Page 7 - MidWeek Kauai - Nov 23, 2022

Gen-Z Entrepreneur Follows His Passions
When it came time for Tumbaga to graduate from high school in 2020, he al- ready had a booming biz under his belt. Unlike his classmates, who were think- ing about what college they wanted to go to, he was planning his next business venture.
virtually anywhere. But where Tumbaga really shines is when he turns his passions into projects. Such is the case for his latest undertaking: concert promotion.
Tumbaga’s skills as a showrunner were put to the test when it was announced that Lanez was sentenced to house arrest for an ongoing criminal investigation.
nspiration for his next entrepreneurial enter- prise could come from
“From that moment, I went home and I was talking to my girlfriend at the time and was saying, ‘This is what I want to do,’ and I never felt myself so passionate about something — ever. There was a huge, huge need in Hawai‘i for music that our generation listens to.”
“We’re building out a space called The Warehouse, which is literally what it is — it was a warehouse and (we) basically turned it into a large, 3,500 capacity con- cert venue with state-of-the- art technology, lighting and video screen monitors, and stage production.”
“I think the only drawback to being young is that some- times I can’t get into certain events and meetings because they’ re serving alcohol and I’m under 21. I don’t drink, I don’t do drugs, I don’t do any of that stuff — I just want to get into the meeting to network with people,” he says, laughing.
an experience unlike any other, Tumbaga has invested in a facility called The Ware- house, located at 2020 Auiki St. in Kalihi.
Tumbaga has accom- plished a lot in the years since his math-tutee days — and all before he’s turned 21, too.
NOVEMBER 23, 2022 KAUA‘I MIDWEEK 7
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even more,” Tumbaga says, adding that TikTok influenc- er Bryce Hall was his first ce- lebrity sale. “I did that and continued to do that and then got picked up by some seri- ous celebrities — like real celebrities with a real cult following — and it kind of took off. The celebrities told their friends and so on and so forth.”
raged me. I was like, ‘Why are these people telling me that I can’t have this? That I have to go to college and get a ‘real’ job ... So, I lit- Ierally made it my mission to fly first class and that I would never get a ‘real’ job.”
manager, Scooter, and I said tohim,‘Iwanttodoashow like this. I want to put this on.’ We’re in a room with 50,000 people all singing his songs. This is magical. If I can’t be the talent singing up there, I want to put this show on.
most people in my genera- tion, knew, and somebody who was on the come up to releasing another album,” says Tumbaga. “Tory was about to release an album, he’s not signed to any record label, he’s independent, he doesn’t have much restric- tion and he can do whatev- er he wants with his music. He’s a super creative guy. I’ ve been in the studio with him many, many times, and (I knew) what he’s cooking up was going to be No. 1.”
change is key.”
To provide attendees with
show in Hawai‘i, you know it’s going to be high-end, you know it’s going to be sophis- ticated and you know that it’s going to be somebody that you want to listen to.”
“I always told myself that I was never going to work for anyone,” he says. “ A lot of the older people in my life say, ‘I can’t wait till reality hits you and you have to go get a job. There’s no more flying first class and doing all this stuff’ — and that en-
“Itwasakindofa no-brainer,” he says. “I have all these connections in en- tertainment because I would go to these concerts and I would go to Rolling Loud and Coachella and do shoe transitions there. I met a lot of managers, talent, promot- ers and agencies, and to put on a show like that really excited me. I was at a Jus- tin Bieber show in Atlanta and I leaned over to Justin’s
His first show was sched- uled to take place on Nov. 18 and feature rapper Tory Lanez. The artist’s recent album, Sorry 4 What, rose to No. 1 on Apple Music’s Hip-hop/Rap chart.
“One lesson that I’ve learned through all of this is life is all about change,” he continues. “Change is the one constant in life and adapting to change can be a great challenge. Learn- ing how to adapt and suc- cessfully navigate through
Coming up, Kodak Black is set to perform on Dec. 10, and although Tumbaga’s lips are sealed about future performers, he promises that music fans have a lot to look forward to in 2023. He lists Dominic Fike, The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber, Harry Styles, Frank Ocean, Lil Baby and Giveon as his dream artists to bring out.
“I’m counting down the days,” Tumbaga adds about his highly anticipated 21st birthday in January. “I’m not even going to drink on my birthday. I’m not going to Vegas. I’m going to a nice networking event that’s 21- plus.”
“When I was looking at the pool of artists to bring as my first artist, I wanted to make a big boom in Hawai‘i — a guy that everybody, or
“When you hear that Con- nor Tumbaga is going to do a
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Twenty-year-old Tumbaga got his start in the business realm by selling limited-edition sneakers.
Always on the go, Connor Tumbaga frequents Honolulu, Los Angeles and Tokyo.
PHOTO COURTESY CONNOR TUMBAGA
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