Daymond John

Daymond John – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the inspiring journey of Daymond John — from humble beginnings in Queens to founding FUBU, appearing on Shark Tank, and becoming a best-selling author. Explore his life, lessons, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Daymond John (born February 23, 1969) is an American entrepreneur, investor, television personality, and author. Best known as the founder and CEO of FUBU and as one of the original Shark Tank investors, Daymond has built an extraordinary life from humble origins. His story is a powerful example of how vision, grit, and branding can transform not only a business, but inspire countless aspiring entrepreneurs. Even today, his influence reverberates across fashion, media, and business education.

Early Life and Family

Daymond Garfield John was born on February 23, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York, and soon after grew up in the Hollis neighborhood of Queens.

Because his family had limited financial means, Daymond began working at a young age. His first “job” was distributing flyers for a few dollars an hour at age 10. His early exposure to work and responsibility shaped a mindset of self-reliance and hustle.

He attended a Catholic school for seven years.

Beyond school, Daymond’s ventures began early — even selling simple items or reconditioned goods to supplement income.

Youth and Education

Daymond John did not pursue higher education in the traditional sense. Instead, after high school, he invested his energy and time into business ideas.

To support his fledgling business, he took on service jobs. For a period, he waited tables at Red Lobster while simultaneously working on his clothing ideas.

Although formal schooling ended, Daymond’s education continued in the real world: learning branding, marketing, supply chains, sales, and resilience through trial and error.

Career and Achievements

Founding FUBU

One of Daymond’s most defining achievements is the founding and growth of FUBU (which stands for “For Us, By Us”).

In the early 1990s, from his mother’s house in Queens, Daymond began sewing wool ski hats (with the top tied off by fishing line) and eventually moved on to screen-printed T-shirts and sweatshirts.

To gain visibility, Daymond used clever marketing: he placed FUBU apparel on rappers in music videos and tied it into hip-hop culture.

In 1994, at a trade show, FUBU garnered $300,000 in retailer orders.

FUBU’s significance has also been recognized in cultural institutions—its products have been featured in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The Shark Group & Brand Consulting

After FUBU’s rise, Daymond founded The Shark Group, a branding and consulting firm.

Shark Tank & Investing

In 2009, Daymond joined ABC’s Shark Tank as one of the panel of investor “Sharks,” evaluating entrepreneurs’ pitches and investing his own capital.

By 2017, he had invested over $8.5 million of his own money across Shark Tank deals. Some of his notable investments include:

• Bubba’s-Q Boneless Ribs: sales grew from ~$154,000 to $16 million in three years.

• Bombas Socks: One of the most successful Shark Tank products; after Daymond’s investment, sales soared.

• Sun-Staches, and mentoring Mo’s Bows (young entrepreneur Moziah Bridges), in which Daymond opted not to invest but to mentor instead.

In his role on Shark Tank, Daymond often focuses not just on metrics, but on the founder’s character. In his words, “I invest in the person first.” Shark Tank has won multiple Emmy Awards and remains a flagship business reality show.

Writing, Speaking & Philanthropy

Daymond John is also a published author. His books include:

• Display of Power: How FUBU Changed a World of Fashion, Branding and Lifestyle

• The Brand Within: The Power of Branding from Birth to the Boardroom

• The Power of Broke: How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger for Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage

• Rise and Grind: Outperform, Outwork, and Outhustle Your Way to a More Successful and Rewarding Life

• Powershift: Transform Any Situation, Close Any Deal, and Achieve Any Outcome

• Little Daymond Learns to Earn (for children)

He is a frequent speaker, sharing insights on entrepreneurship, branding, and business leadership.

He also founded Black Entrepreneurs Day, an annual event promoting and uplifting Black-owned businesses.

Among his honors and awards, Daymond has been named Brandweek Marketer of the Year, earned the NAACP Entrepreneur of the Year (twice), Advertising Age’s Marketing 1000 Award, Ernst & Young New York Entrepreneur of the Year, and more.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Daymond’s rise coincided with the 1990s proliferation of hip-hop culture and streetwear. FUBU perfectly aligned with that cultural moment.

