What comes to mind when you think high school party? Perhaps the classic and chaotic parents are out of town, let’s invite some friends over and throw a rager situation. Or, maybe you think lowkey kickback in the living room of a close friend’s house. Well, for 18-year-old Sebastian Moftakhar, and the thousands of guests he’s hosted, party means something completely different.
Sebastian, aka Sebas, is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of 310 Only, a hospitality company and party entertainment service that organizes events featuring swanky LA venues, crowds of excited teens, and performances by notable artists. “A lot of people have told me what differentiates 310 from just anybody throwing a party is that we really make sure everything is legit down to the point. It isn’t just a party, it’s a full on club experience.”
The 310 team strives to replicate ‘the club experience’ for those that aren’t quite old enough to get inside an actual club. Sebastian recognized what he considers a gap in the market: the jump between a house party and a nightclub. His events cater to those in their late teens and early twenties who don’t have the IDs to get themselves in anywhere, but want a Saturday night that’s more than just a sloppy gathering and loud music.
An impressive amount of work and coordination goes into recreating the club experience— renting a venue, hiring security, booking a DJ, getting a staging and lighting crew, etc. But the most important thing on Sebastian’s checklist is always ensuring his guests have the best night possible. He reminisced on past parties, recalling he was constantly focused on “making sure you had the best time.” About three years and thirty parties later, Sebastian has made over one hundred thousand dollars from these events, sometimes as much as sixteen thousand dollars in a single night. Because 310 has built up a reputation as Los Angeles’ premier teen event planner, people are willing to pay anywhere from $20-$100 just to get in. And when over a thousand people show up every time, parties can prove to be quite profitable.
Aside from the money, Sebastian finds genuine joy in creating an exciting and safe space for his friends and peers. “By the second or third party I knew I really liked it. There’s been parties where I haven’t made money, and there’s been parties where I have, but my enjoyment doesn’t depend on that. Just creating that experience for other people and also being a part of it makes me really happy.”
However, hospitality and event planning are just a few of the many things Sebastian is interested in. As a self-proclaimed ‘serial entrepreneur’ he strives to establish himself in a variety of fields—particularly, the music industry.
Already, Sebastian has worked with industry giants like Lil Baby and Rich the Kid, whom he’s connected with through 310. Last year, 310 collaborated with director Ben Marc to throw a party that served as the set for one of Lil Baby’s music videos. Not to mention, record label representatives are regulars at 310 events, and come to scout the up-and-coming artists that Sebastian books to perform. But his involvement in the music industry isn’t just limited to 310. Sebastian also founded a store on Melrose that combined high end sneaker shopping with studio recording sessions. While the pop up shop has since closed, he has great memories in this dual purpose creative space.
Lately, with all public events put on hold, Sebastian has been focused on music management. He currently represents the rap duo known as 06Boys, which is composed of Jay the Great and Bang Bro. While the two already have a couple tracks with over a hundred thousand streams, Sebastian looks forward to “taking them to the next level.” This involves marketing new music, meeting with record labels, and (when normal conditions return) booking gigs.
Oh yeah, and remember when I said he was only 18? That means Sebastian managed to pursue all these entrepreneurial endeavors while still in high school. In fact, the day Sebastian and I spoke for this interview was his last day of school, and he’s excited to be attending Babson College in Boston this fall. Despite having strong personal and business ties to LA, Sebastian is looking forward to getting out of his hometown and being exposed to new things. Even though he’ll be a few thousand miles away, Sebastian will remain heavily involved with 310, and trusts his team to handle the hands-on work while he’s on the east coast.
When asked what advice he had for fellow young entrepreneurs, Sebastian recommended putting yourself out there and getting as much practical experience as possible. But what’s most crucial, he said, is genuinely reflecting and learning from each of these experiences. “Every kind of situation, whether bad or good, is amazing for your growth as a person and what you can do next as an entrepreneur.”
So, what’s next for Sebastian Moftakhar? Considering he’s already done quite a lot for his age, we can only assume he’ll continue to impress us.
Keep up with him on Instagram @sebasmoft.
