Entrepreneur, 'Shark Tank' Star Daymond John to Offer Keys to Success

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Daymond John

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Daymond John is probably best known for his role in Shark Tank, where he is one of the panel of investors judging business pitches from everyday people. Before he joined Emmy award-winning show in 2009, however, John was already recognized as a brilliant fashion entrepreneur and a master of branding.

John will share his “Five S.H.A.R.K Points – the Fundamental Keys to Success” as part of the student-sponsored Distinguished Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Fayetteville Town Center on the downtown Fayetteville square.

The event is free, open to the public, and no ticket is required. Shuttle buses will be available to take students from campus to the event and back to campus.

Daymond John was in his early 20s when he got some friends together and started FUBU — it stands for “for us, by us” — in his mother’s basement in Queens, New York. From that humble beginning he built a $5 billion global fashion powerhouse. A key to his success was his pioneering integration of fashion, culture, music and branding.

John is now considered something of 21st century renaissance businessman. In addition to FUBU and Shark Tank he runs Shark Branding, consulting for some of the top companies in the world.

John was recently named a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship, and continues to be a Friday night mainstay the two-time Emmy Award winning series, Shark Tank.  He is also a two-time best bestselling author and earlier this month released his third book, The Power of Broke: How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger For Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage.

The Distinguished Lecture Series is a student-sponsored program. Speakers are chosen by a committee of students, faculty and staff, and the events are funded by a student-approved fee, appropriated by the Programs Allocation Board.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.