We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristen Fung and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristen, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Hi! Thanks for having me. I’m Kristen–the owner and creator of This Ugly Beautiful City, a local’s guide to Los Angeles.

I started my business because Los Angeles is a city that’s impossible to fully know. Whether you love it–or not–depends on how proactive you are in exploring beyond L.A.’s famous attractions and neighborhoods. Without the time or energy, you’ll either struggle or stay in your comfort zone. I find this to be true if you are visiting for a weekend or if you have lived here for decades.

I turned my love for Los Angeles into a business when I became the person everyone asked about things to do, eat, and see in L.A. From that steady and constantly growing list of recommendations, I created self-guided itineraries, in-person tours, and a community of explorers. I offer a unique perspective on the city I call home.

In the past year, I added travel planning and booking to be your one-stop place for exploring Los Angeles.

My business’s theme for 2024 was the word “build,” and in the last half of the year, I started to feature other places I love around the world on a site called Kristen Fung Travels.

In both venues, I am on a not-so-secret mission to focus travels around patronizing small businesses and art institutions.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I know it is hard for us new entrepreneurs to feel like we are experts. As a transplant to Los Angeles, I do feel a bit of imposter syndrome calling myself a Los Angeles expert. I thought I would answer this question with something a friend said about my work.

“(that) I bring a unique perspective that doesn’t rehash other city guides or gatekeep what is special about a place. I share authentic experiences.”

I am really proud of those things.

I love it when a friend or follower lets me know that they found something new through my work–whether it be a new bar, that there is a lake in Hollywood, or that they have started roller skating with L.A. Skate Hunnies.

It’s been an interesting year of transition. In 2024, I soft-launched my travel business. The advice I used to give freely–or undercharge for– is now part of my services. It has been hard at times to get people to make that transition along with me.

I also want people to know that travel advisors (aka travel agents) still exist. I am currently planning an art, architecture, and food-filled trip to Chicago for clients, and I am really excited about it. I love curating travel.

My knowledge and extensive research are valuable and worth something. ( I am going to go to the mirror now and repeat that a few times.)

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I don’t want to reveal all of my secrets here since I sell itineraries as part of my business. (My SCORE mentor would also encourage me not to do this as well.)

These are the things I think everyone should experience in Los Angeles–whether you are an Angeleno or visiting Los Angeles for the weekend. My one piece of advice is to treat each neighborhood like a day trip.

These are places I would take my best friend to, and I recommend that people add to their Los Angeles exploration lists.

Day 1: Sunday Farmer’s Market
People who visit me are always impressed by the farmer’s markets in Los Angeles. The number of different fruits and vegetables are amazing–especially to my midwestern friends and family. My favorite is the Mar Vista Farmer’s Market on Sundays. There is a great mix of local farmers and ready-to-eat food from around the world–Dutch, Venezuelan, and Hawaiian donuts, to name a few. Plus, you are within walking distance to a variety of restaurants serving Oaxacan, German, or Greek Food. Don’t forget about Fatty Mart and Mitsuwa Market Place too.

Day 2: Monday on Museum Row
In most other cities, museums are closed on Mondays, but not in Los Angeles. Over a dozen museums are open on Mondays. On Museum Row along Wilshire, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Academy Museum, the Petersen, and the La Brea Tar Pits Museum are all open. That would be an excellent day of museum hopping.

I use Objects & Order’s Exh.Cat to find all of the exhibitions I want to see in Los Angeles without having to look at every single museum website.

Day 3: The architectural gems of Los Feliz
There is a lot of great art and architecture in Los Feliz. Of course, there is the Griffith Observatory, but don’t sleep on the Hollyhock House and galleries like Luz de Jesus.

Other must-sees in Los Angeles are The Museum of Jurassic Technology, The Hollywood Bowl, Angel’s Tijuana Tacos, and The Wolves.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve had the support of a lot of friends and family along this journey. They are the ones who always like my posts, test out tours and products, and participate in events like the accountability group I started this year.

If you want to start a small business, I strongly recommend getting a mentor with SCORE. It is a free mentorship and resource program of the Small Business Administration.

When I feel the extreme loneliness of being a solopreneur, I appreciate the co-working sessions with the Quarterly Group. I just recently attended a co-working session with LA in Common.

When I really want to work in peace, I go to TheOffice in Santa Monica, which is a quiet co-working space catering to writers.

Website: https://linktr.ee/KristenUlrikkaFung

Other: My link tree lists all of the ways to find me and interact.

Image Credits
1-Author photo 2-Me giving a tour of Chinatown 3-Holding up Levitated Mass at LACMA 4-The Mar Vista Farmer’s Market 5-The Arepa Stand at Mar Vista Farmer’s Market 6-LACMA sticker and Chris Burden’s Urban Light 7-The Ruby Slippers at the Academy Museum 8-Hollyhock House
All photos taken and provided by Kristen Fung

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.