• He capitalized on an era when music videos, celebrity influence, and style convergence were powerful marketing tools.

• Shark Tank, which premiered in 2009, provided him a platform to amplify his brand and philosophy while directing capital and mentorship into emerging ventures.

• In recent years, debates around representation, equity, and supporting minority-led businesses have increased Daymond’s role in entrepreneurship activism (e.g. via Black Entrepreneurs Day).

Legacy and Influence

Daymond John is often held up as a bridge between fashion, hip-hop culture, and mainstream business. His legacy spans multiple dimensions:

1. Cultural Brand Builder: FUBU is more than apparel—it represented identity, urban pride, and ownership in an industry where many felt marginalized. Its success demonstrated how culture and commerce can align.

2. Entrepreneurial Mentor: Through Shark Tank, speaking, books, and programs, Daymond has influenced countless founders globally.

3. Advocate for Underrepresented Entrepreneurs: His initiatives and visibility help amplify voices in communities that historically lacked access to capital and networks.

4. Thought Leadership in Branding & Hustle: His writings and quotes continue to shape entrepreneurial mindsets—especially around constraints, creativity, and resilience.

5. A Living Example of “From Nothing to Something”: His origin story resonates. For many, Daymond is proof that background, school credentials, or starting capital don’t have to define the future.

Personality and Talents

Daymond John’s personality is often described as driven, energetic, sharp, and tenacious. He pushes entrepreneurs to not just dream, but take concrete steps daily.

He is also transparent about struggles—such as dyslexia, which he has openly acknowledged and credited for helping him develop creative problem-solving and persistence.

In his personal life, Daymond has spoken about being an absentee husband during parts of his first marriage due to his work intensity.

In 2017, he was diagnosed with stage II thyroid cancer; after surgery, he made a recovery.

Faith is also part of his identity—he identifies as Catholic.

Famous Quotes of Daymond John

Here are some of Daymond John’s most cited and impactful quotes, each carrying a lesson:

• “The easiest thing to sell is truth.”

• “Life is like business, 20% of what happens to you is 80% of how you react.”

• “You don’t get rich off your day job, you get rich off your homework.”

• “When you succeed you have a million people to thank, but when you fail there is only one person to blame.”

• “Truth is the easiest thing to sell.” (variant)

• “If you aren’t living your dreams, you’re living your fears.”

• “Be in the efforts business, not the results business.”

• “It takes the same energy to think small as it does to think big. So dream big and think bigger.”

These quotes reflect recurring themes in his philosophy: authenticity, accountability, action, and vision.

Lessons from Daymond John

• Embrace constraint: Daymond often argues that limited resources can force creativity. (The Power of Broke revolves around this principle.)

• Own your story and brand: From FUBU’s name to its marketing, Daymond understood how branding is identity—not just a logo.

• Leverage relationships and culture: Rather than buying celebrity endorsements, he embedded FUBU into hip-hop culture.

• Prioritize the founder, not just the idea: In investing, he consistently emphasizes trust, integrity, and perseverance.

• Persist through rejection: He was refused by dozens of banks before unlocking capital for FUBU.

• Adapt and evolve: As fashion trends changed and FUBU’s dominance waned, Daymond pivoted to consulting, media, mentorship, and investing.

• Teach and uplift: True legacy, he would argue, lies in empowering others, especially those less visible.

Conclusion

Daymond John’s journey—from sewing hats in his mother’s house, to running a global fashion empire, to mentoring businesses on Shark Tank—is more than a biography. It is a template for how vision, hustle, and integrity intersect to create impact.

His life underscores that success is not merely about profits, but about identity, influence, and the courage to push boundaries. As one of today’s most talked-about entrepreneurs, Daymond continues to teach that anyone, from any background, can shape their destiny through action.

If you’d like, I can also gather more “Daymond John quotes for entrepreneurs,” or build a social media-friendly card of his best sayings. Would you like me to do that?