Meet Shant Varozian | Founder, Back Nine Blends

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

Hi Shant, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It started on the course. Weekend rounds with family and friends, and I kept noticing how good those moments felt. Golf, cigars, and good company. That combination kept showing up every time we got together, and I started to realize this could be something bigger.
I hadn’t seen a clothing brand that filled that space, not the way I envisioned it. So I asked myself: if the gap exists, why not be the one to fill it?
I also wanted to challenge myself. I have a 9-to-5, but I felt I needed to build a little something of my own. Back Nine Blends started as a passion project, but the goal was never to keep it small.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Currently, I work as a Curriculum Specialist with the Los Angeles Community College District, where I’ve spent over 20 years growing through various roles and departments. Getting to this point wasn’t a walk in the park, but I’m lucky to have had managers who were genuine role models, people who trusted me with more responsibility and helped shape the professional I am today. The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Balance is everything. You can be the most driven person in the room and still burn out if you’re not careful about preserving your energy.
As for the brand, I just want it to mean something. Back Nine Blends isn’t about chasing trends or building something flashy. It’s about creating pieces that feel like they belong in your rotation, whether you’re heading to the course, meeting up with friends, or just living your life. If it adds value to someone’s day, no matter how big or small, that’s the ultimate win.
That’s really what this is about. Creating something people can relate to, connect with, and actually enjoy wearing. Not just a logo on a shirt, but a reminder of the moments that matter: good company, good conversation, and the kind of downtime that recharges you. If Back Nine Blends can be part of that for even a handful of people, I’ll consider this a success.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If a friend came to visit LA for a week, here’s a little glimpse of what we could do to have a memorable time.
First things first, we’d try to get a round in. Oak Quarry Golf Club in Riverside is one of my personal favorites — the views and quality of the course are worth it. But honestly, LA has no shortage of courses, so we could find something that fits our schedule.
Beyond the course, there’s plenty to keep us busy: historical landmarks, hiking trails, theme parks, concert venues, comedy clubs, you name it!
For food, it really depends on the mood. I’d like to think I know some great food spots. Between Mediterranean and Armenian restaurants, smash burger joints, hot chicken, Italian delis, Mexican, incredible pizza, Thai food, and no shortage of dessert options, we’d have plenty to work with.
And to close the night out right, there’s no shortage of good local breweries and bars to choose from too.
This is just scratching the surface! My personality is to wing it and go with the flow. There’s plenty to see, eat, and explore, and it really just comes down to time and budget.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A lot of people have inspired me along the way, but the one who matters most is my wife. She believed in this before it even took shape. And that kind of support is what gave me the confidence to stop dreaming about it and actually go build it.

Website: https://backnineblends.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/backnineblends/