# FUBU: Daymond John

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2018-04-09
- Length: 51m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-04-09-fubu-daymond-john

## Summary

Daymond John, founder of FUBU, explains how he started the hip-hop apparel brand by sewing labels onto Champion shirts and selling hats from the trunk of his car in Hollis, Queens. After facing 27 bank rejections for a $300,000 order, he secured a manufacturing and distribution deal with Samsung’s textile division by placing a classified ad, which allowed FUBU to scale to $350 million in sales. John details his transition from a street vendor to a major brand, leveraging strategic partnerships and licensing deals with companies like George Ash to expand into women's clothing and accessories.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-04-09-fubu-daymond-john#t=0) Introduction: Daymond John and FUBU
- [2:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-04-09-fubu-daymond-john#t=127) Growing up in Hollis and Early Influences
- [10:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-04-09-fubu-daymond-john#t=631) Starting FUBU: Hats, Labels, and Street Sales
- [18:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-04-09-fubu-daymond-john#t=1099) Sourcing Goods and Improving Product Quality
- [26:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-04-09-fubu-daymond-john#t=1589) The Magic Trade Show and Financing Crisis
- [30:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-04-09-fubu-daymond-john#t=1858) Samsung Deal and In-House Manufacturing
- [37:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-04-09-fubu-daymond-john#t=2264) Scaling with Retailers and Licensing Deals
- [43:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-04-09-fubu-daymond-john#t=2590) Brand Evolution and Shark Tank Career

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- FUBU (product)
- Samsung (company)
- Champion (product)
- Red Lobster (company)
- Shark Tank (product)
- Video Music Box (product)
- Magic Trade Show (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Bootstrapped to 800,000 Units Sold Worldwide: The Story Behind Rockit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/its-only-a-prototype/2025-04-17-bootstrapped-to-800-000-units-sold-worldwide-the-story-behind-rockit) (It's Only a Prototype)
- [002: Prototyping, Manufacturing & Selling a Men's Shirt Accessory](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-03-09-002-prototyping-manufacturing-selling-a-mens-shirt-accessory) (Product Startup)
- [Against All Odds: Overcoming Huge Setbacks to Sell 5 Million Worldwide](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/its-only-a-prototype/2025-05-15-against-all-odds-overcoming-huge-setbacks-to-sell-5-million-worldwide) (It's Only a Prototype)
- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 3  - Robert Brunner](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-08-28-afterschool-podcast-episode-3-robert-brunner) (Core77 Podcast)
- [Hippy Feet is the coolest company you haven't heard about until now! Michael Mader, CEO](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-11-05-hippy-feet-is-the-coolest-company-you-havent-heard-about-until-now-michael-mader) (People of Packaging)

## Citing this page

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