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Daymond John’s success is credited to the immeasurable value of having a solid support system. It’s a known tidbit that the “Shark Tank” co-star turned FUBU into an iconic brand thanks to his mother’s belief in him. However, in an interview with Shannon Sharpe, he revealed the extent of just how much she supported his dream. After Sharpe mentioned that John’s mother was his first investor, he shared his journey that led to the special moment. From seeing him work tirelessly on his brand for five years to being denied by 27 banks, she made a big decision to help her son. “I go to my mother and tell her I got turned down from 27 banks and she says, ‘Daymond, you’ve been trying to contribute to this house as long as you were a kid. I wouldn’t do this if you didn’t have the money. Let’s take all of the money we can out of the house. You manufacture and deliver the clothes and put the money back into the house.’ And that’s how she gave me the money,” he told Sharpe. He continued: “My...
Daymond John is dispelling some traditional truths told in the business world. John is a serial investor and “Shark Tank” judge who made his mark through his streetwear brand FUBU. The brand, founded in 1992 by O’Leary and his friends Alexander Martin, Keith Perrin, and Carlton Brown, was launched from his mother’s home with an initial investment of just $40, as previously reported by AFROTECH™. “I didn’t start with a leap, and I think that’s important to know. I started with $40,” John told the Truckload Authority. “I bought some material and made a bunch of hats. I went out on the street to see if I could sell them. That’s not a leap. It was a small, affordable step. Entrepreneurship isn’t an ‘all or nothing’ thing. You can and should wade into it. I can’t say where I would have been if I didn’t start FUBU, but I know I would have kept trying things.” FUBU received an early boost when John’s mother invested $100,000 from her mortgage to support the brand’s growth. While working to...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Companies and products are often designed with younger generations, like Gen Z and Millennials, in mind. However, this emphasis often causes the industry to overlook older generations who also need technology tailored to their needs. One would think this would be an obvious market, given that Gen X and Boomers hold more wealth than younger generations. That wealth alone makes them an attractive customer base because they can afford the products and services being developed. Even so, there hasn’t been much focus from tech investors or founders on creating solutions for this demographic. How often have you come across a founder or investor saying, “We’re building this for Gen X or Boomers”? Rarely, if ever. This is a massively overlooked opportunity. One reason for this lack of attention is that the tech industry is perpetually focused on the future. Rarely does it look to the past. When developing...
While some runners only need fresh air and a familiar path to get into the zone, others require more motivation. Identifying with the latter group, 26-year-old Destin George Bell developed an application, Card.io , to encourage himself and others like him to get outside and be active. The gamified fitness tracker launched in 2022 and transforms users’ outdoor walking or running into a giant interactive team-based game like Turf War or Capture the Flag. Like Strava and Garmin, it monitors pace, distance, calories burned, and more. It also integrates with those platforms, enabling users to upload completed routes from those trackers into Card.io to compete with others by claiming the parts of town they move in. If you haven’t heard about the app or Bell yet, you probably will soon. The company made its television debut on Friday, Oct. 18, during the Season 16 premiere of the Emmy Award-winning show “Shark Tank.” Pitching on the show is a significant achievement, as less than 1% of...
Entrepreneurship is a long, arduous journey that’s rarely linear. And, for Black entrepreneurs the process can be even harder. It’s no secret that minorities and female founders often struggle to secure capital when compared to white male founders. Even attracting as much visibility in mainstream media as other businesses — including social media growth — can be harder. Plus, not having a network of fellow entrepreneurs who understand the challenges can make the entire experience lonely. Daymond John, a serial entrepreneur, understands this process all too well. From his days launching the iconic streetwear apparel brand FUBU to parlaying his business acumen into the investor niche, John learned from his growing pains. Now, he wants to help other Black-owned businesses navigate those issues. From Hollis, Queens, To The Tank Today, John is a household name, thanks to his tenure on the ABC’s “Shark Tank.” But many people are familiar with him from FUBU, a streetwear brand he started...
Whether you are a Gen Z’er, Millennial, Gen X’er or Boomer, you have probably seen Daymond John on TV. Elder Millennials, Gen X’ers and Boomers probably remember John from the iconic FUBU brand launched with famed spokespeople like LL Cool J during the 90s. Meanwhile, younger Millennials and Gen Z members may only know him as one of the main angel investors on the hit ABC reality show, “ Shark Tank .” Wherever one remembers him from, Daymond John has become a fixture in the investor circuit and a strong example of Black Excellence fueled by entrepreneurship. From working behind the scenes when Hip-Hop expanded beyond the music industry to becoming the face of helping small business owners skyrocket to success through shrewd business deals, he has proven his business acumen time and again. Which leaves just one question — how much is Daymond John Worth? Daymond John’s Early Life Like many people in and around Hip-Hop during the early years, Daymond John is from New York — Brooklyn to...
In 1997, we were introduced to the sibling trio of Teri, Maxine, and Bird — the Joseph sisters. Like many families, they were a tight-knit group that navigated life’s challenges and moments in what they believed were the most appropriate ways. With spouses, children, and close friends all a part of the ecosystem around the siblings — their mom was at the center, holding them all together. If you haven’t figured it out yet, “Soul Food” is the story, and it’s a “blassic” (Black classic) about the power and influence of Mama Joe and how the lessons she gave her girls served as generational wisdom that was deeply rooted in tradition. Familial relationships range in closeness and health, but moms frequently have a special place in the hearts of children. When growing up, your mom’s advice may seem nerve-racking and annoying, but when the perils of adulting start to kick in, her wisdom is always clutch. Millionaire Daymond John is a testament to such wisdom and support. John is likely...
