How to have a successful crowdfunding campaign

Daymond John highlights a 2019 survey showing that 74% of social media users follow brands and 96% interact with them. He emphasizes that your personal brand is inseparable from your business brand, and transparency is key. He shares a past experience with FUBU not advertising charitable work, leading to backlash, contrasting it with today's environment where consumers want to know what brands are doing. He advises listening to consumers, citing an example of how he corrected a typo based on follower feedback, illustrating how free advice can improve your brand image. He concludes by urging listeners to leverage social media to their advantage.

Daymond introduces 'Remember the Name' by Fort Minor as his motivational song for the week. He reads the lyrics: 'This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill, fifteen percent concentrated power of will, five percent pleasure, and fifty percent pain, and a hundred percent the reason to remember the name.' He reflects on the pain and sacrifices involved in achieving success, drawing a parallel to the challenges parents face for their children. He suggests that while people often seek a 'recipe for success,' this song's lyrics offer a realistic formula.

Daymond introduces Joseph from Black 6 Coffee, a veteran-owned coffee company funding the Black 6 Project, which provides humanitarian aid during disaster relief. Joseph explains that Black 6 Coffee started after noticing coffee trees during a disaster relief mission in the Philippines. The company aims to import unique coffee to the US, supporting farmers and bringing veterans and first responders on humanitarian missions. Joseph discusses their 'roast to order' model for freshness and how they pivoted during COVID-19 to provide meals to frontline workers in New York City, collecting donations primarily through social media and their network.

Joseph asks Daymond about the challenges of selling a brand like FUBU within one's own community. Daymond explains that sometimes you need to gain appreciation elsewhere before your home community recognizes your value, similar to how Bob Marley gained fame outside Jamaica before being celebrated there. He recounts his early struggles with FUBU in Hollis, Queens, where he faced skepticism due to the perception of fashion. He found his first customers among 'skateboarding grunge Nirvana loving kids in Seattle, Washington' and used this external validation to gain respect from local stores.

Joseph shares that his coffee shop was looted during protests, leading them to close and consider crowdfunding for a coffee van that also serves as a disaster relief vehicle. Daymond offers advice on crowdfunding, emphasizing that it's similar to launching any product. He suggests researching successful campaigns, networking with their creators, and starting promotion three months in advance through marketing and press. He stresses the importance of making initial sales through friends and family to build momentum, as people are more likely to support campaigns with existing traction. He also highlights the forgiving nature of customers when a mission-driven business faces delays due to high demand.

Joseph asks Daymond what song embodies Hollis, Queens. Daymond finds the question challenging due to his deep connection to the neighborhood and the many artists from there, including LL Cool J, Run DMC, Lost Boyz, Ja Rule, and Waka Flocka Flame. He shares a humorous anecdote about locking a young Waka Flocka Flame (then about six years old) in his garage, treating him like a pet when Daymond was about eight, because he had no siblings. He concludes by saying LL Cool J's 'Around the Way Girl' would be his song for Hollis.

Daymond presents his weekly challenge: review your social media presence (last 10-100 posts) for consistency in messaging, support for others, and potential for growth. He shares a personal example of responding respectfully to a critic, transforming them into a fan. He advises against engaging with ignorant comments from anonymous or fake accounts, as these can derail your brand image. He encourages focusing on genuine supporters and building meaningful connections, reminding everyone to be kind and considerate online.