Daymond John offers UB audience ‘shark points for success’

“Shark Tank” investor, entrepreneur and FUBU CEO Daymond John urged a UB audience to be comfortable with change as he delivered his five “shark points for success” during a Distinguished Speakers Series talk last Wednesday in the Center for the Arts.

John took the stage to roaring applause, his speech guided by a musical track chosen especially for his keynote.

“Change is always going to happen,” said John. “True entrepreneurs have to be ready for change.”

One of the most sought-after branding and marketing experts in the country, John is considered by many to be the consummate 21st-century renaissance business man. But his innovative use of business strategy has helped shape his rags-to-riches journey to success.

John greeted the crowd, acknowledging the students in the audience as “young sharks” before delving into his inspirational and motivational tips for success. He offered five “shark points,” each contributing to the acronym “shark.”

His first shark point: Set a goal

John related the story of a woman on maternity leave who was struggling to return to work. During her time off, she learned how to become a virtual assistant in order to stay home with her child while still earning an income.

“She doesn’t have to trek through the snow,” John said. “She can stay home with her child, and she makes more money than she’s ever made in her life. That’s because she set a goal, she did her homework. None of us in this audience is too good to set new goals.”

Born in Brooklyn, John was raised by a single mother working three jobs to support the family. In first grade, he began selling boxes of pencils to impress girls in his class. From that point, he said, he knew he would one day become a successful entrepreneur.

“My mother told me, ‘Responsibility is something that must be taken; it can’t be given. When you know that, you will become successful,’” John said.

Through hard work and perseverance, he built a successful clothing company, FUBU (For Us, By Us). The hip-hop apparel company originated from a batch of hats John made in his home in 1989.

After turning his home into a factory, John first got FUBU clothing into a small store on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. From there, FUBU reached Macy’s department stores, eventually grossing $350 million in annual worldwide sales.

Now, John boasts an impressive resume, which includes television personality, motivational speaker, best-selling author, Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship and founder of the Shark Group, a brand management and consulting firm.

“Before FUBU, it was BUFU. I didn’t do my homework, and it had a totally different meaning than I intended,” said John, laughing.

He outlined his second shark point as he spoke of the secret behind successful companies such as Airbnb and Uber.

Do your Homework, John said. “Part of that is knowing you’ll never create anything new in this world. A ‘snuggie’ is still a blanket with two holes in it. It’s all about coming up with new ways to deliver to your audience.”

John reflected on FUBU’s success and how he adjusted to a new, luxurious lifestyle where he rubbed elbows with the rich and famous. He said he began neglecting his role as a father before realizing what truly mattered, leading to his third shark point.

Amore: love what you’re doing.

My wife at the time made me realize what I was missing and what I was failing to value. I love my two little girls. That’s when I made the transition to entrepreneurship,” John told the audience.

He spoke of the offer he received to join the popular television show “Shark Tank” and stressed the investors’ message. “On the show we don’t invest in companies; we invest in people,” he said.

Remember, you personally are the brand, John said, citing his fourth shark point. Entrepreneurs can make their pitch important and vital by embracing the virtual and digital world we have grown accustomed to, he said.

“Life is a series of pitches. You pitch when you’re trying to get in the shower before your roommate, when you try to convince your kid to get on the school bus, when you order a latte at Starbucks.”

Bringing his talk to a close, John emphasized maintaining good physical health.

“Life is too short,” he said, speaking of his surgery for Stage 2 thyroid cancer in 2017.

“Early detection saved my life. It made me realize what my life has been defined by. Think about why you want to be here; why you want to stick around,” he said before making his final shark point.

Keep swimming. “Take care of yourself physically,” he said.

John repeated his five shark points to a standing ovation.