Daymond John of “Shark Tank” Featured at SJSU’s Insights Speaker Series
World-renowned business person, investor and television personality Daymond John spoke with a small group of entrepreneurship students at SJSU’s Insights Speaker Series on Tuesday. The event was held in person for the first time since 2019. Photo by Robert C. Bain.
San José State University’s Insights Speaker Series returned live on September 27 at the Hammer Theatre with Daymond John, the founder, president and chief executive officer of FUBU and co-star on ABC’s five-time Emmy-Award winning series, “Shark Tank.” The last time the event was held was prior to the start of the global pandemic.
John shared his unique goal-setting and achievement strategies — fundamental principles he calls his “five S.H.A.R.K. points for success” — to help empower audience members to make positive changes in every aspect of their lives. Following the event, a select group of business students met exclusively with John and asked questions about entrepreneurship.
“It means a lot. It’s rewarding to share my experiences and brag about some of my mistakes, so these aspiring entrepreneurs can learn from them,” said John. “And, honestly, I learn a lot talking and meeting with students. The benefits are symbiotic, I think.”
John on stage at the Hammer Theatre as part of the Insights Speaker Series.
The Insights Speaker Series is a recurring university-wide event, held in partnership with the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business, that exposes the San José State community to a variety of perspectives in the areas of economics, business and global affairs. The series is made possible through the support of the Valley Foundation. Former speakers include former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and celebrated economists and authors Robert Reich and Ben Stein.
“We were thrilled to host Daymond John as part of the Insights Speaker Series,” said Marco Pagani, interim dean of the Lucas College. “His expertise is invaluable to our students, particularly as they consider launching their own business ventures.”
About Daymond John
An entrepreneur in every sense of the word, John has come a long way from taking out a $100,000 mortgage on his mother’s house and moving his business operation into its basement. John is CEO and founder of FUBU, a revered global lifestyle brand, and a pioneer in the fashion industry with over $6 billion in product sales worldwide.
Former President Barack Obama also appointed John a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE) to harness his energy, ideas and experience to help develop the next generation of entrepreneurs at home and abroad.
John has been a phenomenally successful business person for over 25 years. Along his entrepreneurial journey — through his many successes as well as failures — John has learned a few things about getting the best out of business and life, which he developed into his “S.H.A.R.K. points” as a guide for success.
