by Sakita Holley

The beauty of studying successful entrepreneurs is that you can learn what took them 30, 40 and sometimes 50 years to learn in a matter of hours. And no matter what industry you’re focused on, you can always find that common thread that links everyone together.

So even when you think business owners like Tiffani Bell, Daymond John, Jacqueline Nwobu and Damone Roberts are worlds apart in terms of experience in the game, you’ll find that they all share at least one or more of the following attributes.

1. Passionately curious
Most entrepreneurs have an insatiable appetite for information about their field and related industries because they are always searching for that tiny nuance or lingering question that could lead to their next big break.

2. Have a great team
No self-made man ever got that way on his own, which is why most successful people in business surround themselves with individuals that are often more intelligent and capable than they are. Oh, and then they delegate which is a huge reason why it seems like they are able to do it all.

3. The right to be wrong
They say that the fastest way to get to success is to experience your fair share of failures. Because if you’re not failing then that means you’re not taking any risks.

4. Laser-like vision and focus
The most revered business owners are known for sticking to their plan no matter what is happening around them. When the proverbial blinders are on, no industry change or economic volatility can deter them.

Daymond John recalled how when he was building his Fubu brand in New York over twenty years ago, he didn’t know of too many networking events that fostered community amongst African-American entrepreneurs and business professionals. So it was no surprise to see John and other moguls and professionals like Ryan Mack and Russell Simmons in attendance of Verizon Wireless’ empowerment event in New York City. They were there to pay it forward and TAP correspondent Eno Alfred was there to get their thoughts on their own impressive careers.

It’s been almost 20 years since Daymond John founded the game-changing fashion line Fubu, and the man is still doing his thing. Currently, you can see John on the reality show Shark Tank, judging and guiding the business dreams of prospective entrepreneurs.  The Atlanta Post caught up with the author, investor, media personality and entrepreneur at the Reality Rocks event in Los Angeles. Check out what he had to say about his current endeavors.

(NY Times) — An entrepreneur’s first pitch meeting with venture capitalists is many things — risky, nerve-wracking, potentially lucrative if the idea sells. But is it good television? Daymond John hopes so. He’s a co-star of ABC’s “Shark Tank,” a reality show that is giving venture capital the “American Idol” treatment. In each episode, a handful of entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas — which range from magnetic collar stays to single-serving wine containers — to a panel of angel investors, or “sharks,” who decide whether or not to back the start-ups with their own cash in exchange for stakes in the businesses. The series, produced by Mark Burnett, is based on “Dragons’ Den,” a British series that was first broadcast in 2005.

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On Thursday June, 03 2010 top African-Americans from the business world gathered at The New York Times building for the 2010 NV Awards. Every year, NV Magazine salutes leaders and visionaries that demonstrate excellence in their industry. Daymond John, Fubu founder and Jacque Reid, radio personality and star of VH1′s “Let’s Talk About Pep” were the evening’s hosts. The honorees included; Pharrell Williams, Mimi Valdés, D’Wayne Edwards, Richard Dent III, Robert A. Marchman, Johnita Due, Cory Booker and many more. Check out TAP’s flipbook of the 2010 NV Awards.

(MarketWire) — Daymond John, one of the business savvy entrepreneurs on ABC’s “Shark Tank” and the founder of the FUBU fashion line and VH1′s reality show “Let’s Talk About Pep” star Jacque Reid, who is also an award-winning journalist and an on-air personality for the “D.L. Hughley Morning Show” and the “Tom Joyner Morning Show,” will host the NV Awards 2010 salute to urban professionals and entrepreneurs. The lead sponsors for the affair are Jaguar Cars, American Airlines and Moet Hennessy.

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(Portfolio.com) — You have to be able to describe your brand in three words, says Daymond John, one of the co-founders of the successful apparel line FUBU and part of the panel of tycoons on ABC’s Shark Tank.

“If it’s BMW, it’s fine, German, engineering,” John says. “If it’s TBS, it’s ‘we know drama.’” When asked to describe Brand Daymond, the 41-year-old simply says “thinker, morality, determination.” The thinker element he attributes to his mom, who encouraged him “to think big and keep an open mind.” The morality aspect he learned the hard way by hanging out with a less-than-savory crowd growing up in New York City. And determination is one that others use to describe him.

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(BrandWeek) FUBU, a clothing brand that hasn’t been widely available in the U.S. for the better part of a decade, is back with a new name and viral campaign riffing on Apple’s “I’m a Mac” ads.

Now known as FB Legacy, the brand has loaded the videos on its Web site. The digital-only effort spotlights the new brand identity and clothing collection as “sportswear for the modern man that will compliment any wardrobe,” said FUBU founder Daymond John.

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