Meet Huey Cao

We recently connected with Huey Cao and have shared our conversation below.

Huey , so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever head any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?

Oh boy, do I have a tale to tell you about my epic battle with the beast known as Creative Block. Picture this: me, armed with nothing but a blank page and a desperate hope that inspiration would magically strike, versus the sneaky, stubborn creature that seemed to thrive on my frustration. Spoiler alert: I won. But not without some seriously ridiculous moments along the way.

It all started on a Monday morning (because, of course, it had to be a Monday). I sat down at my desk, coffee in hand, ready to conquer the world with my brilliant ideas. I stared at the blank screen, waiting for the muse to visit. And I waited. And waited. Hours passed, and all I had to show for my efforts was an empty Word document and a rapidly cooling cup of coffee. I felt like a knight in shining armor whose steed refused to leave the stable.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. I decided to take a walk, hoping that a change of scenery would shake something loose. Spoiler alert: it did not. Instead, I found myself distracted by every dog, bird, and oddly-shaped cloud in the sky. I even found myself envying a squirrel that was effortlessly scampering up a tree. “Why can’t I be as productive as that squirrel?”

Next, I tried the tried-and-true method of browsing the internet for inspiration. Big mistake. I fell into the bottomless pit that is cat videos. Hours later, I knew everything about a cat’s ability to play the piano but still had zero creative ideas. Not to mention, my eyes were now twitching from screen fatigue.

But just when I thought all hope was lost, I had a revelation. Maybe, just maybe, the problem wasn’t a lack of inspiration. Maybe I was trying too hard to force creativity into a rigid mold. So, I decided to embrace the chaos. I turned off my computer, grabbed a notebook, and started doodling. It wasn’t about producing a masterpiece; it was about letting go and having fun. And you know what? It worked. Slowly but surely, the ideas began to flow. They weren’t perfect, but they were something.

Then, I upped the ante. I did something radical. I went out and bought a set of finger paints. Yes, finger paints. At first, I felt ridiculous. A grown adult, sitting on the floor, smearing paint around with my hands. But you know what? It was liberating. There’s something about getting messy and creating without any rules that frees up your mind. And as I mixed colors and created abstract masterpieces (which, let’s be honest, looked like a toddler’s work), I felt a spark reignite within me.

After my finger-painting extravaganza, I decided to apply the same principle to my writing. I wrote without worrying about grammar, plot, or coherence. I just let the words flow. I wrote nonsense, I wrote stream-of-consciousness rants, I wrote bad poetry. And hidden within the madness, I found gems of ideas that I could polish and develop.

But the true turning point came when I stopped taking myself so seriously. I embraced the absurdity of my situation. I started talking to my creative block as if it were a pesky roommate. “Oh, you’re here again?” I’d say, rolling my eyes. “Well, I hope you brought snacks because I’m not going anywhere.” Humor became my weapon. Instead of dreading the block, I learned to laugh at it.

And let me tell you, laughter is a powerful tool. It breaks down walls and opens up pathways in your mind. Suddenly, the block wasn’t a formidable enemy; it was just a temporary annoyance. And once I stopped fearing it, it lost its power over me.

So, there you have it. My battle with creative block wasn’t won through sheer force of will or divine inspiration. It was conquered with a mix of absurdity, laughter, and a willingness to get messy—literally and figuratively. The moral of the story? Sometimes, the best way to overcome a challenge is to stop taking it so seriously and just embrace the chaos. Who knew finger paints could be so therapeutic?

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Huey Cao, and I’ve had quite the journey that I’m excited to share with you. From the glossy pages of Vogue to the steep angles of rooftops, my path has been anything but ordinary.

You might recognize me as a published Vogue model – yes, the one with the killer cheekbones and impeccable style. But there’s more to my story than just striking a pose. Over time, my passion for creativity led me to swap the runway for a camera, evolving into a videographer and photographer. My lens has captured moments with some pretty incredible people, including BigXthaPlug, Skyy Moore of the Kansas City Chiefs, and the sensational singer, Kaash Paige. Who knew a roofing guy could have such cool friends?

