Investor, Author, and Entrepreneur - Founder of FUBU, Daymond John Does it All!

Daymond John always had an entrepreneurial spirit. At just 6-years-old he was selling pencils, and by the time he was 10, he was shoveling snow in the winter and raking leaves in the summer to make money to spend on candy.

Now, at age 43, Daymond John is an extremely successful American entrepreneur, investor, author, branding strategist, and motivational speaker. He is world-renowned for founding the global fashion brand FUBU, as well as for his role on the hit ABC business-reality TV series Shark Tank.

Raised in Queens, New York, John developed a love for fashion through his intense fascination with hip-hop during his adolescent years. Set on creating a new trend within the urban music community, John sought out the help of his biggest supporter, his mom, and began brainstorming ways to make an impact on the culture.

“My mother made her own clothing; she had a strong sense of style. I would see her late at night cutting patterns on the floor and sewing things.” He began to make his own hats from home and sold them in front of the New York Coliseum, making about $800 on the first day. That was the start of something huge for the business mogul-in-training.

Raine Magazine had the opportunity to speak with entrepreneur Daymond John about his struggles, journey to success, and life at the top of the Shark Tank.

RAINE: How did you launch FUBU? What were the financial circumstances?

JOHN: FUBU had slow growth. I started it in 1989, and closed it three times until 1992; it grew faster between 1992 until 1997. We started looking for financing around ‘94 and got turned down by 27 banks, so I mortgaged my home. Then, we turned my home into a factory for two years, and slept next to the sewing machines. We put out an ad in the newspaper and found financing. Then, we found a private investor connected with Samsung America. The investor liked the fact that we had good sales and a lot of rappers were wearing our brand.

RAINE: What was it like growing up? Did your family have any influence on the start up?

JOHN: My father, being from Trinidad, came over here at about 14-years-old. He was a computer programmer at that time. He would come home and be very hard on me about schoolwork. He was a guy that I knew, but didn’t know well; he was a very strong father figure, but not very nurturing. My mother worked just as hard as my father did; she always had a business on the side. My parents divorced when I was around 12-years-old and I became the man of the house.

Eventually, I no longer had to depend on factories and people—it became a real brand. The PR for FUBU was mainly word of mouth, besides product placing actual pieces; we would put FUBU shirts on various rappers appearing in videos and on magazines.

RAINE: Tell us a little about your hobbies and interests outside of the office.

JOHN: I’m a big outdoors guy and would describe myself as an avid fisherman and snowboarder. I love motorcycles. My favorite foods are seafood and eggplant parm. My favorite musicians are Fleetwood Mac, Prince, Bob Marley, Maxwell, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson.

RAINE: What do you love most about being an entrepreneur?

JOHN: What I love most about being an entrepreneur is being responsible for my own actions, whether they are good or bad.