Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is Krystle Ng-A-Mann, a corporate lawyer with a passion for food, fashion and travel. We caught up with the multi-hyphenate professional to find out what advice she would share with other young professionals and learn about her favourite places to wine and dine in the city…
WORK
1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
I am a corporate lawyer, foodie, fashionista, blogger/writer, content creator, amateur photographer, creative director, social media influencer, and world traveler.
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
I had always dreamt of becoming a lawyer since I was a young child (even though I didn’t know what it really meant back then). My parents instilled the importance of getting an education and a ‘good job’. Being a lawyer (like being a doctor), in my mind, fell into that category. Once that decision was made, I just worked towards that goal without ever looking back or thinking twice about my decision.
In terms of blogging, my passions were really my inspiration. I have always been passionate about food, fashion and travel, and I suppose the only thing holding me back from starting before was my fear of failing or being negatively judged.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
One of the most memorable milestones was the announcement of my blog on Instagram. It was Super Bowl Sunday and I wanted to post about starting my own blog that night, but my fiancé told me not to because people would be too distracted watching football. I decided to go ahead anyway, and that was the very first time any of my Instagram posts went ‘viral’ (I got over 1,000 likes on that photo, and prior to then, most of my pictures got around 300 likes). It was a real sign of encouragement for me.
Apart from that, graduating from law school, being called to the Bar, and having my family present with me at both of those events. The proud looks on their faces were truly priceless and something I’ll never forget.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
In the future, I hope to take my blog (and my own brand) to the next level. I hope to be able to continue doing what I’m passionate about and what makes me happy, while at the same time having work-life balance and having time for my loved ones.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Stay focused and work hard – nothing in life is for free. Stop talking about what you’re going to do, and do it. Be confident, but at the same time, stay humble. Don’t doubt yourself or be afraid, as these feelings will only hold you back from doing what you love or are meant to do. And lastly, don’t care too much about what other people think or let other people get in your head, because as a saying that really stuck with me goes, “Ships don’t sink because of the water around them. Ships sink because of the water that gets in them.”
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
Every year, I make a point of donating to a different charity, usually in support of my friends who are doing things like MS Walk, Ride for Heart etc. I try to give wherever possible.
7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Learning to say no. As a student-at-law, we were taught to never refuse work, and I suppose that mentality still lives on in me, as I still tend to want to take on all projects and commit to deadlines that may not be realistic, in an effort to please other people and exceed their expectations. I have also learned to say no to a lot of opportunities and invitations in the blogging world because I can’t (and shouldn’t) do everything. There is something to be said for being selective and not stretching yourself too thin, and I am still learning the art of tactfully declining.
8. What does the word notable mean to you?
“Notable” means being the type of person who sets personal and professional goals and achieves them. A notable person knows what he or she wants, works hard, and leads by example.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
That is one of the hardest questions you could ask a food blogger! I have so many favourites, including: La Cubana, Byblos, Patois, Sukhothai, Pai, Grand Electric, La Carnita, Carbon Bar, Portland Variety, Momofuku Daisho, and Thoroughbred Food & Drink.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
Most visited website is, hands-down, Google. If there is ever anything I don’t know, I want to find out right away.
One of my favourite songs of all time is Nightcrawlers – Push the Feeling On, and I love anything by MK (Marc Kinchen).
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
Me, jk! For fashion/travel/lifestyle, I’d have to say Leonie Hanne (@ohhcouture). Not only is she beautiful, but her style is impeccable and her travel photos are so effortlessly beautiful and whimsical. I also enjoy following @thefatjewish for a good laugh.
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
I am a proponent of travelling to new places. So, places I haven’t been to are more of a priority for me, like Mauritius, Seychelles, Greece, Montenegro, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Korea, and Australia. There are, however, some places I would always enjoy returning to, like Thailand, Bali, Ibiza, Croatia, Kuala Lumpur, Israel, and Turkey.
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
Seeing other influencers get certain opportunities that haven’t come to me. It really makes me wonder what those particular brands and PR companies are looking for, whether I am doing something wrong, or if I’m not doing enough to get noticed. On the other hand, I’ll sometimes get opportunities that others haven’t gotten, and I know at the end of the day we all offer something different. So, I can’t take it personally or let it deter me from continuing my work as an influencer and developing my own brand and unique voice.
6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
There are some junk foods that I cannot resist, like chips (Sweet Chili Heat Doritos, all-dressed Ruffles, and Barbecue), pizza and ice cream (not necessarily together). My fiancé and I also love watching The Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise.
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
I wish I didn’t spend so much money on food and drink, and I wish I invested more.
8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Success means being able to enjoy the fruits of your labour, not necessarily in the monetary sense. It means being rich in experiences and relationships.