Rising Stars: Meet Rachel Ngayan

Rachel Ngayan

Hi Rachel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself and how you started your business.
I am now in my third year of owning Lovely Brows Microblading for permanent makeup in Finksburg, MD. I am a simple person that struggles with technology and social media. I knew absolutely nothing how to start, run, or build a business.  Somehow, I managed by taking baby steps and being a genuinely good person who values and respects their clients.

I have always been a person who lacked a sense direction in life, motivation, and self-esteem. Once I graduated high school, I didn’t go to college and was more concerned about the “party scene.”  I disliked school, had terrible test anxiety, and never felt super ambitious about anything. I wanted to get to the “work force” as soon as possible without having to go to school again. I ended up in the dental field because my twin sister was a dental assistant and loved it.  That’s what I chose at the age of 18. Dental assisting is a hands-on way of learning and gaining skills as you work in the office. I felt like I finally found a way of learning that I thrived on, which was a visual, hands-on approach vs. textbook. I did this happily for 13 years, until I found out my mother was diagnosed with early onset dementia at 64. That realization that my parents weren’t going to be around forever hit me very hard. I yearned for some type of change in my life where I could have the flexibility to have more family time. My husband and I decided we wanted to have our first baby during this time. My mother would hopefully get to meet him/her before she lost most of her memory..

I needed a career change where I could have more family time, but also provide something I could be proud of.  I wanted to help to improve others confidence, which is something I struggle with. After doing research, I decided I wanted to start my own business.  I wanted to take my time, and not feel rushed, overworked, and unfulfilled each day.

Knowing nothing about growing a business, I had to watch a lot of YouTube videos and take baby steps during the whole process. I had to slowly build up a client base by posting work I did on my friends/family on social media to gain attraction. I decided to only see one client a day to so I could focus on their needs and fulfill their ultimate brow goals without them feeling rushed or uncomfortable. I made my prices very low that first year, and even drove directly to client’s homes to make my services more accessible. I offered free consultations and never pressured my clients to do anything they were uncomfortable with. Being kind, patient, compassionate, and accommodating to my clients ended up working out in my favor since I had gained their trust. Many of my clients left me great Google reviews about their experience with me and that is what ultimately helped me grow my business.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I try to set myself apart in the industry by taking the time to get to know my clients on a personal level so I can fulfill their brow goals, and make them as happy and comfortable as possible! I have clients of all ages, ranging from 18 to 85, and each one I see is truly customized to look as natural as possible, not just a stamp or outline of your typical full brow.

My work is unique and doesn’t fit the normal permanent makeup brow style. I also decided I would only charge my clients half of the normal cost for this service so that I could help as many people as possible who may not be able to afford this expensive service.