This story has expert branding and resourcefulness written all over it. It represents everything I love about savvy representation and focusing of the niche market. Mr. MacDonald took advantage of something (people’s willingness to give away valuable things for items they alone have interest in) to propel himself upwards. To him I say well done. You inspired me with you ingenuity.

It’s important to keep an eye on the competition, but you can never stress out over what they have accomplished. What happened, happened. And the sooner you get back to work after a loss the quicker you get to a win. The most skilled and cool-headed businessmen will use that sting of defeat to push them and their team to achievement the next time around.

However, once you bring the person on, it’s now up to you to groom them to be a functioning member of the team. After they have been integrated you must make clear their role, their purpose and your expectations. Leaving colleague to languish without direction is a two-fold problem.

You might have already seen the behind-the-scenes pictures, but below are clips from Daymond’s appearance on the Bloomberg show Venture. In the interview, he talks about a variety of topics, including the lessons he has learned over the years at FUBU, what really matters in the Venture Capitalism world, and what he plans on doing next.

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

I talk about this in my book, but these are just a few examples of people that have become their own brands. It doesn’t always happen over night (or while you are alive). It’s a process that takes place out of your hands, and it begins when you become larger than life in a way.

An alternative to this is to have someone you trust take the role. If you’re too close to the project, it’s always preferable to have someone else give you their opinion of how to trim the fat. So long as you listen to that person you will most likely be doing the right thing, even if it hurts to modify your work. Never underestimate the importance of a fresh perspective.

Either you’re a manger or you’re managed. Either you give the orders or you take them. Which ever end of the spectrum you are on you know that there are rewards for productivity and punishments for stagnation. One of your most important duties as a leader is to inspire those you lead.

Setting the example is the standard for anyone in a leadership position. As is maintaining a professional distance from you subordinates while still including them in group achievements. Focus on yourself and your team as two parts of a whole.

Success only comes before work in the dictionary. If you go in the world of business thinking that you’re going to be plucked out of your everyday way of life and become a instant success without years of hard work then you are sorely misinformed, my friend.  No one is going to spend the time to make you their protégé and groom you to take over in an important capacity if you have not shown that you deserve the opportunity.

That kind of one in a million shot is the stuff of Hollywood movies. You can never expect anything to be given to you. By anticipating your career to be a difficult progression, you’ll be prepared for the hard times and unfazed by the easy ones.

Henry Ford said “A business that makes nothing but money is a poor kind of business”.  Steve Jobs said, “I want to put a ding in the universe”. Jay-Z said “I’m not a businessman. I’m a business, man.” What do you say?

At the same time that you are learning about them, they are learning about you, and the more remarkable you make your interaction, the more prominent you will be to them. It’s the same principal as a business card: stand out, be represented accurately and be memorable. Your conduct will determine whether or not you get that call or not.