Daymond John
Daymond John is the founder of FUBU, star of ABC's Shark Tank, presidential ambassador for entrepreneurship, and a marketing innovator.
Background & Expertise
Daymond John embodies the quintessential entrepreneurial journey from humble beginnings to global business success through his founding of FUBU (“For Us, By Us”), which grew from a hand-sewn clothing operation in his mother’s house to a global brand with over $6 billion in sales. Beyond FUBU, John has established himself as a marketing innovator, investor in numerous successful startups through ABC’s “Shark Tank,” and advocate for entrepreneurial education, particularly in underserved communities.
John’s expertise in marketing and business growth stems from his experience building FUBU without traditional resources or connections, instead leveraging guerrilla marketing, strategic partnerships, and authentic brand positioning. Unlike many business speakers who succeeded with substantial backing, John’s bootstrap entrepreneurship gives him uncommon insight into building successful businesses with limited resources. This combination of street-smart marketing and sophisticated brand development provides a unique perspective that resonates with entrepreneurs at all stages.
Signature Concepts & Methodologies
The Power of Broke™
John’s framework demonstrating how resource constraints often drive stronger innovation and business models than abundant funding.
S.H.A.R.K. Points System
His methodology for business evaluation and growth covering Setting goals, Homework/research, Adore your work, Remember your brand, and Keep Swimming.
Brand Within Strategy
John’s approach to authentic brand building that aligns internal values with external customer perception.
Grassroots Marketing Architecture
His methodology for building brand awareness and loyalty through community-based advocacy rather than traditional advertising.
Goal-Setting Fundamentals
John’s structured approach to daily goal planning and execution that he credits as fundamental to his success.
Books & Thought Leadership
- 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
- 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
- Powershift: Transform Any Situation, Close Any Deal, and Achieve Any Outcome
- Founder of Blueprint + Co, a co-working space and executive coaching service for entrepreneurs.
- Creator of the “Daymond on Demand” training program for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Speaking Style & Audience Experience
John delivers presentations with a compelling mix of street-smart wisdom, polished professionalism, and authentic personal narrative that immediately establishes credibility with diverse audiences. His speaking style blends entertaining storytelling from his remarkable journey with practical business insights, creating sessions that are both engaging and immediately applicable. He excels at translating complex business concepts into accessible frameworks through concrete examples from his extensive experience as both entrepreneur and investor.
What distinguishes John’s keynotes is his ability to connect with audience members across the entrepreneurial spectrum—from struggling startups to established enterprises—through universal principles of brand building and business growth. He creates powerful moments through candid sharing of both failures and successes, often revealing vulnerabilities not evident in his public persona. Attendees consistently report gaining practical strategies they can implement immediately, regardless of their industry or business stage.
Ideal Audiences & Event Types
- Entrepreneurship conferences and startup incubators
- Marketing and brand development organizations
- Small and medium-sized business owners
- Corporate innovation teams and intrapreneurship initiatives
- Minority business associations and urban development programs
- Sales kickoffs and business growth events
Recent Focus Areas
- Building resilient business models for economic uncertainty
- Leveraging digital platforms for authentic brand development
- Creating customer-advocacy marketing in skeptical markets
- Implementing resource-efficient growth strategies for early-stage businesses
- Developing purpose-driven brands that connect with younger consumers
