Daymond John wants entrepreneurs to reframe the narrative around working a 9-to-5.
John, an investor, founder, and judge on “Shark Tank,” has invested in dozens of businesses, including Bombas Socks, which has been his most lucrative investment to date, according to Parade.
FUBU
In addition to investing in other businesses, John also started one of his own. He is the founder of FUBU (For Us, By Us), a streetwear brand launched in 1992 in Hollis, Queens, NY. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, John received $100,000 in support from his mother, who took a loan out on her mortgage to support the business.
Mindset Around A 9-to-5
Prior to his mother’s support, John worked at Red Lobster for years to fund FUBU. In a tweet shared on X, he stated that the experience prepared him for his entrepreneurial pursuits and investments.
“I worked at Red Lobster for years while building FUBU. Not because I didn’t believe in my dreams. Because it was smart. That job: Taught me sales and inventory, paid my bills, bought fabric and materials for my business. People don’t realize it, but sometimes the day job is your first investor. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t have the means to quit your job right away. Use it as fuel for your dreams and goals. Build slow if you have to,” he said in the post.
A visual accompanying the post stated, “Your 9-5 is not your prison. Its your first investor.”
His mindset has paid off. FUBU has earned more than $6 billion in lifetime sales, according to Entrepreneur. In 2000, FUBU expanded its focus to international markets with locations in Europe and Asia, notes John’s website.
