Daymond John

Current Company

FUBU — Founder & CEO

From Hollis, Queens to a $6 Billion Brand

Daymond John founded FUBU (For Us, By Us) in 1992, sewing hats and t-shirts in his mother's house in Hollis, Queens, and selling them on street corners and at hip-hop events. With no formal business training and no outside investment, Daymond John built FUBU into a global streetwear phenomenon that generated over $6 billion in worldwide retail sales. The brand became a cultural symbol of the hip-hop generation and proved that authentic marketing — built on community credibility rather than advertising budgets — could create a global fashion brand.

Daymond John's mother mortgaged her house to help fund FUBU's expansion, a fact he references frequently as the foundation of his entrepreneurial philosophy: real risk, real skin in the game, and the willingness of community to back its own. Daymond John eventually secured a Samsung distribution deal that put FUBU in department stores worldwide, and the brand became one of the defining fashion labels of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The Shark and the Brand Builder

Since 2009, Daymond John has appeared as an investor on ABC's Shark Tank, funding and mentoring hundreds of entrepreneurs. Through his company The Shark Group, he provides brand strategy and consulting to Fortune 500 companies and emerging brands alike. Daymond John is also a New York Times bestselling author, with books on entrepreneurship, branding, and the power of broke — his philosophy that limited resources can be a competitive advantage.

As a self-made entrepreneur who built a billion-dollar brand with no formal education and no venture capital, Daymond John represents a model of business success that resonates particularly with founders from underrepresented backgrounds. His ability to spot consumer trends, build authentic brand narratives, and connect with young entrepreneurs has made him one of the most visible and impactful business mentors in America.