Miss Represented: Victoria Ng [Episode 59]

Summary

Miss Represented: Victoria Ng [Episode 59] – Detailed Summary

Introduction to Victoria Ng

In Episode 59 of the Miss Represented Podcast, host Lisa Opie welcomes Victoria Ng, Ms. Grand Michigan 2025, a multifaceted individual excelling as a senior software engineer, entrepreneur, and a passionate advocate for Asian women's representation. With an impressive academic background from DePaul University, Victoria melds her expertise in international studies, public relations, and leadership and policy studies to drive innovation and impact both in her professional and personal endeavors.

Pageant Journey and Asian Representation

Victoria’s foray into pageantry began unexpectedly while volunteering at an event in Chinatown.

• Genesis of Her Pageant Career ([02:33]):
  “I saw the girls on stage, and then I was like, I want to be like them. I want to be confident like them. I want to be glammed up.”
  Victoria was inspired to join pageants at 19 after witnessing the confidence and glamour of pageant participants, leading her to compete annually for over a decade.

• Transition from Miss Chinatown to Miss Illinois USA ([03:22] – [04:12]):
  Moving from the Miss Chicago Chinatown Pageant to a more mainstream Miss Illinois USA, Victoria highlighted the nuanced challenges of balancing her dual identity as both Chinese and American.
  “I had to both lean into that Asian side, but then still bring out the more expression, aggressive, proactive side of me as well.” ([04:25])

• Challenges and Growth ([05:01] – [06:09]):
  Victoria did not place in her first attempt at Miss Illinois USA but returned the following years, achieving top 16 placements twice. She emphasized the importance of confidence and expression, noting, “I need to be more open with my posing. I need to be more confident with my expressions.”

• Raising Age Limit in Ms. Grand ([06:31] – [08:05]):
  With the age limit for Ms. Grand International increasing, Victoria seized the opportunity to compete in a pageant that celebrates women beyond their 30s.
  “They realize that there's so many women out there who are past 30. But 30 is no longer the prime.” ([07:36])

Preparation for Ms. Grand Michigan 2025

Victoria delves into her rigorous preparation for the Ms. Grand competition, focusing on authenticity and stage presence.

• Coaching and Training ([08:33] – [10:37]):
  Victoria is collaborating with PR Pageant Coaches and choreographer Angel Reyes to enhance her stage performance.
  “Jules will say, say over and over again, like, you don't have to impress them with the most deep or accolade heavy resume. You don't need to hit all the points in interview. You just need to be a likable, genuine person.” ([09:50])

• Emphasizing Likability and Authenticity ([09:50] – [10:37]):
  Transitioning from mainstream pageants, Victoria focuses on being genuine and likable, moving away from trying to impress judges with extensive resumes.

Entrepreneurial Ventures and Business Plans

Victoria's entrepreneurial spirit shines through her initiatives aimed at empowering women and making technology accessible.

• Chicago Women Empowerment Nonprofit ([12:27] – [16:05]):
  Founded to create a supportive space for Asian women, the nonprofit has evolved to address changing community needs, including fashion shows, pageants, and empowerment workshops.
  “There's no one way to empower women, but it changes over time.” ([34:19])

• Tech Venture: AI Education App ([13:22] – [16:05]):
  Victoria is developing an app that allows women to share stories with their elders through daily prompts and voice memos.
  “It's going to be like a daily prompt... and there's going to be voice memos so you can, you know, talk with your grandma and say, hey, can you tell me a story about xyz?” ([13:43])

• Monetization and Community Focus ([13:43] – [14:37]):
  Victoria plans to sustain the app through subscription fees, emphasizing community and shared cultural traditions over direct monetization.

Career in Software Engineering

Victoria discusses her unconventional path into software engineering and the challenges she faces as a woman of color in a male-dominated field.

• Transition into Tech ([16:05] – [17:22]):
  Victoria transitioned from nonprofit work to tech by completing a three-month data science bootcamp, eventually securing a position as a senior software engineer.
  “As long as I believe in myself, I can do anything.” ([16:05])

• Challenges as a Woman and POC ([17:55] – [21:26]):
  Often the only woman or person of color in her teams, Victoria navigates cultural differences and asserts her authority in predominantly male spaces.
  “There's always going to be like, cultural differences and things... [I] have to figure out ways to express myself in a way that's authentic to myself, but at the same time asserts authority.” ([18:22])

• Advocacy for Diversity and Inclusion ([21:36] – [22:33]):
  Victoria critiques corporate DEI initiatives as often superficial, advocating for genuine, salaried roles dedicated to diversity and inclusion efforts.
  “They need to be held accountable for it.” ([22:16])

AI Education and Privacy Concerns

Drawing from her engineering expertise, Victoria highlights the importance of AI literacy and privacy protection.

• Personal Data and AI Risks ([22:37] – [28:21]):
  Victoria warns against sharing sensitive information with AI platforms like ChatGPT, emphasizing the need for privacy and proper data handling.
  “Anything that you put out there... could eventually go back to the system in ways that maybe you don't expect.” ([23:30])

• Educating About AI Risks ([26:15] – [28:21]):
  She advocates for educating the public on safely using AI, suggesting techniques like obscuring sensitive information in queries.
  “If you're going to say like, theoretically, I want to log into this thing... provide like a temp, made-up password.” ([26:37])

• Future of AI Integration ([26:56] – [28:21]):
  Victoria envisions AI becoming more integrated into everyday products, urging caution as convenience often comes at the cost of privacy.
  “The convenience, again, always comes with a price, so just be careful.” ([26:56])

Embodying the Four Bs of Ms. Grand

Victoria articulates how she integrates Beauty, Brains, Body, and Business into her daily life and aspirations.

• Beauty ([28:45] – [30:34]):
  Continual improvement in makeup and appearance, working with professionals to enhance her stage presence.
  “I'm constantly trying to listen to people first before I speak. I'm trying to understand people in the deepest way possible so that I can share myself more authentically as well.” ([29:07])

• Brains ([30:34] – [30:47]):
  Leveraging her diverse academic and professional background to inform her multifaceted approach in both engineering and pageantry.

• Body ([29:02] – [28:45]):
  Maintaining physical health through varied workouts like hot yoga, Pilates, and resistance training, which also contribute to mental well-being.

