# FUBU: Daymond John (2018)

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2019-11-04
- Length: 53m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-11-04-fubu-daymond-john-2018

## Summary

Daymond John, founder of FUBU, recounts building a hip-hop apparel empire from $40 of fabric, detailing his journey from selling hats on street corners to securing a pivotal manufacturing and distribution deal with Samsung. He explains how he overcame a lack of financial literacy and 27 bank rejections by leveraging his mother's equity and using 'other people's money' (OPM) to scale production. The episode covers FUBU's rapid growth to $350 million in sales through licensing and strategic brand positioning, as well as John's later transition to media via Shark Tank.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-11-04-fubu-daymond-john-2018#t=0) Introduction: Daymond John and FUBU
- [3:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-11-04-fubu-daymond-john-2018#t=190) Early Life and the Idea for FUBU
- [12:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-11-04-fubu-daymond-john-2018#t=752) Selling Hats and Sourcing Blank Apparel
- [23:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-11-04-fubu-daymond-john-2018#t=1394) Scaling via Bodyguards and Ralph McDaniels
- [27:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-11-04-fubu-daymond-john-2018#t=1663) The Magic Trade Show and Financing Crisis
- [33:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-11-04-fubu-daymond-john-2018#t=1982) Samsung Deal and In-House Manufacturing
- [38:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-11-04-fubu-daymond-john-2018#t=2311) Overcoming Bias and Licensing Growth
- [43:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-11-04-fubu-daymond-john-2018#t=2611) Brand Evolution and Shark Tank

## 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)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- FUBU (product)
- Samsung (company)
- Red Lobster (company)
- Shark Tank (product)
- Champion (product)
- Timberland (product)
- Adidas (product)
- Run DMC (product)
- Video Music Box (product)
- Ralph McDaniels (other)
- Teddy Riley (other)
- Magic Trade Show (other)
- Burlington (company)
- TJ Maxx (company)
- Stemple Creek Ranch (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Shark Tank, Sea Moss, and an Ocean of Potential with Alexiou Gibson (2022)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-01-03-shark-tank-sea-moss-and-an-ocean-of-potential-with-alexiou-gibson-2022) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [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)
- [008: Temporary Face Masks & Surviving Shark Tank, Doug Marshall of The Game Face Company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-05-17-008-temporary-face-masks-surviving-shark-tank-doug-marshall-of-the-game-face-com) (Product Startup)
- [220: How Storytelling Drives Consumer Product Sales](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-05-220-how-storytelling-drives-consumer-product-sales) (Product Startup)
- [Founder Fundraising Journey: Craig Dubitsky, Happy Products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-04-18-founder-fundraising-journey-craig-dubitsky-happy-products) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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