Creating Unforgettable Memories

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverages but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Stefan Fagerholm, Partner of Let's Hibachi, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I'm a partner in a company called 'Let's Hibachi'. We are a Hibachi catering company that comes to your home and throws an interactive dinner and show experience that's a fun time for you and all your guests. All our chefs are highly trained and experienced in teppanyaki and really know how to put on a show that involves everyone.

Of course, our food is high quality and delicious, but we are most proud of the feedback we get from customers about how much fun they had. From 8 to 80 it does not matter the age everyone gets involved and has a good time at our Let's Hibachi experiences.

Our customers are mostly people looking to host a fun event with family and friends where they can get everyone involved and not have to worry about feeding and entertaining them as we take care of all that. We mostly host birthday parties, bachelorette parties, graduations, and kid-friendly events, but our chefs are extremely adaptable and can tailor the presentation and experience based on the party.

Tell us about yourself

I have a marketing background, and many years ago started an Instagram account and blog called LifeHacksLA, where we share the best of Los Angeles. Now at over 155k followers, it has allowed me the opportunity to meet many local businesses. Let's Hibachi had been doing well in Texas but was new to Los Angeles, and I connected with them through their interest in advertising on my LifeHacksLA platform.

After experiencing Let's Hibachi me at a party with family, I fell in love with it. I knew I could help them grow in Los Angeles and beyond, so I practically begged them to let me invest and partner with them. After a trial period where I helped them quadruple their Los Angeles bookings, I became a partner, and we have now expanded into about eight more additional cities with big plans in 2023 to be in many more.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I think in relation to Let's Hibachi and my LifeHacksLA brand, just making big promises to people and then consistently doing everything in my power to over-deliver on them. I think we are all wondering if we can make it happen, but once you make that commitment, it's time to stop making excuses and just go all out on accomplishing what you said you would.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things about being a business owner is just the sheer number of responsibilities and decisions that you have to make. As an employee, you can just be really, really good at a few things and would likely be good. But as an entrepreneur, you have to be involved in all aspects of your business, which at times can be overwhelming. I think the best way to deal with that is to hire good people, but of course, it can be difficult to find the right fits and retain them, so that is a challenge as well.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Make sure you build a brand. Just creating a great service is not enough for the long term, as people who really love what you provide will want to have a real connection with either you or your business. The best way to do that is to build a strong brand message and aesthetic that they can connect with.
Hire good people and take good care of them. As an entrepreneur, we tend to want to do everything ourselves. But as soon as you are able, you should hire the right people to do the key tasks so you can work more on your business as opposed to in your business.
It's hard, but it does it anyway. I've kind of observed that the biggest difference I see between successful entrepreneurs and non-successful is one group gives up way too easily. It's hard for everyone. We all come up against roadblocks and say I'm not able to do this or I don't want to do this. Successful entrepreneurs accept that it's hard, accept that they hate this part, and do it anyway. Being able to grind through the hard parts and never giving up is the main difference between success and failure. Some of my most successful ventures made zero money and no traction for years, but if I hadn't stuck with them, I would have never experienced what they have attained today.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.letshibachi.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letshibachi/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letshibachi/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lets-hibachi/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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