• Business ([30:34] – [35:41]):
  Balancing her role as a software engineer and entrepreneur, developing projects that empower women and foster community.

Leadership through Nonprofit Work

Victoria reflects on her leadership journey within her nonprofit and the evolution of women empowerment initiatives.

• Chicago Asian Women Empowerment ([32:41] – [35:45]):
  Leading initiatives such as Asian Fashion Show Chicago and Miss Asian Chicago, Victoria emphasizes the dynamic nature of empowerment, adapting to the shifting needs of the community.
  “Empowerment probably looks more like job opportunities, internships, ways in which we can get them involved in the job market.” ([34:19])

• Adapting to Community Needs ([34:20] – [35:45]):
  Post-pandemic challenges and economic shifts have prompted Victoria to rethink and restructure her nonprofit to better serve women seeking employment and personal growth opportunities.

Personal Insights and Advice

Victoria shares her philosophy on individuality, empowerment, and personal growth.

• Embracing Identity ([36:17] – [37:28]):
  Encouraging women to "do you" and embrace their unique paths without judgment.
  “We all have only one life to live. ... Whoever comes to me ... I want to work with them to figure out what they want to accomplish.” ([36:30])

• Empowering Women ([37:32] – [41:08]):
  Advocating for continuous self-improvement and authenticity in relationships and personal endeavors.
  “There is a constant improvement of oneself. ... reflecting because we're always growing and learning.” ([37:57])

Conclusion

In this engaging episode, Victoria Ng offers a compelling narrative intertwining her experiences in pageantry, technology, and community leadership. She underscores the significance of authentic representation, the challenges faced by women of color in STEM fields, and the imperative of safeguarding privacy in the age of AI. Through her entrepreneurial ventures and nonprofit work, Victoria exemplifies the embodiment of the four Bs—Beauty, Brains, Body, and Business—demonstrating a holistic approach to personal and professional empowerment. Her insights provide invaluable guidance for listeners aspiring to navigate similar paths of growth, leadership, and advocacy.

Notable Quotes:

• “[...] I decided that I was going to do a pageant.” – Victoria Ng ([02:33])
• “I need to be more open with my posing. I need to be more confident with my expressions.” – Victoria Ng ([05:57])
• “You don’t need to impress them with the most deep or accolade heavy resume. You just need to be a likable, genuine person.” – Victoria Ng ([09:50])
• “They realize that there's so many women out there who are past 30. But 30 is no longer the prime.” – Victoria Ng ([07:36])
• “We all have only one life to live. ... Whoever comes to me ... I want to work with them to figure out what they want to accomplish.” – Victoria Ng ([36:30])

Connect with Victoria Ng:

Stay updated with Victoria’s journey to the crown and her empowering initiatives by following her on Instagram: @VictoriaMercedesIng or @Ms.Official.

Transcript

[Lisa Opie]

Dive into summer with Vizkaya Swimwear. Stylish, comfortable, unforgettable. Make a splash with Vizkaya Swimwear. Discover your beauty with Lady Code cosmetics. Bold colors, flawless finishes. Unleash your confidence with Lady Code. Hello, and welcome back to Misrepresented I. I'm your host, Lisa Opie. And before I introduce today's guest, of course we have to thank Pinkapple Dresses for dressing both of us today. We're going for this green vibe, and we love it so much. So thank you. Pink Apple dresses. I'd also like to thank the code creatives for the production of this podcast and Beauty by Lady Code for our hair and makeup using the Lady Code cosmetics. Our guest today is Victoria Ng. Victoria is Ms. Grand Michigan 2025, a senior software engineer, entrepreneur, and fierce advocate for Asian women's representation. With degrees in international studies, public relations, and leadership and policy studies from DePaul University, Victoria's career is driven by innovation, purpose, and impact. She's the founder of Chicago Women Empowerment, a nonprofit undergoing exciting transformation, and she's currently developing a tech venture focused on making artificial intelligence education more accessible. Victoria has competed in pageants for over a decade, including Ms. Illinois USA, Ms. Chinatown USA, always bringing intellect, authenticity, and culture to the stage. Whether she's launching a small business, restructuring a nonprofit, or face painting at a local kids event, Victoria is driven by curiosity and grounded in purpose. She's here to challenge norms, celebrate identity, and embody the four Bs of Ms. Grand Beauty, brains, body, and business. Welcome, Victoria.

[Victoria Ng]

Thank you for having me.

[Lisa Opie]

How's Miami treating you?

[Victoria Ng]

I love the weather. I needed this for my skin and hair.

[Lisa Opie]

No, seriously. I feel like humidity is the fountain of youth, right? So, like, being here, I'm like, people just don't age down here.

[Victoria Ng]

Well, I can see.

[Lisa Opie]

Oh, thank you. And right back at you. Even though you're from Chicago.

[Victoria Ng]

Thank you.

[Lisa Opie]

So in Glam, we were talking a lot about pageants, Obviously going to Miss Curious and everything like that. And the most interesting thing that we talked about was, like, how Asians aren't really represented yet. So we want to talk about that. But first, walk me through your whole pageant journey. How did you get into it? What did you compete in?

[Victoria Ng]

It all started when I was volunteering in an event in Chinatown. I did not know there was going to be a pageant. Really? No, I didn't. I just saw the girls on stage, and then I was like, I want to be be like them. I want to be confident like them. I want to be glammed up. And that's when I decided that I was going to do a pageant. I was 19 years old. The next time that the pageant came around, I kept competing year over year. And now I'm 32 years old. And I've realized that pageantry has been the catalyst for some of the most beautiful things in my life. My best friends, I've gone to their wedding, their baby showers, and I've just grown so much in confidence in my ability to speak about what I care about. So pageantry has been a long journey for me from Asian pageantry to then Main street pageants.

[Lisa Opie]

So your first one was what pageant? Miss Chinatown.

[Victoria Ng]

It was originally called the Miss Frenchman Bastard. Now it's called the Miss Chicago Chinatown Pageant.

[Lisa Opie]

Oh my gosh.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

And I love that. Like it's specifically for Asian women. So you probably felt like, seen and represented and you were like, I can do something like this. So going From Ms. Chinatown USA to Ms. Illinois USA, how was that change and did it open your eyes to anything?

