Daymond John is an entrepreneur, investor and television personality, best known as one of the “sharks” on the ABC reality television series Shark Tank.
He is the founder and CEO of the clothing label FUBU, which stands for For Us, By Us, and has been credited with setting fashion trends for young African Americans.
John has also expanded his business empire to include FUBU Entertainment, FUBU Foundation and y2g.com.
He is an advocate for entrepreneurship, branding, marketing, and motivational speaking, and has been recognized with numerous awards for his contributions to business and fashion.
Net worth | $350 million |
Profession | Entrepreneur, investor, TV personality |
Date of birth | February 23, 1969 |
Nationality | American |
Early life and career
John was born on February 23, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York. Raised in Queens, John’s early life was marked by his entrepreneurial spirit and struggles with dyslexia.
Despite challenges in reading and spelling, he excelled in math and science.
John’s journey to success began with sewing hats in his childhood home, leading to the creation of the iconic clothing line FUBU.
FUBU gained immense popularity and reached annual sales of $350 million by 1998.
John’s business acumen and branding expertise have earned him prestigious awards like Ernst & Young’s New York Entrepreneur of the Year.
Net worth
John’s net worth is estimated to be around $350 million.
He earned his wealth primarily through his clothing brand FUBU, which grew from a $40 investment into a $6 billion empire.
John’s success with FUBU, along with his investments and business ventures, has contributed to his substantial net worth.
Additionally, his role as an investor and television personality on the show Shark Tank has also increased his wealth.
FUBU
FUBU is an American hip hop apparel company founded in 1992 by John, Keith Perrin, J. Alexander Martin and Carlton Brown.
FUBU stands for reflecting the brand’s focus on serving the urban and hip-hop communities, which were often neglected by other clothing companies.
The company started as a small operation in John’s home, where he and his mother turned the house into a makeshift factory and office space.
FUBU’s product line includes casual wear, sports wear, suit collections, eyewear, belts, shoes and accessories. The brand gained immense popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s, with annual revenues reaching around $200 million.
FUBU has expanded to include various lines such as Platinum FUBU, FUBU footwear for men and women, intimate apparel, active wear, swimwear, watches, FUBU suits and FUBU tuxedos.
In 2010, FUBU relaunched its collection in the U.S., re-branding itself as FB Legacy. The brand has continued to collaborate with various brands, including Puma, Pyer Moss and Urban Outfitters.
In 2018, Puma and FUBU began a collaboration to create a number of shoes.
In September 2020, Eye Candy Creations USA and FUBU announced their collaboration to design, create, produce and sell FUBU FRAMES, a sunglasses and optical collection worldwide.
FUBU’s success can be attributed to its ability to tap into the urban and hip-hop market, creating a strong brand identity and a loyal customer base.
The brand’s influence extended beyond clothing, as it also established a record label, FUBU Records, from 2001 to 2003. FUBU’s decline occurred due to over-saturation of the market, as John has publicly stated.
The Shark Group
The Shark Group, founded by John, is a brand management and consulting firm based in Manhattan, New York.
The agency’s culture is deeply rooted in identifying opportunities, working hard, and finding solutions to grow businesses immediately.
The Shark Group specializes in brand strategy and development, artist relations and talent development.Â
They work with a wide range of businesses and brands, including Capital One, HSN, Forbes, Miller Lite, Gillette, Shopify and Infusionsoft.
The agency has also collaborated with superstars like Muhammad Ali, the Kardashians, Pitbull, Stan Lee, Carlos Santana, Jillian Michaels and others.
John’s role as the CEO of The Shark Group has allowed him to leverage his expertise in entrepreneurship, marketing, branding, financial literacy and goal-setting.
He is a dynamic speaker with over twenty-five years of business experience and is highly sought after for keynote speeches at Fortune 100 companies, conferences, universities and independent businesses.
Daymond John’s Success Formula/Next Level Success
Daymond John’s Success Formula, later rebranded to Next Level Success in September 2019, is a program designed to educate and empower business owners and entrepreneurs on how to start and grow their businesses successfully.
This initiative works closely with organizations like the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship to inspire and support the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The program offers valuable resources, mentorship opportunities and a $1,500 scholarship awarded to two students annually, aiming to foster innovation and business acumen among aspiring entrepreneurs.
Audible partnership
John partnered with Audible in a multi-project first-look deal to create audio original content aimed at providing guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs to unlock their potential and achieve their aspirations.
This collaboration with Audible, the world’s largest producer of audiobooks, involves creating and curating exciting new Audible Originals projects exclusively for the platform.
