Inspiring Conversations with Stefan Fagerholm of LifeHacksLA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stefan Fagerholm.

Hi Stefan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
When I first moved to Los Angeles over 15 years ago, I thought I knew the city pretty well. But once I started exploring beyond the surface — the neighborhoods, hidden food spots, cultural corners, and local legends — I realized there was an entirely different L.A. waiting to be discovered.

That curiosity became an obsession, and eventually a brand. I started sharing my adventures on Instagram as LifeHacksLA — at first, just for fun and to connect with others who loved the city like I did. Over time, what started as a weekend hobby evolved into a thriving community with hundreds of thousands of locals following along for the best things to do in and around Los Angeles.

As my audience grew, so did the opportunities. LifeHacksLA opened doors to exclusive media events, partnerships with iconic L.A. brands, and a network of amazing local creators. It also inspired me to apply my marketing background to something new — Let’s Hibachi, a private hibachi catering company that brings restaurant-level entertainment directly to people’s homes.

Today, I split my time between both brands: helping Angelenos discover the best experiences through LifeHacksLA, and creating unforgettable experiences through Let’s Hibachi, with a flagship location here in Los Angeles and also offering our service in 30 other cities. So far it’s been a wild, rewarding journey fueled by curiosity, creativity, and community.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road and even now there are daily challenges — but it’s absolutely worth it.

When I first started LifeHacksLA, it was just me posting every day for years with almost no engagement. I didn’t have a strategy or budget; just passion. The biggest challenge wasn’t algorithms or competition — it was staying consistent when nobody seemed to notice.

But I learned something valuable: momentum rewards persistence. Eventually, that same consistency built trust. People began to recognize LifeHacksLA as a genuine local voice, not a corporate account recycling content from afar.

That same lesson helped when building Let’s Hibachi. The company started with a handful of chefs in Los Angeles, and now we’ve expanded to dozens of cities nationwide. Growing a business like that requires grit — managing teams, logistics, city licenses, marketing, all while keeping the fun and personality that make it special.

The key through it all has been loving what I do. Both brands are rooted in sharing joy — whether that’s discovering the best hidden experiences in L.A. or literally bringing the party to someone’s backyard.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about LifeHacksLA?
LifeHacksLA is more than just a guide to Los Angeles — it’s a community of people who unapologetically love our city, our region and want to explore the never ending list of places to go and things to do.

What makes us unique is authenticity. Every post, article, and video comes from firsthand experience — we actually visit the places, meet the owners, and capture the vibe of each neighborhood. We’re not trying to be another generic travel site; we’re here to showcase the things we love about L.A. and Southern California.

We’ve now expanded beyond social media into a blog, email newsletter, video series, and live events. Through these, we’ve helped both locals and visitors uncover the hidden gems that make this city so special.

And on the business side, LifeHacksLA has become a launchpad for collaborations with amazing local brands — from wineries to museums to entertainment companies. It’s a full-circle ecosystem where everyone benefits: audiences discover new experiences, and local businesses gain exposure and loyal customers.

But honestly, the most rewarding part is still the community. Watching people form friendships, explore together, and share their own “L.A. Hacks” — that’s what keeps me excited to create every day.

What does success mean to you?
For me, success is about 2 things — freedom and impact.

Early on, I thought success meant hitting follower milestones or financial goals. But over time, I’ve realized it’s about building something meaningful that gives you the freedom to live life on your own terms — and positively impacts other people along the way.

With LifeHacksLA, success is knowing that something I share inspires someone to explore a new neighborhood, support a local business, or just fall a little more in love with Los Angeles.

With Let’s Hibachi, success is seeing the reactions of people at a party — laughing, connecting, and creating memories together. We’re not just serving food; we’re giving people a shared experience they’ll talk about for years.

So to me, success is when you do something your passion about and it turns into your purpose — when what you love doing creates value, joy, and opportunity for others while giving you the lifestyle and independence you dreamed about. That’s the ultimate win/win.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lifehacksla.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehacksla
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@letshibachi
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lets-hibachi-california-hacienda-heights-5

Image Credits
All pictures owned by Stefan Fagerholm