[Victoria Ng]

It did. You know, I've realized that there was so much about myself that I was not expressing because being a Chinese, both Chinese and American, I kind of have to saddle those two identities, if you will, all the time, like in all the spaces that I'm in, whether that be pageantry or otherwise. And so when I went to Miss Illinois usa, it was different because everyone saw me not as just another contestant, but rather as the Asian girl.

[Lisa Opie]

Were you the only Asian girl?

[Victoria Ng]

I was. I think I was one of two, yes. And at least, you know, forward facing. I'm the most Asian looking, if you will.

[Lisa Opie]

Wow.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

So how did that make competing different for you?

[Victoria Ng]

It made it so different because I realized I had to both lean into that Asian side, but then still bring out the more expression, aggressive, proactive, like, I'm going to take a stand, I'm going to make a statement side of me as well. And it was tough because on the one hand, I'm taught in my Asian side that I need to be humble, I need to listen before I speak. But really, in mainstream pageants, especially in the United States, you have to build your own brand for yourself. You have to say more than what you think others should already know about you. For example.

[Lisa Opie]

Yeah, yeah, definitely. And how did you do at Miss Illinois usa?

[Victoria Ng]

So the first time I did not place at all.

[Lisa Opie]

Oh my God.

[Victoria Ng]

And I didn't. I didn't know what to expect. Honestly, going into it, it was just such a shock to be surrounded by so many women who have experienced it many, many times. Over have received training. I also never received any formal training, like, ever. Not until this year.

[Lisa Opie]

Okay.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes. So at the time, it was just. I was so green to everything, so I didn't really get to express myself in the way that I wanted to. But then I came back. I came back to last year, and I made top 16.

[Lisa Opie]

Congratulations. That's huge. Illinois is competitive.

[Victoria Ng]

It is. And thank you so much. And then this year, again, I made top 16.

[Lisa Opie]

Oh, my gosh. Wait, so you did it three times?

[Victoria Ng]

I did three times.

[Lisa Opie]

Wow. Okay, so each time, you obviously learn something and you grow a little bit. What are some things that you learned from the first year to, like, the last year where you're like, I'm not doing that again. I have to change that.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes, definitely. The posing. Like, I need to be more open with my posing. I need to be more confident with my expressions. I think I was a little too maybe cutesy or too smiley.

[Lisa Opie]

Well, that girl's gone because we're here shooting at the Code Creative. She's doing some of her official photos right now, and she is a baddie. I was like, oh, my God. So fierce. Like, you have that grand energy now. So I don't know if it was Ms. Grand or Ms. Lano that brought it out of you, but you're so years.

[Victoria Ng]

Oh, we will get to that.

[Lisa Opie]

Yes.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

So after that, you decided to compete for Ms. Grand?

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

And where did that decision happen?

[Victoria Ng]

I've actually always watched Ms. Grand. For the longest time, I really wanted to do it, but I had aged out by the time I was like, you know, I have the confidence in me. I can do mainstream pageants. I could be that glam. And then recently, they increased the age limit.

[Lisa Opie]

Okay, so when they announced that, did people tag you? Were they reaching out to you, being like, you should do this, or did you see it first? And you were like, I'm gonna do this?

[Victoria Ng]

I saw it, I think, within 15 minutes of it being posted.

[Lisa Opie]

Oh, my gosh.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes. And it was even before Miss Grand USA posted it. It was Miss Grand International first. And then I was like, okay, it probably trickles down at some point. I'm. I'm gonna apply. Let's see what happens. And then here I am.

[Lisa Opie]

Oh, my God.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

I'm, like, wondering what made them want to make that decision. Do you think, like, universe made them, like, put pressure on them, or do you think they just wanted to raise the age limit? Because it's not very grand of them to do that. But I'm really excited because there's girls that are, like, over 30 that are just so fierce.

[Victoria Ng]

I think it's the latter. I think it is. They realize that there's so many women out there who are past 30. But 30 is no longer the prime.

[Lisa Opie]

No.

[Victoria Ng]

Now that I've. I'm past 30, I've realized so much about myself that I so. So many things. I don't care anymore. I don't care what other people think. I focus on just improving myself. And so that sense of, like, release is. Is something that you could only get at 30. And I think 30 is. That's why 30 is no longer the new pro, the prime. And Now Society and Ms. Grant USA and the Ms. Grand system as a whole is recognizing that.

[Lisa Opie]

I'm so happy to see that because I'm 34 and I'm, like, struggling with my age. Like, my birthday, I was like, oh, my gosh. Like this. There's no way, you know, but to see, like, people embracing it is helping me. So even just grand, like, raising the age limit and knowing I could still compete if I wanted to make me so happy.

[Victoria Ng]

You should do it. You should do it.

[Lisa Opie]

I'm not too shy.

[Victoria Ng]

I totally see you in it.

[Lisa Opie]

No, I'm just here to, like, support all of you guys and make you all shine. So speaking of grand, how is your prep going?

[Victoria Ng]

So I just started a few weeks ago. I just got accepted a few weeks ago, and it's been wild because I'm pushing myself in so many different directions, which I love. I love that Ms. Grand is all about business, and so sponsors. I want to express myself more on social media, create more content, be more creative, and that's where I've been stretching myself the most. But otherwise, in terms of my stage presence, obviously, grand is so different from the USA in the best way, in the best way possible, because I want all the theatrics. I want all the fun moves, the hips, the. The sexy. And I'm bringing that. I'm so bringing that.

[Lisa Opie]

So you're working with a coach now?

[Victoria Ng]

I am. I'm working with a coach. So shout out to. Can I say yeah, of course. PR Pageant coaches. And Jules and her team has been amazing. And Angel Reyes is helping me with my choreography. She is bringing out the sexy in me, and I cannot wait to show it on the stage.

[Lisa Opie]

Oh, my gosh. That's so, so fun. What are some things that, like, you've learned from Jules and her team? And, like, what are you. Like, you don't have to share too much, because I know some of it's like, you know, confidential. But what's something that, like, you really were like, okay, wow, this is, like, such a big difference between USA and Grand.

[Victoria Ng]

Honestly, it. It seems like it's such a, I guess, a simple thing, but it really matters, which is likability. Jules will say, say over and over again, like, you don't have to impress them with the most deep or accolade heavy resume. You don't need to hit all the points in interview. You just need to be a likable, genuine person. And for having done pageantry in so many years and experiencing different systems, having to, like, shape shift, if you will, in some sense, I feel like now taking that approach of just being myself. Yeah. And then also hitting 30. Hitting 30. And now being 32, I am recognizing deep within who I am and bringing that out. And she and her team really helped me do that.

