Meet Ben Blasi | CEO at 15

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

Hi Ben, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve been playing both club and school volleyball for about 5 years now. The idea of Servin’ Swag came from my struggle to find suitable athletic pants that complemented my body type. Recognizing a shared challenge among male volleyball players, particularly those with a taller, slender frame, I observed a gap in the market. Most apparel manufacturers assume that a longer inseam equals a larger waist size, neglecting those with a lean build and long legs. The standard inseam on men’s athletic pants is 29 inches. I worked on creating custom-designed pants tailored to fit this demographic, and that had the details that I thought were important. Our size range is currently S to 2XL with 32 and 34 inch inseams. Including pockets that zip and are large enough to hold your phone. With boys’ volleyball rapidly gaining popularity in the United States, it’s actually the fastest growing boys sport, I identified a promising market niche with significant potential. Southern California is not only a great place to live, but also the home of some of the greatest boys’ volleyball clubs, teams and players.

What should our readers know about your business?

It hasn’t even been a year since Servin’ Swag was launched, but I am hopeful for the future and where it will take me. The biggest compliment I ever receive is seeing people wear my pants. They can say they like them but actually wearing them is the ultimate compliment. As well as club and high school volleyball players, I have several professional and NCAA volleyball players and ever a D1 quarterback wearing Servin’ Swag pants.

I look forward to attending major boys’ volleyball tournaments this year, providing me with a platform to showcase my pants. What I’m most excited about is my upcoming partnership with the SoCal Cup. I will have a booth at the upcoming SoCal Cup Showcase tournament in June at the Los Angeles Convention center where they are expecting over 800 boys volleyball teams. I will have a booth there where the pants will be available for purchase as well as some other fun things!  My primary challenge remains reaching potential customers. I firmly believe that once individuals see and experience the quality of the pants firsthand, they will be impressed. After all, seeing is believing, and I am confident in the appeal of my product. We currently have players and coaches ranging from 5’8″ to 7′ wearing the pants.

My first design was the Vertical Trainer Men’s Jogger Pants, described as the ultimate solution for those who have struggled to find pants that truly fit their body type. Saying goodbye to the common misconception that a long inseam automatically translates to a large waist. Constructed from premium athletic fabric, these jogger pants are not only durable but also offer superior comfort during any activity. Now available in three different fabric styles, these pants will keep up with your every move.

We also want clubs, schools and teams to know that we can have their custom team or school logo embroidered on the pants. We currently offer a size range of S to 2XL with 32 and 34 inch inseams.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Carlsbad is a great place to live! I would start by grabbing donuts at Super Donuts in Carlsbad Village.
Then I would spend the morning at the beach volleyball courts at Off Shore, followed by a swim in the ocean.
I would grab some shrimp tacos at Dinis for lunch and then ride my e-bike around the village with my friends.
I like to have dinner at Gregorios with my family and then top off the day with ice cream at Handels. The chocoholic chunk is the best!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Being part of the volleyball community has enriched my life in ways beyond measure. I consider myself fortunate not only to have found friendship among my teammates but also to have received invaluable guidance from seasoned players who have served as mentors.

At Carlsbad High School, Coach Tomkinson and Coach Mitch have been exceptional role models and supporters. Their encouragement has been instrumental in my growth, both on and off the court. Also, their endorsement of my business venture has been truly heartening. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see fellow Carlsbad HS players proudly sporting Servin’ Swag pants with the Carlsbad Volleyball logo.

Playing for Coast Volleyball in San Diego has been another highlight of my volleyball journey. I am grateful to my coaches and teammates at Coast, who continuously challenge me to reach new heights while providing support and guidance.

The encouragement of my entire family has been a constant source of strength. My mother, in particular, has played a pivotal role as my Chief Marketing Officer, drawing on her expertise in both marketing and apparel design. Her constant presence and support have been invaluable every step of the way.

Website: www.servinswag.com

Instagram: @servinswag

Other: tiktok: servinswag

Image Credits
ShawnnVisuals Tyler Jordan

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal 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.
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