Ah, roofing – the day job that keeps my feet firmly on (or rather, above) the ground. While balancing shingles might seem worlds apart from balancing light and composition, there’s something grounding about it. Plus, it’s an excellent workout. Ever tried lugging a bundle of shingles up a ladder? Talk about cardio!

Beyond my professional escapades, I am a proud father to two little boys who are the true stars of my life. They keep me on my toes and remind me daily of what’s truly important. From impromptu dance parties to endless rounds of “why” questions, they are my greatest inspiration and my toughest critics.

As I continue to grow both professionally and personally, my sights are set on a new horizon: becoming a full-time YouTuber. I’m excited about the endless possibilities this platform offers and the chance to share my unique blend of humor, creativity, and life experiences with a wider audience.

So, here I am, a Vogue model-turned-videographer, celebrity collaborator, dedicated roofer, and enthusiastic father, striving to carve out a space in the digital world. Life is a wild ride, and I’m loving every twist and turn. Stay tuned – the best is yet to come!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

To share a bit about my journey through life and how three skills/qualities—self-awareness, belief, and communication—have made it all a lot more interesting, and, dare I say, entertaining.

First up, self-awareness. Imagine a hamster in a wheel, running in circles without a clue. That was me, until self-awareness smacked me in the face like a cartoon anvil. I realized I had some quirks (okay, a lot of quirks) that needed fine-tuning. Thanks to self-awareness, I can now laugh at my past mistakes instead of cringing. Plus, I’ve become an expert in knowing when I’m about to do something incredibly dumb. Progress!

Then there’s belief. If self-awareness was the anvil, belief was the jetpack that propelled me forward. With a firm belief in myself, I’ve tackled challenges that I previously thought were as possible as a pig flying. It’s amazing what a little confidence can do—like that time I convinced myself I could cook a three-course meal. Spoiler: it involved a lot of smoke alarms, but hey, I believed!

Lastly, communication. Picture me trying to explain quantum physics to a five-year-old. Now, replace quantum physics with everyday tasks, and the five-year-old with, well, everyone. That was my communication style before I got a grip on it. Now, I can articulate my thoughts without causing mass confusion. My friends and family are grateful, and I think the world might be a slightly better place because of it.

In conclusion, self-awareness, belief, and communication have turned my life from a sitcom into a slightly more organized sitcom. Here’s to many more episodes of growth and laughter!

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

I wanted to take a moment to share how two of my friends, Marcus Romes and Drake Denison, have played a pivotal role in helping me develop essential skills and knowledge in life.

First, let me introduce Marcus Romes, my best friend and an amazing photographer. If there’s one thing Marcus has taught me, it’s the art of seeing the world through a different lens—quite literally! His ability to capture the beauty in the mundane has made me appreciate the little things in life. Thanks to Marcus, I’ve learned that life is all about perspectives. I may not be able to take a decent selfie yet, but I now understand the value of patience and creativity.

Then there’s Drake Denison, an absolute legend in sales and business. Drake’s the kind of guy who could sell ice to an Eskimo and make them feel good about it. From him, I’ve learned the importance of confidence, communication, and resilience. Whether it’s negotiating a deal or simply navigating everyday challenges, Drake’s wisdom has been like a GPS for my career path—always recalculating, but never off track.

Together, Marcus and Drake have equipped me with a unique set of skills. Thanks to Marcus, I’ve become more observant and creative. And with Drake’s guidance, I’ve sharpened my business awareness and learned to seize opportunities with both hands.

Who knew that hanging out with these two would turn me into a more well-rounded individual? It’s like having a life coach and a creativity guru rolled into one dynamic duo!

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Photo Creds: @stone_chrome & @thabookofmatthew

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Huey , so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever head any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

Image Credits