Daymond John

Daymond John is a judge on ABC's show Shark Tank, which returns to TV on Friday, Jan. 8 at 9 p.m. He spoke recently with TheCelebrityCafe.com's Allison Manchel about the show, his FUBU clothing brand, and what it takes to make it in business. You can follow Daymond on Twitter at @thesharkdaymond

Allison Manchel: What inspired you to start FUBU?

Daymond John: I'm a really big fan of fashion and hip-hop. I used to go on tour as a roadie with LL Cool J and people would buy the clothes off our back. I figured there was a market and I loved sharing the clothes with everybody so that's how it initially started.

AM: You started off selling top hats on the streets of New York, and now you are the founder of FUBU. Do you have any advice for aspiring fashion designers?

DJ: I mean I always say to know the business that you're getting into first of all. That means if you don't have money or means in the formal way, intern or do whatever you have to do to learn the business because a lot of times people have a love for something and don't know the structure. The only thing more expensive than education is ignorance.

AM: People call you the "Godfather of Urban Fashion." How do you feel about that, and do you think you live up to the title?

DJ: I'm obviously honored that they call me that. That's not a title I put on myself.

AM: How did you get involved with Shark Tank?

DJ: Mark Burnett and his producers saw me on The Big Idea with Donnie Deutsch and other business shows where people were pitching me deals, and they saw I could break down the elevator pitch in a short amount of time. I was a perfect fit for it.

AM: What's been the most successful business that you have given money to?

DJ: It's a little too early to gauge what's the most successful, but the three that are at the top would be Mr. Todd's Pies, because he went on to QVC and sold a large amount of pies, Treasure Chest Pets has a great invention and has been selling a lot, and Plus Size Woman has been dressing the girl from Precious and has been getting a lot of orders coming in. All three of those have a good amount of customers in their own way.

AM: What have been some of the more creative entrepreneurs that you've seen on the show?

DJ: I saw some ideas that really blew my mind. There was one with a virtual sphere to be sold to armies and recruitment stations. It was over my head. There was one that I lost; Barbara took that deal from me. It was a patent idea to be able to watch cribs. That was a great idea.

AM: What can viewers look forward to when Shark Tank comes back?

DJ: I think that in the next couple of shows airing I get more deals. There are definitely more of the fights. A lot of times the viewers like to see the fights between the sharks themselves and we get into a couple heated fights. A lot of people are faced with the fact do they really want to put a price on the dream and how much are they willing to give up.

AM: What shark do you get along the least with? The most?

DJ: I think we all get into arguments with Kevin O'Leary, the mean Kevin. I would say I get along with best with Barbara because I've done more deals with her. We're out for ourselves. We may be cool with each other but don't get in my way. They're my competition; I may respect them but don't get in my way.

AM: What has been your most memorable moment on the show?

DJ: I think when the guy was throwing knives at me, and the knife just barely missed my arm.