ACCENT Speakers Bureau at the University of Florida will bring branding guru and mogul Daymond John to campus Feb. 9. The event will be co-sponsored by the Black Student Union for Black History Month.
John authored two entrepreneurial books and is the founder of fashion company FUBU, in addition to co-starring on ABC’s hit show “Shark Tank.”
The program starts at 8 p.m. at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Doors open at 7 p.m.
John grew up in Hollis, Queens, where he founded his iconic fashion brand FUBU which stands for “For Us By Us.” FUBU established a market that was neglected by other clothing companies. After convincing LL Cool J to promote FUBU, the company grew to eventually record annual sales of $350 million.
In 2009, John joined the cast of “Shark Tank.” Accompanied by four other prominent executives, he listens to business pitches from people hoping to launch their company or product to new heights. The sharks have the option to invest their own money in the endeavors and become partners with the entrepreneurs. Millions tune in to see John use his entrepreneurial skills and experience to help young companies achieve success.
John’s first literary work was “Display of Power: How FUBU Changed A World Of Fashion, Branding And Lifestyle,” which tells the story of his journey and provides advice for success in business and in life. His second book, “The Brand Within: How We Brand Ourselves, From Birth To The Boardroom,” examines the relationships companies seek to establish with the public by attaching celebrities to their brands and the impulses consumers exhibit when purchasing a product.
In recognition of his contributions to fashion and American business, John has received several awards, including: Brandweek Marketer of the Year, the Advertising Age Marketing 1000 Award for Outstanding Ad Campaign, Crain’s Business of New York Forty Under Forty Award, and Ernst & Young’s New York Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