[Lisa Opie]

Oh, my God.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

I love that so much. I can't wait for Nationals. Oh, my gosh. And honestly, like, I think Jules is doing an amazing job because, like, I like you. You walked in the room, and I feel like even before we said hi, I was like, I like her.

[Victoria Ng]

Oh, thank you.

[Lisa Opie]

So your energy is amazing, and it's all about staying true to yourself, for sure.

[Victoria Ng]

Thank you.

[Lisa Opie]

So, Vegas.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

We cannot wait. What are you, like, looking forward to the most? Because I know it's a long pageant. They have, like, the pitch proposal. They obviously have the gown, the interview, all the things. Right. Swimsuit. What are you the most excited about?

[Victoria Ng]

Okay, so In Ms. Illinois, USA, I've worn the same gown twice already, and I'm going to wear this gown again, but I. I cannot imagine a better stage for it because it is just the most sexy and beautiful that I feel. And the moves that that angel is helping me integrate into the whole routine.

[Lisa Opie]

I need to see this dress.

[Victoria Ng]

Oh, my goodness. Oh, well, everyone will see it soon. But you've seen it. We shot with it. That is the guy. Oh, you shot in it. Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

Oh, that's so pretty. Thank you. Oh, my gosh. You're going to work it.

[Victoria Ng]

And. And with your makeup and hair.

[Lisa Opie]

Yes.

[Victoria Ng]

And then the body glow. I mean, I know there's everything. It's everything.

[Lisa Opie]

And that color on you.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

Okay.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

I'm so happy. I was, like, freaking out when I saw you in that dress, and I'm, like, so happy I get to see it again.

[Victoria Ng]

Thank you. But, yes, that is. That is the gown. I want it. I feel like she. I call her she. She was meant to just Be on the grand stage.

[Lisa Opie]

Yes. 100. Oh, I can't wait to see you work.

[Victoria Ng]

Thank you.

[Lisa Opie]

So speaking of business, like with the pitch proposal and everything.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

You might launch a small business, so I want to hear all about it. I know you brought it up a little bit in Glam, but I want to hear everything.

[Victoria Ng]

Okay. So I've never start officially started a business before, but I've run a nonprofit for the past five years, Chicago Asian Women Empowerment. It's all about creating a space where women can be themselves, tap into their strengths, and give back to the community. So I've always tried to, through that, figure out what women are really looking for in terms of building community. And one of the ways, especially for minority women, is tapping into our long history of like, the generational history of the women that came before us. And so what I want to build, and as a software engineer, I am a unique position, if you will, where I kind of have insights into what the back end might look like. I'll work with a front end engineer to build an app where women can share their stories with the women of their lives, whether that be their mother, their grandmother. And it's going to be like a daily prompt.

[Lisa Opie]

Yeah, I love that.

[Victoria Ng]

So you know how like, sometimes there'll be those journals where you kind of like write down everything about your family, traditions, stuff like that. It's going to be that, but in a mobile form and an app. And then there's going to be voice memos so you can, you know, talk with your grandma and say, hey, can you tell me a story about xyz?

[Lisa Opie]

Love that so much. Oh, my gosh. And as a business person, I have to ask, how are you going to monetize that?

[Victoria Ng]

Yes, that is the difficult part. I think that it's about building community. And just like with a lot of yoga studios, for example, you want to keep coming back to the same people that you love learning from and the same people you love learning with. And so the same thing is with this community. I think there's so many traditions that we share across cultures that. Oh, yeah, through just like sharing in a forum on, through this app, more women will be like, oh, actually, like, my grandma's experience was so similar to that. How, like, how can we, how can we, like, you know, chat and learn more and grow in terms of intercultural understanding? And so if everyone can pitch in on their own part through a subscription fee, I think that's one of the best ways that this community can grow sustainably.

[Lisa Opie]

Wait. And I feel like at the end of the day, like the big picture is world peace so pageant y. But I'm like, wait, this is going to lead to world peace? Because if we all just understood each other and where we came from, there will be world peace.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes, I hope so.

[Lisa Opie]

I really, I love that so much. Is there any experience that inspired this idea for you?

[Victoria Ng]

Yes. You know, for the longest time my mom has been telling me all these stories about the past and being the bad daughter that I am.

[Lisa Opie]

You are not.

[Victoria Ng]

Thank you. I would sometimes brush it off and what I've realized is as more unfortunately as more family members, you know, pass on those stories, get lost. And I, it, it's really hit me deeply in the last few years when people really close to me have left not just family, but also people that I treated as family. And so to have the chance to build something that addresses that kind of void I felt and at the same time makes it sustainable for women like myself, I think that's where it came from.

[Lisa Opie]

That's brilliant. Wow. And what stage are you in this process right now?

[Victoria Ng]

I am in early stages, investigating with a few people. I'm kind of getting ideas about what it could look like specifically, but the idea is definitely there.

[Lisa Opie]

I love that. And you have a background in engineering, so do you think you're going to be able to do a lot of it yourself? Are you going to have to hire help? Like are you going to need investors or.

[Victoria Ng]

Yeah, I think the capital for this might be a bit low, which is good. But because I think I will be able to do a lot of it myself and I really want to extra like, you know, stretch those skills as well because I haven't done as much front end and usually do a lot of back end and healthcare analytics software. So now to be able to switch switch gears not just in terms of industry, but then also in terms of area of focus and engineering is going to be exciting for me.

[Lisa Opie]

Oh, that's so cool. And then with your pageantry experience and like your charisma and everything, you're just like the whole package. I think it's going to be amazing. There's no way you're going to fail.

[Victoria Ng]

Thank you so much.

[Lisa Opie]

I love that. Okay, so speaking of engineering, let's talk about your career because that's really interesting, like everything that you're doing and you're so smart and you told me and glam how you got into it. But go ahead and share with our audience how you got into engineering.

[Victoria Ng]

Yeah, it was definitely not a traditional route for the longest time I was in nonprofits, and then I eventually moved into. Into tech, but not into engineering. And I built the soft and hard skills that I needed. And finally I was like, you know, I think I can do this. As long as I believe in myself, I can do anything. And so I quit my job. It was a big risk, but I quit my job. I did a data science boot camp, and then eventually now I'm a senior software engineer.