The content is designed to uplift, educate, and inspire listeners in an entertaining and easy-to-follow manner.
John’s goal is to share his experiences and knowledge, including overcoming adversity, through these Audible Originals.
Audible, known for its innovation in the audio space, is an ideal partner to amplify these messages.
Shopify brand ambassadorship
John’s partnership with Shopify as a brand ambassador signifies his collaboration with the successful Ottawa-based e-commerce software startup.
Shopify, known for enabling merchants to create and manage their online stores efficiently, has garnered Daymond John’s enthusiastic support.
As a prominent figure from Shark Tank, John’s endorsement of Shopify emphasizes the platform’s value in simplifying e-commerce operations for entrepreneurs across various industries.
His role as a brand ambassador involves promoting Shopify as an essential tool for entrepreneurs, allowing them to save time and money while focusing on other critical aspects of their businesses.
Celebrity collaborations
John has collaborated with various celebrities and entrepreneurs, showcasing his commitment to supporting innovative ventures and empowering individuals across different industries.
Some of his notable celebrity collaborations include;
Tami Latrell and The Mezzo Agency: Daymond John partnered with Tami Latrell, an entrepreneur making waves in the music industry, to empower music creators.
This collaboration highlights John’s support for individuals championing the rights of music creators and making a significant impact in the industry.
Green Book Global: John collaborated with Lawrence Philips and Green Book Global to create a platform for black travelers to navigate the world with confidence.
This partnership focuses on breaking barriers and providing resources for black travelers seeking unique travel experiences.
Hustle and Hope with Ashley Sutton: John’s collaboration with Ashley Sutton revolves around spreading inspiration through innovative greeting cards.
Sutton’s venture, Hustle and Hope, aligns with John’s mission of empowering individuals through creative and motivational content, showcasing their shared commitment to inspiring others.
Car collection
John’s car collection includes a variety of luxury vehicles that reflect his success and style.
Some of the cars in his collection are the Rolls Royce Phantom, Mercedes AMG G63, 2020 Ferrari GTC4 Lusso, Cadillac Escalade, Tesla Model S and Rezvani Vengeance #7777 Military Edition.
These cars showcase his diverse automotive preferences, ranging from luxury sedans to high-performance sports cars and unique armored vehicles, reflecting his success, personality and appreciation for fine automobiles.
Real estate properties
John has a diverse portfolio of real estate properties that includes both commercial and residential assets.
His success in real estate is attributed to his team and pool of investors who gain access to distressed properties and foreclosures before the public.
Additionally, John has collaborated with real estate professionals like Josh Altman, known for specializing in both residential and commercial real estate in Los Angeles.
Books
John has penned several influential books.
Some of his notable works include The Power of Broke: How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger for Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage and Rise and Grind: Outperform, Outwork, and Outhustle Your Way to a More Successful and Rewarding Life.
John’s books also include Powershift: How to Master the Three Prongs of Influence to Close Any Deal and Achieve Any Outcome, Little Daymond Learns to Earn and The Brand Within: The Power of Branding From Birth to the Boardroom.
These books cover a wide array of topics such as success strategies, branding and influence.
John also recommends books like Think and Grow Rich, Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, Blue Ocean Strategy and Who Moved My Cheese? for those seeking further inspiration.
Awards and recognition
John won 4 Emmy Awards for the show and has been nominated 9 times, winning Outstanding Reality Program from 2012 to 2014.
His investments in companies like Bomba socks and Sun-Staches led to significant sales increases.
John is the CEO of The Shark Group, a brand management firm, and a sought-after public speaker, addressing topics like entrepreneurship and branding.
He has authored several books and is a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship.
John’s work against dyslexia and involvement with organizations like the Yale Center for Dyslexia showcase his commitment beyond business.
Additionally, he has been recognized with awards such as Brandweek Marketer of the Year and the NAACP Entrepreneurs of the Year Award.
Family
John is a father of three daughters. His youngest daughter, Minka Jagger, was born to his wife Heather Taras.
He also has two older daughters, Yasmeen and Destiny, from a previous relationship.
While Minka is more visible on social media, Yasmeen and Destiny lead more private lives.
John has expressed his dedication to his daughters, emphasizing the importance of being present in their lives despite his busy schedule.
His eldest daughters have been praised for their accomplishments, with one graduating with a master’s degree in architectural design.
Heather Taras, John’s wife, is an entrepreneur and former nurse. The couple married in 2018 and have a daughter together.
Heather maintains an active lifestyle and shares glimpses of her life on social media while also valuing privacy.