An exclusive collection is set to support Black designers on the rise. HubSpot and NTWRK have joined forces for a fashion drop at INBOUND 2022 — an annual event that brings industry leaders together — according to a press release shared with AfroTech. The creative talent behind the drop’s curation is Antoine Gregory. As the founder of Black Fashion Fair, a platform dedicated to Black designers and Black-owned brands, the creative was beyond fitted for the collaboration. Additionally, Gregory has worked with the likes of Akris, Dolce & Gabbana, Pyer Moss, Fubu, and Telfar. “Antoine Gregory’s Black Fashion Fair is a great example of a business that puts its mission at its core – and they’ve scaled while maintaining purpose,” Amy Marino, HubSpot’s Global Head of Brand Marketing, said. “We’re inspired by Antoine’s accomplishments and excited to partner once again with NTWRK to co-create a one-of-a-kind collection that amplifies these talented designers and their stories.”
In 2016, Solange released her critically acclaimed album, “A Seat at the Table.” The album spoke to the Black experience and some of how the community navigates culture. One of the songs from this album that fully embraces the concept of the challenges, range, and beauty of the Black experience is “F.U.B.U.” In it, she opens by declaring, “…Made this song to make it all y’all’s turn. For us, this sh-t is for us.” In just a few short months, the Solange-inspired calling card will have undeniable evidence as members of the tech and business communities gather in Austin, TX, for AfroTech Conference. On Nov. 13-17, 2022, conference attendees will participate in panel discussions and keynote addresses, network with industry experts, and engage in various entertainment experiences guaranteed to keep the vibes high. While the conference is open to everyone, there is no doubt that AfroTech is a F.U.B.U (for us, by us) situation. So, check out these tips to help maximize your experience at...
The road of entrepreneurship started for Trey Brown at age 12. Now, the 15-year-old’s clothing brand — reportedly projected to bring in $2.2 million in 2021 sales — landed an investment deal set to propel his dream of becoming a billionaire by age 21. Trey Brown is the founder and CEO of Spergo, a Philadelphia-based streetwear apparel brand. During an episode of ABC’s “Shark Tank” — which aired on Nov. 5 — the young entrepreneur pitched to the judging panel and landed a $300,000 investment deal from Daymond John in exchange for a 20 percent stake in Spergo, CNBC reports. https://www.instagram.com/p/CV6j1xqLWrM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link According to Brown’s mother and Spergo’s COO, Sherell Peterson, John’s investment will go toward hiring a fashion designer, upgrading the startup’s e-commerce technology and getting further ahead on upcoming production. The deal is perfectly aligned as John himself became a young CEO in the 90s with the launch of his iconic brand, FUBU. The two...
The year 2020 was not the year most people imagined. Small businesses, particularly Black-owned ones, were hit hard by the pandemic. According to Facebook’s Global State of Small Business Report — which surveyed more than 35,000 small business leaders — approximately 33 percent of Black businesses reported being closed, compared to 18 percent of non-minority-owned businesses. While this statistic is daunting, Black business owners did what our people have done for centuries: They persisted. They survived. They were resilient. And although the pandemic made it difficult, not all was lost. This Black Business Month, Facebook Elevate is rising to the occasion, providing resources to Black businesses and amplifying those entrepreneurial voices. The online community of over 40,000 is doing the important work of ensuring entrepreneurs of color have the opportunity to reach an expansive audience in need of their products and services. As part of Facebook Elevate’s mission to support and...
Lowe’s just announced a partnership with Daymond John of ABC’s “Shark Tank” to change the narrative when it comes to minority entrepreneurs and big corporate brands, according to CNN . Minority entrepreneurs and other owners of diverse small businesses can apply for a chance to win shelf space and pitch their products to the home improvement giant’s executives. Per Lowe’s, a diverse small business is at least 51 percent owned, operated, and controlled by veterans, women, minorities, or those who are LGBTQ. With the help of John, who is also the founder of hip-hop apparel company FUBU, the company’s idea is to let these business owners make their case directly to Lowe’s executives and help streamline the process. “Lowe’s is giving these minority-owned businesses a much-deserved chance to shine while uncovering unique, smart products that will make Lowe’s shelves even more appealing to customers,” said John. John shares that it normally takes years for a business to get its products...
Many entrepreneurs attribute a part of their success to their commitment to learning — and not just learning through formal business education. In fact, a minority of business owners have a college degree . Entrepreneurs learn through their own experiences, and they seek knowledge that will help them grow their business. This knowledge can take many forms, such as conversations with other entrepreneurs and experts, formal education, and reading. To help you grow your business, here are four books you should check out today: “Rise and Grind” by Daymond John From FUBU to Shark Tank , Daymond John’s entrepreneurial journey has blessed him with a wealth of experience and insights, many of which he imparts in “Rise and Grind: Out-Perform, Out-Work, and Out-Hustle Your Way to a More Successful and Rewarding Life.” Focusing on how to maximize your time to get the best possible outcome from your efforts, John’s work is filled with practical and hard-won insights perfect for aspiring and...