Lemonade Day wants to help create the world’s next generation of entrepreneurs. To inspire kids, parents, and mentors to join our cause, we decided to spotlight some of the amazing entrepreneurs that are transforming our country, culture, and economy.

How to Be Become a Fashion Entrepreneur

This is the first entry in this series and we decided to start it with Daymond John, self-made mogul and millionaire. A native of New York City, John started his first business after graduating high school. He made his name and fortune when he founded FUBU, a clothing company. Of course, that’s just the beginning of his story.

Finding the Inner Entrepreneur

While attending high school in Queens, New York, John entered a program that allowed him to attend school and hold a full time job at the same time. According to an interview with “The History Makers”, John credits this program with finding his entrepreneurial spirit. This drive and work ethic would help in the early years after graduation. John worked as a waiter at Red Lobster while working on his first business, a commuter van service.

Finding the Right Idea

By 23, John had stumbled upon the idea to make his own clothing line and began making hats, sweaters, and hockey jerseys in his mother’s basement. The real secret was marketing his clothing under the “FUBU” brand (the word is commonly accepted as an acronym of “for us, by us”). This venture didn’t come without risk, of course. Daymond’s mom actually mortgaged her house to raise $100,000 to finance the new company.

His first big break came in 1994, when hip hop superstar and actor (and neighborhood friend) LL Cool J started publically supporting the brand. In one well known story, the rapper appeared in a commercial for rival clothing company, The Gap, but managed to wear a FUBU hat. LL Cool J also rapped the lines, “for us, by us, on the low” as a hidden signal to the fans supporters. In an interview, John said that campaign cost $30 million for The Gap and resulted in major publicity for FUBU. As a result of such marketing successes, the company catapulted to global success. By 1998, FUBU had reached $350 million in annual sales and is still going strong today though John has expanded his focus to become an investor and mentor to up and coming entrepreneurs.

Shark Tank, Bee Sweet Lemonade, and Books

In 2009, Daymond John joined the cast of Shark Tank in its first season. As of 2015, he has invested more than $7.5 million in projects and companies that have appeared on the show. Among his many investments was $60,000 to Mikaila Ulmer, an alumni of Lemonade Day. She created Bee Sweet Lemonade, an all natural drink sweetened with locally sourced honey. The product is now available in Whole Foods Stores across six states. Oh, and Mikaila was only 10 years old when she appeared on Shark Tank!

In addition to his businesses and investments, John has also become a noted motivational speaker and author. His two books, “The Brand Within” and “Display of Power” detail his life and techniques for succeeding in business. In a March 2015 speech in Midland, Texas, John told the audience, “It takes the same energy to think small as it does to think big. You must think big. But take affordable steps. Don’t be in a rush. Don’t go in and risk everything. Every overnight success has taken 15 years.”