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Daymond John

Daymond John is an American entrepreneur, investor, author, and television personality best known as the founder and CEO of FUBU and as an investor on ABC’s *Shark Tank*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Daymond John is an American entrepreneur, investor, author, and television personality best known as the founder and CEO of FUBU and as an investor on ABC’s *Shark Tank*. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, he built FUBU into a major global streetwear brand and later expanded into business consulting, speaking, and media. Through *Shark Tank* and his branding initiatives, John's work reaches Canadian audiences interested in entrepreneurship and small-business advice.

Early life

Daymond John was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Queens. Sources describe him as the child of Caribbean parents and note that he began working and selling products at a young age.

FUBU

John co-founded FUBU, short for “For Us, By Us,” in 1992. The brand grew from small-scale street sales into a major streetwear label associated with hip-hop culture and global retail success.

Shark Tank and media work

John joined ABC’s *Shark Tank* as an original cast member in 2009. He later became known for investing in businesses, giving brand advice, and appearing as a public business commentator.

Books and entrepreneurship work

John has written books on entrepreneurship and branding, including *The Power of Broke* and *Rise and Grind*. He also leads business and speaking initiatives through The Shark Group and related projects.

Key facts

  • John founded FUBU in the early 1990s and helped turn it into a globally recognized apparel brand.
  • He has been an investor on ABC’s *Shark Tank* since 2009.
  • He is also known as a branding expert, speaker, and author of business books.
  • His business career began in Brooklyn and Queens, where he started with very limited capital.
  • He has supported entrepreneurship initiatives, including Black Entrepreneurs Day.
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Canadian context

Daymond John is relevant to Canadian readers through North American business media, entrepreneurship culture, and *Shark Tank*'s broad popularity; his branding and small-business advice also reaches Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Daymond John?
He is an American entrepreneur, investor, author, and TV personality best known for founding FUBU and appearing on *Shark Tank*.
What is FUBU?
FUBU stands for “For Us, By Us” and is a streetwear clothing brand co-founded by Daymond John.
When was Daymond John born?
He was born on February 23, 1969.
What is Daymond John known for on television?
He is known as an investor and original cast member on ABC’s *Shark Tank*.
Has Daymond John written books?
Yes. He is credited with books on branding and entrepreneurship, including *The Power of Broke* and *Rise and Grind*.
What business does he run besides FUBU?
He is associated with The Shark Group, a consulting and branding firm.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/money/Daymond-John
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, occupation, spouse, children, FUBU, Shark Tank, and Black Entrepreneurs Day.
  2. ABChttps://abc.com/cast/0e9fe2b6-0ee5-4654-8de2-b08a7d0bcd9a
    Supports: Shark Tank role, FUBU background, CEO of The Shark Group, and business/branding work.
  3. The HistoryMakershttps://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/daymond-john-39
    Supports: Born in Brooklyn, Caribbean parents, and early biography.
  4. Because Of Them We Canhttps://becauseofthemwecan.com/trailblazers/daymond-john/
    Supports: FUBU founding context, Queens upbringing, early entrepreneurship, and later Shark Tank career.
  5. CNNhttps://www.cnn.com/2016/01/21/smallbusiness/daymond-john-shark-tank/index.html
    Supports: Early business history, FUBU background, and Shark Tank prominence.