[Lisa Opie]

So just with data science bootcamp.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

How long was the program?

[Victoria Ng]

The program was three months. Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

And there's people out there that are going to like, engineering school and like MIT and stuff.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes. I'm so grateful because I entered the field at the perfect time.

[Lisa Opie]

Wow. And you're a fast learner.

[Victoria Ng]

Thank you. Yes. I try to soak everything in like a sponge and then keep analyzing in my head how to improve.

[Lisa Opie]

So I know engineering is a very male dominated field. Right. What is it like being a female working in that industry?

[Victoria Ng]

Honestly, I find myself so many times in spaces and literal, figurative. Literal and figurative spaces where I'm the only woman and possibly I'm also the only person of color. And on top of that, I might even be the youngest person. And that's actually the case right now with my team. And it can be challenging sometimes not to say that anyone on my team is particularly not understanding, but rather there's just always going to be like, cultural differences and things that I. That if someone were of a person of color or a woman might be able to better understand. And. And so I always have to kind of figure out ways to express myself in a way that's authentic to myself, but at the same time asserts authority and creates space for myself in spaces where they may not exist.

[Lisa Opie]

What was it like when you were first starting out, before you realized that that was the approach to take? Did you have any challenges that you had to overcome?

[Victoria Ng]

Yes. And honestly, I got so lucky with this particular job that I'm at right now, because when I first started, I had a female mentor older than me, who just. And she's Asian, and she really put me first. She would always advocate for me in spaces. And it was really difficult when she left. So I think that was probably the big, biggest, pivotal moment for me because for the longest time I leaned on her to be my advocate. And I know that, that, you know, I should be my. My advocate, but I, I kind of, you know, almost in a sense, just took her for granted. And when she left, that's when I realized, you know, there's There's a lot of moments where I have to really go the extra mile to advocate for myself in order to even have like the same or equal treatment.

[Lisa Opie]

That's crazy. I, this is my favorite quote because I said it myself, but I feel like as women, we have to work 10 times harder for like half the credit.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

So, like your job is actually harder because if you were like a white guy, you would probably just have the easiest job. And it's so fun. But now I want to ask you, I know there's a lot of disadvantages being a female in a male dominated field, but are there any advantages there?

[Victoria Ng]

There are a few. I would say one of the few is that because I am, I guess, the poster child of being a female and being a person of color, that sometimes, you know, they're in, in those rooms when they want to have a person to give a unique perspective. I can do that. And also sometimes on the bad side, though, I've been at a company where literally on the website, as the banner they had, they, they didn't even tell us the context. They just said all. They had all of the people of color come into the room and say, oh, we're just going to have this random meeting. We didn't know what it was about. They took up, they had them, us, all people of color, sit next to each other, took a picture and then use it as a banner on the website. Right? Yes, yes, yes. And even after all of us left, and for various reasons, some because, you know, there's just this, that was not a good space for people of color, others, you know, found better opportunities. Good for them. But even after all of us left, they still use that banner.

[Lisa Opie]

It's just icky because it's almost like, am I here because of my merit or am I here for diversity?

[Victoria Ng]

Yes. And I, and I constantly have to grapple with that. Like, what, what do they really see in me? Is it that or is it the fact that I am a really hard worker, I bring a lot of skills, I bring a lot of knowledge from various industries that make me a really unique and special engineer for reasons other than the fact that I'm a woman and a woman of color.

[Lisa Opie]

Wow. So what do you think? Could, what could the world do to me or the U.S. right, the United States? What can we do to make it easier for girls?

[Victoria Ng]

Like, honestly, we need, I think we need more diversity, equity and inclusion, but in a way that actually honors our identity. I think a lot of companies do it just for greenwashing. Honestly, they'll just say, you know, we have such a division, but then the people who are involved or people who are recruited for those departments oftentimes aren't even paid a salary for that work. Yeah, they have their own job. And then they're expected to voluntarily or in their extra, extra time, do the DEI work for the company. And I'm like, no, that's. That's a role in. Of itself. It's labor and it should be paid.

[Lisa Opie]

Oh, my gosh.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

I wasn't even aware of this.

[Victoria Ng]

That's crazy. It's wild. And so we need more accountability from corporations when they say that they're stepping up to the plate in terms of diversity, equity, inclusion, in terms of other areas of inclusion, they need to be held accountable for it.

[Lisa Opie]

Wow.

[Victoria Ng]

Yeah, I love that.

[Lisa Opie]

And I know with your business, you're gonna be like the example, right?

[Victoria Ng]

Leading by example. Absolutely.

[Lisa Opie]

So excited for that. And in your bio, you also said that you are making artificial intelligence education more accessible. I'm one of the people that need more education on how to use AI. I love AI, but I'm like, how can I really use this to my business advantage? So tell me about what inspired you to make that one of your platforms.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes. So I noticed that a lot of people are sharing a lot of their personal information on AI, thinking that it's completely safe or that, you know, it's shielded from the general Internet. But anything. And I've been there too, I am guilty of it. And so anything that you put out there, even through like ChatGPT, for example, could eventually go back to the system in ways that maybe you don't expect, expect. Not necessarily that someone's like, monitoring it all the time or that's going to be quote, unquote, hacked, but rather our.

[Lisa Opie]

ChatGPT conversations are private. Like, that's personal.

[Victoria Ng]

And you would think. Yeah, you would think. And I think it's just that there's so many. There's not enough laws, legislation that truly protects consumers when it comes to using services like that. And so once that keeps up, then it'll be much safer space to, you know, share whatever you want to share. But for now, I think the main thing that I want to educate people on is just safety, is, you know, maintaining your own privacy. Whatever's an AI could possibly stay there forever.

[Lisa Opie]

And what brought that to your attention?

[Victoria Ng]

I think just looking at the. Just working with a lot of younger people and through my nonprofit and otherwise, I've noticed that they. Anything, whether it's like a personal thing or A work thing. They'll just look it up and they don't. They don't. They'll submit pictures and videos, not checking if there's anything that may be private, like perhaps like a bill is in the back of the shot or something. Or they're sharing a lot of personal identifying information that could then be cycled into, you know, the system. And I think, I think once we have, once AI is less of a black box and there's a lot more support for people's use, for people using it. I think that is when we could have more converse, like literal and figurative conversations with AI.

