From Selling Candies to Building a Billion-Dollar Empire

Daymond John’s story begins in Hollis, Queens, New York — a neighborhood filled with hip-hop beats, cultural energy, and, at times, economic hardship. Born in 1969, Daymond was raised by his mother after his parents divorced. Money was tight, but his mother instilled in him the value of hard work and creativity.

From a young age, Daymond showed entrepreneurial spirit. In elementary school, he sold pencils to classmates. By his teens, he was working multiple jobs — from handing out flyers to waiting tables — while still finding ways to make extra cash on the side.

The idea that would change his life came in the early 1990s. The streets of Queens were alive with a new wave of hip-hop culture, and fashion was a key part of the movement. Baggy jeans, oversized shirts, and bold designs were in demand. But many popular brands were expensive and out of reach for local youth. Daymond saw an opportunity.

With just $40 worth of fabric, Daymond and his mother began sewing hats in their living room. He sold them on the streets of Queens, sometimes making hundreds of dollars in a single day. Encouraged by the response, Daymond expanded to shirts and jerseys, branding them with three bold letters: FUBU — “For Us, By Us.” The name spoke directly to the urban community and resonated deeply.

Daymond didn’t have a marketing budget, but he had something even better: connections in the hip-hop world. He convinced friends and local artists to wear his clothes in music videos and public appearances. Soon, FUBU gear was showing up on some of the biggest names in rap — LL Cool J famously wore a FUBU hat in a Gap commercial, slyly boosting the brand to millions of viewers.

The buzz exploded. Orders started pouring in, but Daymond didn’t have the resources to fulfill them. That’s when his mother mortgaged their home to give him $100,000 in startup capital — a huge risk that would ultimately pay off.

Daymond worked tirelessly, traveling to trade shows, negotiating deals, and learning the ropes of the fashion industry. By the late 1990s, FUBU had become a cultural phenomenon, generating over $350 million in annual sales at its peak.

But Daymond’s success wasn’t just about making money — it was about empowerment. FUBU represented pride in urban culture and sent the message that you could create something for your community, by your community, and still achieve global recognition.

As fashion trends evolved, Daymond diversified his business interests. He became a branding expert, author, and motivational speaker. In 2009, he joined the cast of Shark Tank, where he invested in dozens of startups and inspired millions of viewers with his no-nonsense advice and belief in hard work.

Daymond’s journey from street vendor to multimillionaire investor is proof that success doesn’t come from where you start, but from how you think, act, and persevere. He once said, “The easiest thing to sell is truth.” For him, the truth was believing in his vision, even when no one else did.

Today, Daymond John continues to mentor young entrepreneurs, advocate for financial literacy, and remind the world that a hustler’s heart, combined with discipline and vision, can build an empire.

Success is not just about reaching a destination; it’s about the journey, the growth, and the lessons learned along the way. True success comes from setting goals, staying persistent through challenges, and believing in yourself even when the odds seem against you. It’s about turning failures into stepping stones and celebrating small victories as much as big ones. Success isn’t defined by wealth or fame, but by the impact you make, the happiness you find, and the person you become. Keep pushing forward — your success story is waiting to be written.