When advising tech startups on everything from identifying target markets to building competitive strategies, her ability to translate between technical, legal and business perspectives positioned her as a strategic integrator, enabling teams to move faster, avoid costly missteps and deliver smarter solutions. She eventually launched a venture of her own. “I intentionally chose something I knew nothing about because I wanted a real challenge,” she said. “So I landed on artisanal confections. I spent months iterating recipes, engaging with customers and vendors, and learning the industry before getting it right.” That mix of business acumen, engineering precision and creative energy provided the perfect recipe. Tsao focused on handcrafted mahjong tile candy, inspired by childhood games with her grandmother. She was so small that her grandmother would gently lift her onto the table, her little legs dangling as the ivory-colored tiles clacked beneath her fingers. Though they didn’t share a language (her grandmother spoke Chinese and Tsao spoke English), they built a world of their own across the worn wooden table and through laughter and playful gestures. By combining this heartfelt story with a beautifully crafted product and savvy marketing, her business – Vivi + Livy – scaled quickly, earning coverage in major media outlets. She leveraged social media to drive sales, securing partnerships with high-end restaurants, including a Michelin Guide restaurant. The business is on hiatus now, but Tsao is grateful that her handcrafted mahjong candies sparked reconnection. “Many customers shared that the candy brought their families together to play mahjong and share laughter after years apart,” Tsao said. “Knowing my product helped create special memories means the world to me.” While creating her business, Tsao reflected
more deeply on her identity as both Asian and American, yet never fully belonging to either world. In the wake of rising anti-Asian sentiment during the pandemic, she turned to art to bridge cultures by creating spaces for cultural appreciation, connection and respect. Inspired by San Francisco’s public art, she pitched a proposal to the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and was commissioned to design a sculpture to celebrate the year of the ox, which was displayed at San Francisco International Airport. The work was so well received that she’s been invited back yearly to create new sculptures. “The most meaningful part of creating art is hearing how it sparks joy, touches hearts and helps people feel understood,” she said. “Knowing my work inspires connection and healing makes all the effort worthwhile.” As an artist, she creates experiences that resonate while continuing to serve her mission as a cultural connector. Her latest piece, the Warrior Serpent, sponsored by the Golden State Warriors, honors both the team’s legacy and Chinese culture. Taken together, Tsao’s experiences reveal how different disciplines combine to create realworld impact. Law sharpened analytical and communication skills, engineering fostered rigor and iterative problem-solving, entrepreneurship developed adaptability and resilience, and art cultivated creativity and intuition. Each path strengthens the others: law provides structure, engineering adds logic, business drives innovation and art brings insight into people. For Tsao, the unifying thread is impact. “You don’t have to choose just one path. It’s about creating something meaningful, whether it’s art, a software application, a business solution, or a memory with my kids. Stay passionate and flexible and you can pursue multiple interests without giving up on your dreams.” Vikki Bowes-Mok is a freelance writer and editor.
Lunar New Year sculptures created by Stephanie Tsao 2025 Warrior Serpent, Chase Center, San Francisco 2024 Heavenly Jade Dragon, Thrive City, San Francisco 2023 Prosperity Rabbit, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco 2022 Wealth and Health Tiger, Portsmouth Square, Chinatown, San Francisco 2021 Happy Terminal
Year Ox, SFO International
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