[Lisa Opie]

Oh, that's so scary because I'm like, it's just a robot, you know, like, I'm never going to see this conversation again. So I'm just sharing all my personal information, personal stories, like, what do I do in this situation? All of it. Like my chatgpt knows everything about me and photos. You're like, oh God.

[Victoria Ng]

But I used to do that too. Yeah, yeah.

[Lisa Opie]

So what made you realize this was an issue? You.

[Victoria Ng]

I think it's, I think it's learning more as I grow as an engineer. I'm, I'm just constantly reading up on, on AI because a lot of companies are forcing us to use AI in the workplace as well. And I'm seeing that when you feed the ChatGPT, it's starting to learn a lot more about you. And suddenly if you feed it secure credentials, and then you're like, so for example, right? If I need to hit a website to receive information and then it's like it's asking you for the token, the temporary token or a temporary password, for example, and then I do another search, ask ChatGPT another search. Sometimes that token will return, be returned back to me. Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

And you're like, oh my God, it knows too much.

[Victoria Ng]

It knows too much.

[Lisa Opie]

Wow.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

So other than like, you know, protecting our privacy, what can we do to like educate people on like the potential downside of AI? Because I don't think a lot of people are paying attention to that.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes. I think the first, first things first is if you want to ask ChatGPT anything, maybe obscure the information. So if you're going to say like, theoretically, I want to, I want to like log into this thing and I need help, or for example, don't provide the actual password. Provide like a temp, like made up password. Yeah, yeah, obscure whatever you're trying to provide in a way that it still provides you helpful information, but you're not giving directly what the Actual information is.

[Lisa Opie]

Wow.

[Victoria Ng]

Yeah.

[Lisa Opie]

Okay, random question, but my add, like, it just popped in my head. A light bulb went off. What, like, what do you think is like the end game for AI? Like, what's the future here? What are we looking at long term?

[Victoria Ng]

Ooh, okay. I think a lot of, A lot of the trend has been going toward AI being more talkative. It's trying to have a conversation with you rather than you treating it almost like a robot. You want to treat it as a friend. And I think as AI starts developing in that direction, that means there's going to be AI integrated into more products, not just like through a computer or through your phone, but even like your watches. And also, like, now we know that there's smart refrigerators and other appliances that are constantly listening. And what that means is they're going to integrate your interlife even more, make your life supposedly more convenient. And that convenience, again, always comes with a price, so just be careful. But at the same time, what in engineering specifically, I think there's been a lot of talk about AI potentially replacing engineers. I'd like to think, and I do truly believe that they're not. Because at the end of the day, it's still, people need to understand people, people understand other people's problems. And as much as AI can automate things that are more mundane, it's still, at the end of the day, we need to feed it whatever we actually need in return. Like, if you don't give it a good prompt, you're not going to. Not going to get a good response, if that makes sense.

[Lisa Opie]

Yeah, no, totally. So I guess, like, the important thing now is to just like you, we're doing, educate people on how to use AI properly and to the best way, but also educate them on the dangers. So.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes, exactly.

[Lisa Opie]

I love what you're doing. Thank you. You're so cool.

[Victoria Ng]

Thank you. You are too.

[Lisa Opie]

And I forgot you're a pageant girl. Oh, yeah, that too. So let's talk about aligning with the four Bs of Ms. Grand. So you obviously have the beauty, brain, body business. How does that play out in your every day to day life? And how do you embody them beyond the crown?

[Victoria Ng]

Oh, okay. So this one's the most challenging question so far because I'm so new to the grand system, but I'd say for beauty is I'm constantly upping my game in terms of makeup. I mean, I came to you today.

[Lisa Opie]

And I love your baby.

[Victoria Ng]

Look at me.

[Lisa Opie]

But you made it so easy. I feel like I just put on lashes. And that's it.

[Victoria Ng]

Oh, no. I mean, she did so much work. And my goodness, I transformed.

[Lisa Opie]

Oh, my gosh.

[Victoria Ng]

Thank you. So leaning into the ways that I could transform form and working with professionals like yourself, who know an Asian face who will work with what I want to work on. Beauty, and also just radiating interior beauty externally. I'm constantly trying to listen to people first before I speak. I'm trying to understand people in the deepest way possible so that I can. I can share myself more authentically as well. That's beauty, Bodi. I love all different types of workouts. You will see me doing hot yoga, doing floor pilates, doing resistance training, cardio, the whole gambit. And I think that just that holistic body regimen, if you will, keeps me really also sound in the mind. And so. Brains. Yeah, brains. Because not just because I'm a software engineer, but because I have all of the experience outside of software engineering as well. It makes me a multifaceted engineer, and it makes me a multifaceted pageant woman as well, because I bring a lot to the table. I think that the skills that I learned from nonprofits help me better understand interpersonal relationships with people, communicating with people of all different backgrounds. And then in tech side, it's communicating with technology in ways that could expand my reach, especially with social media. And that comes to business.

[Lisa Opie]

Yeah, yeah. And so Ms. Grant has that, like, pitch challenge, right?

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

Did that help inspire your business, or did you want to do it before?

[Victoria Ng]

It helped make me think about what I want from my business even more deeply.

[Lisa Opie]

I love that.

[Victoria Ng]

I've always wanted to do something that would empower other women. And actually, more recently, watching this TV show that I. I love. When life gives you tangerines, that is you. If you haven't seen it, what platform is it on? It is on Netflix.

[Lisa Opie]

Okay, easy.

[Victoria Ng]

Perfect. When life gives you tangerines is all about intergenerational trauma through the women of this one family set in historical Korea in.

[Lisa Opie]

Is it a K drama?

[Victoria Ng]

It is a K drama.

[Lisa Opie]

Okay. It might be my first K drama. I'm going to get into it.

[Victoria Ng]

Okay, well, let me know how it goes. And I am a K drama, girly, I will admit. But this one was extra special because it hits so deep with the ways in which it layered in the generational trauma, plus the drama of trauma of being a woman and being a woman in a country where a lot of women were not respected and even up till this day, are still not very much respected. And I mean in all countries, too. Not Just Korea. But it really made me think about what it. If those stories were lost, what would happen? You know, how would we be able to continue to grow if we never got to maintain those stories? And, you know, indigenous cultures, it's all about sharing stories verbally and in other cultures is about writing it down. How can we maintain that in the modern age? And I think that was the way that I came up with.

