We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Adora Bao a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Adora, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Honestly, I think my resilience was born out of necessity. I became a teen mom, dropped out of college, and spent years in survival mode, on my own, with no safety net. It was sink or swim, and because I had my child depending on me, I knew I had to swim no matter what. There wasn’t anyone coming to save me, so I became the one who saved me.
I come from a Hmong refugee family where survival was the default setting. But I’ve always craved more than just getting by. I wanted to live fully, express myself, and build something that felt real and mine. Even when life was hard, I never stopped creating. Art was my anchor, my escape, and my compass. A lot of my resilience comes from that little girl in me who believed in magic, who clung to her sketchbook and dreamed of a softer, brighter life.
There were a lot of ups and downs along the way, a lot of hurdles I had to climb over without a map or a hand to hold. But every time I got through another storm, I came out stronger, more confident, and more sure of my own ability to create the life I wanted. I didn’t have anything handed to me, but I kept showing up anyway. Over time, I learned how to be both soft and strong, and that balance is what I try to embody in my art, my business, and how I move through the world now.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Hey, I’m Adora Bao. I’m a tattoo artist, illustrator, and content creator blending cozy chaos, magical girl vibes, and soul work. I help people reconnect with their creativity, embrace their inner weirdo, and live a life that actually feels like their own.
I specialize in illustrative tattoos inspired by fantasy, nature, anime, and storytelling. Whether it’s flash or custom, every piece I design has intention behind it and I love working with clients who value both the art and the process.
Outside the studio, I share behind-the-scenes of my creative life on YouTube, from vlogs and personal growth reflections to mindset tips for artists and creatives. I also run a monthly sticker and art print club on Patreon for folks who love intentional art and supporting independent creators.
Right now, I’m focused on growing my tattoo flash offerings, expanding my storytelling through video, and continuing to build a community that’s creative, kind, and a little magical. If you vibe with art that’s honest, dreamy, and a little wild-hearted, you’ll probably feel right at home in my corner of the internet.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three biggest things that carried me through were: resilience, the ability to reflect and be accountable, and the power to see projects and visions through over the long term.
Resilience came from a lot of sink-or-swim moments in my life. I had to get strong because there wasn’t another option. Every time life knocked me down, I got back up a little wiser, a little tougher, and a little more sure of who I am.
Reflection and accountability have been huge too. Being willing to actually look at myself. My patterns, my mistakes, my habits, and do something about them. That has made all the difference. Reflection has also helped me find my voice. The more I understood myself, the more comfortable I became expressing my experiences and thoughts out loud, and that’s what opened the door for me to become a better storyteller, whether through tattoos, art, or videos.
And honestly, one of my quiet superpowers is just staying the course. I don’t give up easily. I’m not flashy or rushing to the finish line. I believe in showing up day after day, even when the excitement wears off. That staying power has helped me build a life and career that actually feels real and sustainable, not just shiny on the outside.
If you’re just getting serious about building your path, my advice would be: stay grounded in your “why,” stay honest with yourself, and play the long game. You don’t have to have it all figured out overnight. Just keep showing up for what you believe in, even when nobody’s clapping yet.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal client is someone who values storytelling, intention, and creativity. They’re drawn to art that feels personal, a little dreamy, and a magical. They trust the creative process, come in with an open mind, and want something that feels just as meaningful as it is beautiful.
I love working with people who are thoughtful, respectful, and excited about collaborating to bring a piece of art to life. A lot of my work is inspired by fantasy, nature, and anime, so if you love those things too, we’ll probably vibe instantly.
Outside of tattooing, I also love connecting with people who enjoy the creative journey itself. Whether that’s following along with my behind-the-scenes vlogs and reflections on YouTube, supporting slow-living art through my Patreon, or just being part of a cozy, creative community on Instagram. If you’re someone who values intentional living, personal growth, and seeing beauty in the small things, you’re exactly the kind of energy I love welcoming into my world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.adorabaostudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adora.bao.studio
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@adora_bao
- Other: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/AdoraBaoStudio
Email: book.adorabao@gmail.com
Image Credits
Portrait – Autumn Luciano Studios
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