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Daymond John

Daymond John

Daymond John is the founder and CEO of FUBU, a Shark Tank investor, and entrepreneur who co-hosted the 2024 How I Built This Advice Line episode to advise early-stage founders.

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Daymond John's Bio

Daymond John is a globally recognized entrepreneur, investor, and media personality best known as a mainstay investor on ABC's hit show Shark Tank. He is the founder of FUBU, the pioneering streetwear brand that reshaped global fashion, and a best-selling author, speaker, and advocate for small business owners and underrepresented founders. His work spans venture capital, brand consulting, and philanthropic efforts aimed at empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Born and raised in Hollis, Queens, New York, John launched his first business venture as a teenager, selling custom-sewn hats and clothing to local friends and community members. In 1992, he co-founded FUBU with a $40,000 seed investment, operating out of his small apartment and selling products door-to-door, at local flea markets, and out of the trunk of his car to build initial demand for the brand's hip-hop inspired apparel.

The FUBU founding story is defined by relentless grassroots hustle: John and his co-founders identified a glaring gap in the fashion market for streetwear that authentically represented the Black and hip-hop communities, and spent years building the brand through personal connections and community-focused marketing. Their big break came when they secured a $300,000 order from Macy's, which catapulted FUBU to national prominence and grew the brand into a $6 billion global enterprise over the next decade.

Today, John continues to invest in early-stage companies on Shark Tank, where…

Career Timeline

  • 1992Co-founded FUBU

    Launched the streetwear apparel brand FUBU (For Us By Us) alongside three partners, operating initially out of his mother's home in Hollis, Queens, New York, and selling hand-sewn hats at local flea markets and street corners to generate initial capital for the brand.

  • 2009Joined Shark Tank as Investor

    Debuted as a guest investor on the first season of ABC's entrepreneurial reality series Shark Tank, and became a main cast member (affectionately known as a 'shark') starting in the show's second season, investing in hundreds of small businesses and earning widespread recognition for his expertise in brand building and scaling consumer-focused companies.

  • 2015Founded The Shark Group

    Established The Shark Group, a full-service brand management, consulting, and investment firm that provides strategic guidance to early-stage startups and established global brands across consumer goods, media, and technology sectors.

  • 2016Published The Power of Broke

    Released his debut New York Times bestselling business book, which outlines his core philosophy that limited financial resources can drive creativity, innovation, and sustainable competitive advantage for entrepreneurs.

Episodes

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