[Lisa Opie]

I love that, and I love that. Grand is just, like, giving you that little push, you know?

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

Turn it into a reality.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

That's so awesome. And I feel like a lot of us, like, I don't even know my great grandma's story. Maybe my grandma's, and then that's it.

[Victoria Ng]

So same, right? Yeah.

[Lisa Opie]

We really need to tap into that and, like, preserve our stories, Right? Yeah. Set something up for the future, like, down the road, because we're going to be the great grandma one day. I want my story to be on your app.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes. Thank you.

[Lisa Opie]

Forget. And you're also. You have a nonprofit. I think you have multiple. But the one I really want to talk about is Chicago Asian Women Empowerment. And how did that teach you leadership?

[Victoria Ng]

It is tough. And I'm still, to this day learning so much from the woman that I worked with. And I'm going to be honest, right now we're on a hiatus because I've had to really rethink what woman empowerment looks like for communities of color and for the Asian community here. And what I realized is that there's so many different areas of exploration that I haven't discovered. But for the past five years, the women have grown tremendously through our fashion show, which is Asian Fashion Show Chicago.

[Lisa Opie]

Love that.

[Victoria Ng]

Thank you. Through our pageant, Miss Asian Chicago, formerly Miss Chinese Chicago.

[Lisa Opie]

And wait, do you produce that pageant yourself?

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

What?

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

You're insane. I love everything I'm learning about you. Okay. Keep going. I want more surprises.

[Victoria Ng]

Thank you. And through our Women Empowerment series, where the women of our organization get to speak about a topic that they're passionate about. And it ranges from conducting orchestra conducting, to working out in a office setting. Yeah. And what I've realized through all these years is there's no one way to empower women, but it changes over time. When I first started the. The industry was ripe for it, especially in our community. And I really wanted. And I just didn't even think twice. You know, I just thought, I got to do something right now. And this is. And I started with the pageant.

[Lisa Opie]

Wow. When was this?

[Victoria Ng]

It was back in 2018.

[Lisa Opie]

Wow. So you've been doing it for a while?

[Victoria Ng]

For a while. And every year I've gradually grown the pageant, the number of contestants, the amount of training that I'm able to provide, the type of training. So I've also taught API, history, feminism, current events, in addition to the walking and posing that's more typical of pageantry. And what I realized through these years is the needs of the women who come through my doors have gradually changed. Before, it used to be more about women in their mid-20s who are trying to explore their identity and trying to get back into their community, especially the Asian community. But now what I'm realizing, especially after the pandemic. Oh my goodness. And the rising costs of college, the fact that the job market is horrendous right now, is that women empowerment probably looks more like job opportunities, internships, ways in which we can get them involved in the job market. And so that's why we're on a hiatus, because I'm really trying to restructure the organization in a way that meets the needs of the woman that I'm now trying to serve.

[Lisa Opie]

Wow, I love that. And what's next for you?

[Victoria Ng]

What's next for me? Well, other than my business and of course, Ms. Grand USA.

[Lisa Opie]

Sorry, I meant for the nonprofit.

[Victoria Ng]

Oh, for the nonprofit.

[Lisa Opie]

But yeah, there's a lot going on. That was a big question.

[Victoria Ng]

Yeah, I appreciate it. Thank you. For the non profit, I would say right now I want to gather more information from the woman I want to serve. I really want to directly ask them, what are you truly looking for? And maybe my understanding of empowerment in this day and age is different. And then that's what I need to start building in terms of programming. And it may be that whatever we were doing worked fine and we just needed a break or we just needed to market it differently. But it may be a completely different organization next year. We'll see.

[Lisa Opie]

Wow. Follow up question. Because it's all over my tick tock right now. And maybe it's. I don't know why it's like that. Maybe it's because I live in Miami. But like, trad wives are like the thing right now, right? They're like, girl bossing is out, you know, like being a kept woman and being taken care of and finding a provider. Man is everything. What do you have to say to people that feel that way?

[Victoria Ng]

I think everyone chooses their life. And you do you, girl, is what I always say. You do you. Because we all only have one life to live. And honestly, so many, so many of us have Such a different experience growing up. Who am I to judge? Yeah, who am I to judge and say, you know, what they should or shouldn't do with their life? But whoever comes to me and comes through my non profit, I want to work with them to figure out what they want to accomplish. And that can mean very different things. Like, some of them literally just want to be better and walking in heels, and others of them want to find a community of women who look and feel like them. And some of them may eventually want to. And I know many of the women who have come through my nonprofit want to start a family and. Or want to travel the world with their partner. And good for them.

[Lisa Opie]

Yeah. Yeah, I love that. And I love being a girl, because you can do all of it.

[Victoria Ng]

You can do it all. You can do it all.

[Lisa Opie]

Yeah. Okay, so you are, like, stunning, successful, smart, the whole package. Right. And like, I have to say, me and my friends, we find that we're less desirable to men because we're more successful, and they need that. So what is dating like for you?

[Victoria Ng]

Well, I actually have a partner.

[Lisa Opie]

Okay, good for you. So you don't have to worry about that. Okay, next.

[Victoria Ng]

No, but I. I think it. Even in a relationship, it is a constant improvement of oneself. You have to keep reflecting because we're always growing and learning. There's the. The Victoria from even last year, let alone five years ago, is totally different than the Victoria of today. And what does that mean in terms of what I bring to the relationship and how we can potentially grow together? Those are the things that I'm always considering.

[Lisa Opie]

Love that. So before we get into the this or that portion of the show and wrap it up, is there anything else you want to share with our audience? Anything else you want to talk about?

[Victoria Ng]

I. I honestly just want to say how great it has been to get to know you more, because I. You are truly an inspiration with the way that you started your business.

[Lisa Opie]

Don't make me cry.

[Victoria Ng]

For real. For real. And you've kept it so real with me every time I've asked you a question. Like, you've been so genuine in sharing your experiences with me, and I really appreciate that. And I'm learning so much from you.

[Lisa Opie]

And I'm learning so much from you, and I feel like we built like a botan today. I love it when I become, like, friends with my clients. Okay, so these are that. Super fun. The first one is traditional dress or evening gown?

[Victoria Ng]

Ooh, traditional dress.

