Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Rachel Ngayan of Carroll County, MD

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Rachel Ngayan. Check out our conversation below.

Rachel, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity all the way! I have found being transparent with my clients goes a long way, and I treat all of my clientele how I would want to be treated if I was paying for a service elsewhere.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, My name is Rachel. I am the proud owner of Lovely Brows and Beauty and a proud Mama to an awesome little girl.

For the past four years Ive gained incredible experience in the fi

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When my mother was diagnosed with dementia at age 64, I was 31- still figuring out who I was, raising an infant after years of fertility treatment, believing I had more time with the people who raised me.
Her diagnosis felt like life hit fast-forward without my permission.
Watching someone you love fade away, while trying to navigate my own life and family forces you to live life from another perspective. It stripped away this illusion that I had always perceived life which is life is endless, and your parents will always be there.
This roller coaster ride of Alzheimer’s/dementia shaped me to love deeper, and honor every small fleeting moment that I always overlooked.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely! I filed for divorce last year, and the question of whether I’d have to give up my business weighed heavily on me. My studio was located within my home, and the future seemed uncertain and finically unattainable.
I feel incredibly blessed that I not only found a new home close to my daughter, which facilitated a shared 50/50 custody arrangement in a safe location. The true turning point for my business came when my new landlord’s wife, a former client of mine, allowed me to continue operating my studio from their rental property.
I relocated here in September 2024, and since then, my business has reached new heights. Far from giving up, this challenging time has led to the best business success I’ve ever experienced! Good karma truly prevailed.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
It often starts at the core of the word “smart” and what society generally defines it to be.

I was told my entire life by teachers, family, and friends that school and college were the only path to success. Unfortunately for me, I was diagnosed with ADHD and test anxiety, and struggled far more than the average student. I lacked any motivation to pursue a conventional academic route.

It wasn’t until after high school, having completed only one semester of community college, that I realized the standard educational model simply didn’t work for me. I couldn’t learn or grasp information the same way my peers did. At 18, I began working as a dental assistant and quickly discovered a new truth: I wasn’t “dumb” at all. I was a visual learner who excelled at hands-on skills.

“Smart” is a multifaceted concept that comes in many different forms. A diagnosis of ADHD or any learning difference should never make a child feel they won’t achieve great things in life due to a different learning style.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would cash out any savings and retirement I have so I could stop working 2 jobs to make ends meet.
The reality of rising inflation and the astronomical cost of essentials like groceries means many people, myself included, are completely burnt out from working non-stop just to survive. This relentless grind leaves little room for genuine relaxation. Even the thought of a short, restorative trip feels stressful when the daily reality involves burning oneself out day after day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lovelybrowsmicroblading.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovely.brows.microblading/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lovely.Brows.Microblading