During an exclusive interview at Global Alts Miami on March 7, 2025, Daymond John, a prominent mentor on Shark Tank and founder of the iconic clothing brand FUBU, shared valuable insights about his entrepreneurial journey and the significance of customer service.
With a background rooted in hip-hop culture from the mid-1980s, Daymond articulated how his passion for music influenced his foray into the fashion industry. He likened hip-hop to the modern social media landscape, serving as a vital communication tool for his community. This unique perspective helped shape his approach to branding and marketing.
Building Successful Customer Relationships
Daymond emphasized that FUBU’s success was not solely due to innovative designs, but primarily the effective branding and marketing strategies he implemented. One pivotal tactic was dressing rappers in FUBU apparel during video shoots, which created significant visibility for the brand. Reflecting on this experience, he stated,
“The greatest lesson I think that I took away from establishing FUBU is that the culture of the person that you are selling to, you have to be of service to them.”
He further expounded on the importance of nurturing genuine relationships. When discussing how he garnered substantial funding, Daymond noted the critical role of making clients feel valued and special. He remarked,
“Relationships, right? That’s all it is. How do you make them feel so special, have an edge, care about them, speak to them, listen to them.”
Daymond underscored his belief that continuous service to customers is essential for long-term success. As he explained,
“You have to wake up every morning and say how can I be a better person of service to them, and every single day that they’ll wake up and they’ll talk about you when you’re not in the room.”
This commitment to serving customers forms the bedrock of effective entrepreneurship, according to John.
Insights from Early Life and Values
In the interview, Daymond also reflected on his early life experiences, stating,
“I’m a little, little brown dyslexic boy who didn’t have a great education. I mean, the only thing notable I did in school is that I liked the seventh grade so much, I took it twice.”
He stressed the importance of forming genuine connections and being attentive to others. Daymond shared that his most important skill was the ability to care for his health and longevity. By focusing on “biohacking”his body, he aims to live long enough to see his three daughters walk down the aisle.
Balancing his commitments, Daymond highlighted that finding time for family, faith, and personal interests remains a priority for him. Notably, he revealed a lesser-known aspect of his life—his passion for preparedness. He shared,
“Twenty years ago, I believed disruptions could happen from fires, hurricanes, snowstorms, strikes, or even accidents like a ship running into a bridge, causing two weeks to a month of chaos.”
John emphasized that his approach to preparedness is practical, focusing on ensuring access to essentials like food, shelter, and communication tools during emergencies. He humorously added that he would be interested in acquiring some beef jerky, should anyone have it on hand.
Catch Daymond John on the latest season of Shark Tank, airing every Friday on ABC.