Why you’re not Daymond John (and what you can do about it).
He’s the Shark everyone loves (versus another Shark who everyone loves to hate). Daymond John, “the people’s Shark” from ABC’s TV show Shark Tank, is many things: street smart, brand savvy, persistent, resourceful with talents, focused, big-hearted, and most notably gracious.
I mention this for a reason: with my new Amazon bestseller, Brand Intervention, there’s one thing that catches everyone’s attention. Daymond wrote the Foreword to my book.
The first question many ask me is, “How the hell did you pull that off?”
The Single Quality That Got Daymond John’s Attention
It goes back to 2012 when, in addition to creating brands 7 days a week, I was writing blog posts for Fast Company.
And I explain it here in this excerpt from a recent Huffington Post article:
“I’d written an article for my Fast Company column on the hit show Shark Tank, a TV show my wife and I loved. I was fascinated about why certain pitches won and others died on the show. So I wrote down the four qualities I saw amongst the winning pitches and the entrepreneurs who pitched them.
“After seeing my article, Daymond (who I didn’t know at the time) blew my mind and tweeted: ‘Best article ever written [on] Shark Tank…’
“THAT was freaking awesome. Of course, I retweeted it.
“Up to that point, Daymond and I didn’t know each other. Then one thing led to another and now we’re friends and collaborate on different things.
“So, when I started looking at writing the book, I asked Daymond about writing the Foreword, and his response was ‘Yes.’ ”
Why Delivering Value Caught Daymond John’s Eye
Too many businesses and entrepreneurs end when the true rock stars and leaders of business know that this is the exact point one actually starts.
In others words, the ability to truly scale any brand is to know when to lean on the big push.
The great brands know when to really turn on the turbo thrusters versus other lesser successful brands choose to stop, catch their breath, and pat themselves on the back.
Well, once Daymond initiated this validation of my article, I sent him a tweet initiating another article. The title of that article? “A Daymond is a girl’s best friend.” He was all in.
One quality was obvious: Daymond recognized and valued initiative and competence, and was always remarkably gracious about that.
Since then, I’ve written numerous articles about Daymond John.
In other words, I always looked at ways to contribute to his success and his ascent to greater levels of success and visibility.
What You Should Know About Rising To Power
When his last New York Times bestseller, The Power of Broke, came out, I originated writing another article to help promote it which I did.
Daymond took time out of his busy schedule to send me a signed copy of the book with a personal message out of the blue. I have a detailed account here.
I never asked for it.
He decided it himself.
This is the quality so many people admire about Daymond: his care and never forgetting those who helped him along the way, whether they are rising stars, fellow celebrities, or hopefuls.
And now Daymond is in launch mode for his newest book, Rise to Grind.
The Lesson About Rising To Power
I remember one discussion we had on a project we were working on.
When I mentioned we needed to shift gears and not continue in the same manner (or we wouldn’t be successful completing this project), Daymond’s response told me so much about his character: “That’s why you’re who you are and successful. You’re looking at what needs to happen to overcome any obstacles rather than merely remain frustrated with the problem.”
Daymond John was telling this to me! It remains one of the most memorable moments in our working relationship.
Which led me to asking Daymond to write the Foreword to Brand Intervention: 33 Steps to Transform the Brand You Have into the Brand You Need.
I am honored he agreed to support me in much the same way I’ve supported him. Maybe it was because we share the same roots of Brooklyn and Queens, or maybe it was simply leadership and mentorship in action.
Amazingly, within 2 days, my new book became #1 on Amazon in Hot New Releases and has dominated the top 6 positions since.
With reviews that have, candidly, blown my mind. Here an example of one:
“If you buy only one book on Branding, this is the one to get! If you buy 100, this should be the first.
My thanks go to Daymond for always recognizing the potential in whatever stage it may exist before him, and for his support in this newest chapter in my life—a quality I see amongst the best leaders in business, culture, and living itself.
And that’s what you need to know about Daymond John.
