Daymond John

Poor people put a low value on themselves and their efforts. ”

I already have enough apparel businesses that are either doing well or not really doing anything at all, and I'm looking to broaden my portfolio. ”

I value an entrepreneur I can get behind and trust, because I know they are attempting to move forward in life. ”

Mentors don't have to be the Daymond Johns or the Mark Cubans. A person running a successful bodega or a tax firm in your community for the last 20 years, that person is working just as much as the individual who's running General Mills. ”

Most brands started from a strong base and kept a strong belief. ”

I think African Americans are resilient and hustlers by nature. I think they need to understand that you can take that hustle to the boardroom, but it has to be an education process. ”

I'm a firm believer in utilizing celebrities because they tap into people on an emotional basis. ”

An entrepreneur needs to know what they need, period. Then they need to find an investor who can build off whatever their weaknesses are - whether that's through money, strategic partnerships or knowledge. ”

A lot of times, I can put a product together with a distributor when I go into my Rolodex for distributors. I can then put it together with a face, such as an artist. And then I can go into my databank of retailers and people that I've been working with through the years of retail, and then also manufacturing. ”

Good grooming is integral and impeccable style is a must. If you don't look the part, no one will want to give you time or money. ”