March 21, 2019 – MySweetCharity – Jeanne Prejean
When asked his #1 piece of advice, Shark Tanker Daymond John’s answer is simply “Never stop learning.” While the self-made multi-millionaire never went to college (“I couldn’t afford it.”), his education came from every day encounters.
According to Daymond, “While working at Red Lobster, I was always listening, asking questions and learning about the business from wait staff, shift managers, and customers. I learned the fundamentals: customer service, inventory control, employee management, and more.”
Growing up in Hollis, Queens, he juggled high school with jobs at Red Lobster and starting a commuter van service. During the 1980s when crack was turning many of his friends into drug dealers and some losing their lives, the 20-something “started a global movement from the basement of his mother’s house by capitalizing on the then fledgling hip-hop culture.” The effort resulted in the international fashion line FUBU that would eventually “eclipsed more than $6B in global retail sales.”
Ironically, while he was still waiting tables at Red Lobster, “rappers were wearing his cloths in music videos and on the red carpets.”
Looking back, he attributes this attitude to “his mom [Margot John] who worked multiple jobs to put food on the table.” She also taught him how to sew and mortgaged their houseto generate start-up capital.
Today in addition to being on “Shark Tank,” the 50-year-old Daymond is considered the “Godfather of Urban Fashion” and “one of the most sought-after branding experts and keynote speakers in fashion and business.”
2019 Gateway To Opportunity Luncheon Co-Chairs Juanita Harris and Selwyn Rayzor have arranged to have Daymond on stage for the Family Gateway fundraiser on Thursday, September 26, at the Omni Dallas Hotel.
To make Daymond feel right at home, his fellow Shark Tanker Mark Cuban and his wife Tiffany Cuban are serving as honorary co-chairs.
Like last year’s speaker Magic Johnson, Daymond is a role model for youths having little and being able to achieve greatness. So, consider having a youngster or two at your table.
Sponsorships and tickets are available here.
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