: China
Sports Team: Whoever lets me vlog with them first
Tv Show: I haven’t watched anything for the past few years.
Book: The Richest Man In Babylon
