Welcome to Living Well — our bi-weekly spotlight on different women that we admire and find fascinating. Our goal is to share an intimate peek into these women’s lives by asking them the questions that allow them to open up about their imperfect truth, whatever that may be. 

I so appreciate women who work to foster community. Through Ink + Porcelain, Cindy Ngo has created a hub of support and inspiration for creative entrepreneurs in the most beautiful way. Cindy is friendly, supportive, and imaginative and I love the aesthetic of what she puts out in the different branches of her business.

I am excited to know more about Cindy because it is clear that she in very intentional in all she does.

Enjoy!

Jaimi

If you've done the Values Deck exercise, what are your top five values? Tell us how one of them manifests in your life. What is a decision you’ve made using it to guide you?

Perseverance, Accountability, Care, Creativity, and Loyalty.

Perseverance manifests in many forms in my personal life and business and is one of the most important values that I live by. It's what keeps me going when things get tough and it's what helps me to push through and overcome obstacles. When I was first starting INK + PORCELAIN, I was faced with a lot of challenges, and there were times when I felt like giving up. But I didn't. I persevered because I decided to not look back. And I kept going, and I eventually made it through to the other side. That's the only way to make it to the other side in fact – is not to stop. Some say the obstacle is the way; I think navigating the obstacle is the journey itself, and so learning how to do it effectively is key.

What does a life well lived look like to you?

A life well lived is a life lived with purpose. That means having a clear understanding of what you want to achieve in life and working towards that goal with determination. Purposeful living is a journey, and it is one that is incredibly rewarding.

My version of success is…

I believe that success is a personal journey that is different for everyone. For me, it is about having a balance between work and life. I think that it's important to have a career that you are passionate about, but it is also important to have time for your friends and family, and to pursue your hobbies and interests outside of work. We all have different starting points and different circumstances, so it is important to remember that success is relative.

In what way are you seeking to grow right now?

Running a business can feel lonely at times, so I realized early on that one way to stave off that feeling was to reach out to other similar founders and female creatives. There is a direct correlation between my own personal growth and the network that I've built along the way, as each person I meet has their own unique perspectives and experiences to share.

What is one way that you are different today than you were ten years ago?

I am more courageous today than I was ten years ago, and no longer afraid to ask for help. I attribute this change to the fact that I have faced many challenges over the past ten years and have learned that I am capable of handling whatever comes my way. I have also learned that asking for help does not mean that I am weak or incapable, but simply that I recognize that I cannot do everything on my own.

Setting aside modesty for a moment, what are you excellent at?

I love to streamline my life, so I learned to become good at organizing and creating a system for everything to run smoothly. From how I handle tax forms to how I keep my desk tidy, I just operate more efficiently when there's a plan.

Whose life perspective and way of moving through the world teaches you something about who + how you want to be?

I am inspired by people who are able to live in the present moment and enjoy the simple things in life. I admire people who are kind and compassionate and who are able to see the beauty in others. I strive to be like these people and to live a life that is full of meaning and purpose.

Is there a quote or mantra you always come back to?

Take the plunge.

Can you share a book, podcast, or article that changed you in some way?

I can't say that any one book, podcast, or article has changed me in some way, but I can say that I have been influenced by many different books, podcasts, and articles over the years. Some of the most influential for me have been: You Are a Dream by Guillaume Wolf, More Than One Thing Podcast by Athena Calderone, and Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are | Amy Cuddy Ted Talk.

What are you grateful for today?

For all the people and encounters that made me, and continue to shape, who I am.

Cindy Ngo is the Founder of INK + PORCELAIN, a design studio and platform for female creatives. A destination for inspiration through curated home edits, stories of women paving their own path, and a place to shop handmade products made by women. Follow Cindy's work on Instagram @inkandporcelain.