Former beauty queen Carey Ng on her passions, pursuits, and parenthood

Former Miss Malaysia Carey Ng talks to Life Inspired about the challenges of juggling between entrepreneurship and raising her family.

Close friends for several years now, Julie Woon and Carey Ng are no strangers to the KL social scene, and over the years we’ve watched both ladies’ careers closely as they evolved from bright-eyed newcomers to A-list celebrities with several businesses to their names and a couple of adorable children each.

Life Inspired gets a deeper insight into the careers and personal lives of these two women, as well as their thoughts on Merdeka Day.

Also read: Julie Woon is driven to succeed in work and life

With her captivating smile, legs for days and voluminous head of hair, former pageant queen Carey Ng is a dream to photograph, with every frame hitting the ball out of the park.

Her pleasant demeanour also makes her easy to engage in conversation with, and it’s a pleasure to work with her on our shoot.

Ng has been consistently busy since she won the Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 pageant, her name rarely absent from stories in the media.

The 31-year-old has had her hands full with various ventures over the years, including one of her newest businesses, Curious Child, a preschool and enrichment centre which she founded in 2018.

Ng is married to entrepreneur Roen Cian, and the couple have two daughters. Photo courtesy of Carey Ng

Married to entrepreneur Roen Cian, the couple have two daughters, Shaelyn Rey, who turns three in September, and Bella Rey, who turned one in March.

The architecture graduate has worked as an architect, a TV host, an emcee, and had a two-term run as the Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation national director.

Right now, her focus is on her children and her childcare centre.

“I’ve been fully invested in my family and the new childcare business, ” says Ng. “It’s fulfilling and has taught me so much about children and education, which I’ve always had an interest in.

“I’m definitely focused on the business especially after Covid, so Curious Child Center can recover its full potential and maybe expand.”

A time to refocus

Reflecting on the Movement Control Order period, she found it was a time that gave her a chance to reflect.

“I think the quarantine has helped all of us focus and take away distractions in our lives to uncover what our real priorities are, ” she says.

Like many entrepreneurs and business owners, there have been challenges along the way but Ng stays on course.

Also read: Julie Woon is driven to succeed in work and life

To her, personal growth is important, and it keeps her disciplined and accountable to the bigger picture, and her vision for the centre.

“I want to be able to build something that is rewarding for the customers (or in this case, the children), and knowing that I’m learning and cultivating an environment that provides a good learning opportunity, ” she reflects.

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I find it challenging to split myself between home, my two girls as I’m super hands on, and the business. I still do some work on social media which I enjoy but time management is definitely a challenge, ” she says, adding that the two girls keep her on her toes when she’s not working.

Driven to success

Ng is incredibly driven, and strives for perfection, as is evident from the way she conducted herself at our cover shoot.

Years of experience as a model, as well as a keen eye for detail give her the ability to analyse a photo and know instantly what needs to be adjusted to get a better shot – whether it’s smiling a little wider, pulling back a stray lock of hair or tilting her head ever so slightly.

It’s clear that these attributes, as well as a pure passion for her work, are what make her endeavours a success.

“I’m generally a very focused person and I put in 101% if I’m in that phase. Whether it’s being an architect, then national director of the pageant, host, mum or a new business owner, ” she says.

“I find, keeping people that keep you on your toes helps motivate you to do better. People who make you want to be better are the best kind of motivation.”

While she works hard she makes sure she also has time for self-care.

“I believe in balance. Workouts are a great booster for me every day. I run, join HIIT (high intensity intercourse training) classes and hot pilates as a way to take my mind off kids and work.

“It’s important to do things we love. I used to love to paint, doodle and sketch which I find therapeutic. Rediscovering old passions can be very fulfilling, ” she adds.

No place like home

Julie Woon (left) and Carey Ng.

The self-professed homebody loves spending time at home, but does have her favourite travel destinations, including Iceland.

She is at her happiest when she’s with her children, and values, above all, the principles of loyalty, integrity and compassion.

While she doesn’t have a particular figure in her life whom she looks up to, as she finds herself inspired by various people in different sectors like fitness, motherhood or female empowerment, she relates a lot to her own mother.

“I don’t know or relate to any person as much as I can with my mother. Her life and her compassion inspire me to be better everyday, ” says Ng.

As National Day approaches, it’s only appropriate that our personalities give us their two cents on what freedom means to them.

“Freedom means being able to vote and have a voice as a Malaysian. Having a choice in how I want to live and give the best quality of living I can to my family, ” she quips.