What do you get when you mix a fashionista, entrepreneur and a lawyer?  You get super attorney and fashion designer Cheslie Kryst!  Read on to learn about her life as attorney and how she can help you take the “work” out of work wear with her website WhiteCollarGlam.com !

1. Why did you choose your profession?

I was always negotiating on behalf of my siblings when we grew up. If we broke a window in the house or got in trouble, I was always the one who would make the call to mom to explain what happened and to discuss punishment. I considered other careers while I was growing up, but being an attorney is the one that feels most natural to me.

2. What is the favorite part of your job?

Winning. I like advocating for our clients and getting them the outcome that they need.

3. What is the most difficult part of your job?

Anxiety and fear of failure or mistakes. It’s my job to represent and advocate for others. I don’t want to mess that up for someone who put their faith and trust in me.

4. Who is your mentor (if any)?

I have several, but my mom is the one I talk to the most. She owns her own human resources consulting firm that she built from the ground up. I remember watching her spend long nights in our home office and it was inspiring and motivating. I trust and rely on her advice.

5. Best piece of advice for someone pursuing your field?

Make sure you love it. Being an attorney isn’t for people who just want to make money. You have to go through too much school and endure too much stress to be in this profession just for the money. There has to be something about it that you love.

6. If you have not chosen this profession would have you chosen instead?

Director of Marketing for a company. I loved earning my MBA at Wake Forest and it opened my eyes to the possibility of careers other than being an attorney. I enjoyed learning about marketing and always looked forward to my marketing classes.

7. Favorite designer?

Christian Siriano. He makes fantastic clothing for women of all ages, shapes, sizes, and races.

8. Favorite makeup brand?

MAC. I used to compete in pageants and fell in love with the brand because of the excellent choices they had for stage makeup.

9. Favorite hair care?

Shea Moisture. They have a lot of different lines of shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in conditioner and I love everything I’ve tried!

10. Favorite skin brand?

I only use Neutrogena’s Deep Clean Cream Cleanser. I don’t use any other face washes or creams.

11. If you could only choose 5 items to put in your purse everyday, what would they be?

Wallet, business card holder, chapstick, notebook, and pen.

12. Free plug:)– Anything you would like our readers to know that you are supporting, selling or creating?

I run WhiteCollarGlam.com, a fashion blog for workwear.  I’m planning a guide on where to find the perfect suit and I’ll be publishing it for free for all my readers in the next few weeks!

Education (Schools Attended) BSBA – Honors College at the University of South Carolina; JD – Wake Forest University School of Law; MBA – Wake Forest University School of Business

Certifications or Licenses? Licensed to practice law in North Carolina