[Lisa Opie]

I love that. When's the last time you wore one?

[Victoria Ng]

Ooh, probably like three months ago, I gave a speech in it.

[Lisa Opie]

Oh my gosh. For what?

[Victoria Ng]

So at north in Northbrook, where I currently live, they have a cultural fair every year. And then after the cultural fair, they reached out to me and they say, hey, you know, we're doing a lot of DEI work in our community and we want someone to speak about the. Since you've been to the cultural fair, I volunteered through my nonprofit. I did kids face painting. And they were like, yeah, one of my favorite hobbies. They're so cute. But anyway, they basically wanted me to give a speech about what they're doing in our community for people of color. And I gave the speech showing up in my teapow, which is a traditional Chinese outfit.

[Lisa Opie]

Oh, I love that. Oh my gosh. And face painting. I feel like I do that. But like, for girl, like older women, I mean, clearly. Right?

[Victoria Ng]

Clearly.

[Lisa Opie]

What is it like working with kids?

[Victoria Ng]

They're so cute. They're so cute. And I, I think the, the most honestly, because they're just so fresh and they, they don't have anything, you know, they don't have a front that they're trying to give that you just, you just get to see the most genuine personalities come out. Whether that be them literally telling you, I hate this. Can you redo? Happens. It happens. Or they'll tell you multiple times, can you adjust this or that?

[Lisa Opie]

Oh, they get picky.

[Victoria Ng]

They do. But some of them are like, oh my God, I love it. And they're so cute. Either way. Any way that they bring to the table, they're just being them. And that's just cute.

[Lisa Opie]

I love that. Lucky you that you get to work with kids like that on stage. Confidence or behind the scenes advocacy.

[Victoria Ng]

Behind the scenes advocacy. 100. I know, I know. I'm in the grand system, so don't bite me for it. But advocacy in terms of self sustaining for women, I think women empowerment, whether that be in business or non profits, advocacy matters.

[Lisa Opie]

100. I couldn't agree with you more. Coding in Python or speaking Mandarin? I don't know what Python is.

[Victoria Ng]

Ooh. So Python's one of my favorite computer languages and it's so versatile. That is a hard choice because as an engineer, I'd love to say Python, but speaking in Mandarin because I could connect with my community.

[Lisa Opie]

Love that. Oh my gosh. And you speak Cantonese too?

[Victoria Ng]

Yes, and I speak Cantonese.

[Lisa Opie]

Data visualization or public speaking?

[Victoria Ng]

Public speaking. That's why I'm in pageants.

[Lisa Opie]

Yeah.

[Victoria Ng]

Yeah. That's why.

[Lisa Opie]

Problem solver or people connector?

[Victoria Ng]

People Connector.

[Lisa Opie]

Love that. Build it yourself or collaborate to grow.

[Victoria Ng]

That's a tough one.

[Lisa Opie]

It is.

[Victoria Ng]

It's a tough one. I think starting out. Can I, can I say starting out, building it myself and then collaborating? Because I, I want to get that initial idea just on paper, like a draft or something, and then bring people in so that we could start like building on that idea.

[Lisa Opie]

You're such an entrepreneur, it's crazy. Impact through AI or impact through community?

[Victoria Ng]

Impact through community, Hands down.

[Lisa Opie]

Yeah, I feel like I knew the answer before I read that one. Starting from scratch or reimagining what exists.

[Victoria Ng]

Reimagining what exists. I have a little bit of a story to say for that one. So working with a woman through my nonprofit, we have to come up with a platform for each of the contestants of the pageant. And a lot of them want to reinvent the wheel completely. And I say, you know, since you're working with a community, with people who have needs already, reach out to them and figure out what they're actually looking for. How can you truly help them rather than thinking on your own what you want to do to help them? If that makes sense.

[Lisa Opie]

Oh, 100%. Wow. Do you have an example of one that stands out to you?

[Victoria Ng]

Yes. So a lot of the women want to build their own non profit, but I know a lot of non profits in, right here in our community. And so one in particular. And actually she's doing a pageant very soon. Shout out to Alice, Alice Yu. She wanted to invest more in terms of the community, but she's a doctor. And so she was like, how can I kind of bridge that gap? Because what, what is the community looking like? Do I really need to start a clinic? And I'm like, no, no, don't start a clinic. Right. But maybe you could work. And also she's a pediatrician specifically. Yeah. And she loves working with the kids. I mean, that's why she chose an area of, of healthcare. And so I said, why don't you, why don't I part, you know, you with a nonprofit that works with kids already. And then you could see what they're looking for. And what we found out is that the parents of those kids are actually pretty involved in the non profit and they wanted to learn more about mental health and how they could bridge the gap in terms of like the mental health stigma, especially in the Asian community. So she actually worked with her school and her hospital system to come up with a program, a mini program where they would teach and also have language translation to teach, teach these parents how to have conversations with kids about mental health.

[Lisa Opie]

Wow.

[Victoria Ng]

Yes.

[Lisa Opie]

I love that.

[Victoria Ng]

I loved it too.

[Lisa Opie]

That's such a good story.

[Victoria Ng]

Thank you. I mean, it's all. All due credit to Alice. She did the work.

[Lisa Opie]

No, but that's amazing. And, like, I could talk to you about these stories all day.

[Victoria Ng]

Thank you.

[Lisa Opie]

Wait. Okay. Beauty or brains?

[Victoria Ng]

Brains.

[Lisa Opie]

Body or business?

[Victoria Ng]

Business.

[Lisa Opie]

Or body? I'd be like, get out now. It's important. Oh, that was the next question.

[Victoria Ng]

All right, all right.

[Lisa Opie]

So that's it. We are done. Where can we keep up with your journey to the crown?

[Victoria Ng]

So if you follow Ms. Official, Ms. Grand Michigan, or my handle, Victoria Mercedes Ing, on Instagram, that's where I'm most active. Please support. I'm trying really hard to be super creative with my post.

[Lisa Opie]

They're so cute. I love following you. Your content is adorable. I love it. It's so fun. You're doing amazing.

[Victoria Ng]

Thank you so much. And you're doing amazing.

[Lisa Opie]

Thank you. I'm doing my best. I'm still new here.

[Victoria Ng]

Please, girl. Thank you.

[Lisa Opie]

Of course. Thank you for coming on.

[Victoria Ng]

Thank you for having me.