Aug 21
Ten years ago I walked into the largest moving company in my city and begged for a job. The owner, a man I’ve admired for years, gave me a minimum wage job and I busted my ass until I moved up and learned the entire biz in 3 years. I opened my own joint and now I’m his biggest competitor!! I was always told to set my sights on the leader and knock them off the top. So should I push harder to knock him off cause ‘business is business’ or am I acting like crabs in the barrel? What do you think?
- TD, Houston
Nah, that’s not crabs in the barrel, it’s much worse!!! Crabs don’t intentionally help the other, they just try to pull each other down. In your case, he gave you your first chance and you advanced quickly. He could have ignored you or kept you in one department, so you could be neutralized and no threat. I would suggest do what real power players do. If you guys own the 2 biggest companies in town, form a 3rd company 50/50 each and snatch up all the business out there. In Kanye West’s new song “Big Brother” he described what “TRUE POWER” is when talking about Jay-Z, “If you admire somebody you should go ahead and tell ‘em. People never get the flowers while they are still here to smell ‘em.” Call your ex boss and mentor and get paid together!!!!
Regards,
Daymond John
Aug 21
I have a software company and I consistently develop product that kills the big guys. Just because their brands are known and mine is not, they get more recognition. Now they want to buy into my company and make me a division of their company. I would love to sell some of my products, but they insist I stay on! The problem is, I don’t want to work for anybody and developing my brand is just as important! So I find myself scared to talk to them. Please advise.
- Norman, Seattle, Wash.
You have a good problem! First of all, you are the brand! Not the product. We buy into Microsoft because we buy Bill Gates, the same with Warren Buffet, Steve Jobs, Spielberg, Trump, etc., etc. So if the brand (you) is afraid to negotiate then the brand will be afraid to act when hard times come. This is the reason the big guys want you to stay on, so you can update, and make the right moves in the company to change with the times. If freedom and your own brand name is what you want, then find a way to negotiate that with them. If they want you bad enough, they will make it work! TRUE POWER IS WHAT JFK ONCE SAID, “WE SHOULD NEVER NEGOTIATE OUT OF FEAR, BUT WE SHOULD NEVER FEAR TO NEGOTIATE.” See you at the top homie!
Daymond John
Aug 21
I’ve always wanted to start my own business, but I have kids to support and I like the things that come with my job like medical, 401k and a steady paycheck. If I start my own business, I could possibly fail and lose both the business and the security that I have become accustomed to. Please advise.
- Xiomara, Arizona
Don’t think you are so safe where you are working now! There are always cut backs, company mergers, or you could straight up get fired. You are POWERLESS in these decisions! The only thing you can be sure is that when you work for somebody else, you are working towards their dream and not your own!
If you start your own business, you can open your own 401k, and personally get medical for you and your employees. Research and slowly start the business at night or on the weekends you’re while still currently employed. Then you can make sure this is what you want to do. Remember, owning your own company has its set backs as well. Your employees hate you, you never sleep, every decision you are responsible for and you risk it all every day. The good part is, the challenge makes you feel alive! You can possibly become financially secure and there is nothing in the world like following your own dreams! It’s a sacrifice! TRUE POWER is to understand that “SACRIFICE IS GIVING UP SOMETHING OF LESSER VALUE FOR SOMETHING OF GREATER VALUE.” Good luck in your final decision.
Daymond John
Aug 21
My husband tries to open a new business every other year. He has tried it all – clothing, magazine, limo service, music producer, and even a modeling agency. But he always ends up quitting because he complains that his competition is luckier than him, that he never gets a break and nobody will help him. I support my man to the end, but he is becoming very bitter and makes the same mistakes time and time again. How can I help him? –Laurie, Tampa
Sounds like your husband is just trying to open businesses that he thinks will get him rich quick. If you open a business, it has to be your passion and not for the money … the money will come. First of all, a jack-of-all-trades is the master-of-none, so he needs to set one plan and stick to it. The second issue is that he has to stop hating on the competition! His competition loves when he is hating, cause the more he is thinking about them, the less he is paying attention to his own business. Finally, as for everybody else being lucky, TRUE POWER is to “UNDERSTAND THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS LUCK! LUCK IS WHEN PREPERATION, DESIRE AND FAITH MEET OPPORTUNITY.” You have to change his way of thinking before anything good will come in both business and life. I wish you guys the best!
Daymond John
Aug 21
I own 3 small Soul Food restaurants and now I’m ready to blow up and go nationwide. Several wealthy white investors have offered to invest and help me reach another level. My workers are telling me I would be a “sell out” if I work with them, and to “keep it real.” What do you think? – Delroy, Canton, Ohio
When FUBU was red hot!, we had several offers to sell but we didn’t take them because several people were saying we should “keep it real!” Well those same people are now the first ones to say, “I wouldn’t be caught dead in FUBU.” So you can’t pay attention to that. You have to consider if the investor’s money is needed, is it a good deal, and will you have control. If all those work for you, then get the deal poppin! As for selling out, what the hell are we in business for but to “sell out!” When a concert is sold out, a store is sold out of an inventory or a hotel is sold out of rooms – it’s always a great thing for the owner. The bottom line is the bottom line. True POWER is to “FORM ALLIANCES IN LIFE AND BUSINESS AND NOT JUDGE THEM UPON COLOR BUT UPON CHARACTER.” See ya at the top homie!
