Think of someone who has fundamentally shaped a culture, built a global empire from nothing, and now spends his time investing in the dreams of others. That’s Daymond John. Many of us know him as the sharp, insightful investor on the hit show Shark Tank, but his story starts long before the bright lights of television. It’s a story that begins on the streets of Hollis, Queens, with a vision and a whole lot of hustle.
Daymond’s journey is the classic tale of turning limitations into strengths. He founded the iconic apparel company FUBU (For Us, By Us) with a handful of handmade hats sold on a street corner, eventually growing it into a multi-billion dollar global brand. He did this not with a huge bank loan, but with relentless creativity and an unwavering belief in his mission. Working as a waiter at Red Lobster to pay the bills, he sewed, packaged, and delivered his products in the off hours, proving that your side hustle can become your main event if you pour enough passion into it.
His story is a powerful reminder for every creative and entrepreneur that the resources you have right now are enough to get started. Daymond’s work, from his bestselling books like The Power of Broke to his role as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship, is all built on this core belief. He demystifies success, breaking it down into actionable principles that anyone with a dream and the willingness to work for it can apply.
I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Daymond for my 30 Days of Genius series on CreativeLive. Our goal was simple: to unpack the mindset and the strategies that took him from zero to one, and then from one to a global phenomenon. We talked about everything from the humility of working a day job to support his dream to the specific goal-setting techniques he uses to this day. It was a masterclass in entrepreneurship, and the insights he shared are too valuable not to pass along.
Here are a few of Daymond John’s core ideas that you can apply to your own creative career, starting today.
1. Embrace the Power of Broke
One of the biggest myths in our industry is that you need money to make money. Daymond built his entire career proving that’s not true. He argues that having limited resources forces you to be innovative, efficient, and resourceful. When you don’t have a budget for traditional advertising, you get creative. For FUBU, that meant spray-painting their logo on the roll-down gates of stores across the East Coast, turning urban infrastructure into free billboards. Being broke makes you think differently and connect with your customer on a deeper level because you can’t afford to be wrong.
How to Apply This:
- Make Affordable Mistakes: Instead of seeking a huge investment for an unproven idea, start small. Test your product or service with a small batch or a limited audience. Learn from the feedback and iterate without risking it all.
- Use Your Limitations as a Creative Constraint: Can’t afford a fancy studio? Use natural light in a clever way. Don’t have a marketing budget? Focus on building a genuine community on one social media platform. Let your constraints guide your creativity.
- Stay Close to the Customer: When you’re starting out, you are your own sales, marketing, and customer service team. Daymond sold his first hats himself and got direct, unfiltered feedback. Use that direct connection to understand exactly what your audience wants.
2. Master Your “5-to-9”
The idea of quitting your job to go “all in” on your dream is a romantic one, but it’s often terrible advice. Daymond is a huge advocate for the “5-to-9,” the hours you dedicate to your passion after your “9-to-5” is done. He kept his job at Red Lobster for years while building FUBU. That paycheck kept the lights on, paid for his materials, and removed the desperation that can lead to bad decisions. Your day job provides stability, which gives your creative venture the breathing room it needs to grow organically.
How to Apply This:
- Schedule Your Passion: Be deliberate with your time. If you have two hours every night, block them out in your calendar. Treat your “5-to-9” with the same seriousness you treat your day job.
- Set Clear Milestones: Don’t just work endlessly. Set goals for your side project. Daymond used to set targets: after six months of putting in a certain number of hours per week, where did he expect to be? This helps you track progress and stay motivated.
- Know When to Leap: The goal is to eventually make the jump. Your side project should start generating enough revenue or traction that the decision becomes logical, not just emotional. You’ll know it’s time when the opportunity cost of not focusing on it full-time becomes too high.
3. Set Goals You Can Actually See
Daymond is a firm believer in the power of visualization and disciplined goal setting. He doesn’t just think about his goals; he writes them down and reads them every single morning and every single night. This practice keeps his objectives top of mind and influences the thousands of small decisions he makes every day. As he says, “You become what you think about most of the time.” By repeatedly programming his mind for what he wants to achieve, he makes it almost inevitable.
How to Apply This:
- Be Incredibly Specific: Don’t just write “I want to be a successful photographer.” Write “By July 10th, I will have booked three new clients for portrait sessions at a rate of $1,000 each by reaching out to 10 local businesses and revamping my online portfolio.”
- Create a Goal-Setting Ritual: Daymond reads 10 goals twice a day. Seven of them expire in six months, two in five years, and one in 20 years. This mix of short and long-term vision keeps him focused on the present while building for the future. Find a ritual that works for you and stick to it.
- Don’t Fear Failure, Track Progress: Daymond admits he often only accomplishes two or three of his seven short-term goals. But he doesn’t see it as failure. If he’s 30% of the way there, he’s 30% farther than he was before. He simply resets the goals and keeps moving forward. The point isn’t perfection; it’s progress.
PS – If you’re looking for a guide to help you build the life and career you’ve always wanted, the Seven Levers for Life is a free 7-day email course on just that.
