• The Power of Broke

  • How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger for Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage
  • By: Daymond John, Daniel Paisner
  • Narrated by: Daymond John, Sway Calloway
  • Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (5,349 ratings)

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The Power of Broke

By: Daymond John, Daniel Paisner
Narrated by: Daymond John, Sway Calloway
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Publisher's summary

Skillfully read by DJ, MTV News reporter, and radio host Sway Calloway, whose effortless style and distinct voice perfectly capture John's message, and featuring a customized introduction from the author himself, this audiobook is the go-to source for all those wanting to learn the importance of staying hungry in order to succeed. Interspersed throughout its chapters, listeners are treated to "Power Facts" and "Shark Points" told directly by Daymond John, giving the famed entrepreneur and branding expert a chance to impart some of his invaluable wisdom.

Daymond John has been practicing the power of broke ever since he started selling his home-sewn T-shirts on the streets of Queens. With no funding and a $40 budget, Daymond had to come up with out-of-the box ways to promote his products. Luckily, desperation breeds innovation, and so he hatched an idea for a creative campaign that eventually launched the FUBU brand into a $6 billion global phenomenon. But it might not have happened if he hadn't started out broke - with nothing but a heart full of hope and a ferocious drive to succeed by any means possible.

Here, the FUBU founder and star of ABC's Shark Tank shows that, far from being a liability, broke can actually be your greatest competitive advantage as an entrepreneur. Why? Because starting a business from broke forces you to think more creatively. It forces you to use your resources more efficiently. It forces you to connect with your customers more authentically and market your ideas more imaginatively. It forces you to be true to yourself, stay laser focused on your goals, and come up with those innovative solutions required to make a meaningful mark. John shows how we can all leverage the power of broke to phenomenal success. You'll meet:

Steve Aoki, the electronic dance music (EDM) deejay who managed to parlay a series of $100 gigs into becoming a global superstar who has redefined the music industry.

Gigi Butler, a cleaning lady from Nashville who built a cupcake empire on the back of a family recipe, her maxed-out credit cards, and a heaping dose of faith.

Eleven-year-old Shark Tank guest Mo Bridges, who stitched together a winning clothing line with just his grandma's sewing machine, a stash of loose fabric, and his unique sartorial flair.

When your back is up against the wall, your bank account is empty, and creativity and passion are the only resources you can afford, success is your only option. Here you'll learn how to tap in to that power of broke to scrape, hustle, and dream your way to the top.

BONUS: This audiobook features an exclusive interview between author Daymond John and narrator Sway Calloway, touching upon topics that include entrepreneurship as "the ultimate equalizer", loving what you do, and why the author handpicked Calloway to read his book.

©2016 Daymond John (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Daymond knows how to make things happen. He knows the difference between a want-repreneur and an entrepreneur, and he lays it out for us in these pages. What a kick it is to read over his shoulder as he shares his hard-won wisdom. This guy built an empire from the streets of Hollis, Queens, and here he compares notes with other visionaries who've also found ways to beat the odds and make it to the top. His new book is so inspiring, so insightful, so invigorating.... I'm glad that he took the time to share this mindset with the world." (Mark Cuban, entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks)
"Money can't buy you strength or spirit. It can't get you peace or power. In his empowering new book, Daymond John sets out a blueprint for folks looking to put their God-given assets to work to build a business or a brand. Nobody knows better than Daymond that it doesn't matter how you start out in life - the will to win resides in us all." (Russell Simmons, business mogul and philanthropist)
"I firmly believe that you should only read business books from people who have actually built businesses. Daymond has done just that, and here he breaks down the thesis and the religion behind exactly how he did it. You have to understand that 'broke' isn't what happens in your wallet; 'broke' is a mind-set. It's about tapping into that state of desperation that leads you to tremendous creativity. I was in the game of broke before I even knew what the game was, and, here, Daymond John deconstructs this crucial concept in detail." (Gary Vaynerchuk, VaynerMedia CEO and three-time New York Times best-selling author)

Featured Article: 35+ Inspirational Entrepreneur Quotes to Kickstart Your Goals


The world of entrepreneurship is filled with high hurdles, long nights, and hard-earned wins. Deciding to launch your own business is a huge risk, and it requires a lot of support, luck, and sheer grit to stick with it long enough to see it pay off. Whether you’re considering heading into an independent career or are already running your own company, you know how important it is to seek out the wisdom of those with thriving ventures.

What listeners say about The Power of Broke

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Mentally uplifting

The book really Makes you want to get things done. Five stars. Well written and read.

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Great read!

This book has been a wealth of information. I've been putting the concept of the Power of Broke the work in my life without even realizing it, but not in ways that benefit me. I'm more motivated now to put this concept into action in more positive and beneficial ways.

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  • LR
  • 12-06-18

Giving real and holistic advice

This book shows you can really take an idea and make it a reality, regardless of financial resources or connections. Many books or sites may just give you general advice or stories about how to go about something like selling shirts or creating something. This book goes through what someone did and how. Daymond explains possible ideas on how to go and make something happen. Not general advice. Great read.

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Power of Broke

one of the best books I've ever listen to on audio books will probably be repeated in a few days

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Amazing narration

Sway is an amazing narrator and Daymond's narration is better than most audio books. The book itself is a great motivator as Daymond explores a variety of different entrepreneurs and how they got their start.

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amazing audio book

Really an amazing audio book. Very enjoyable and fun to listen to. Highly recommended to anyone who is interested in being an entrepreneur or entrepreneurship

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Only Daymond Does!

Great read or rather listen! the insightful examples from the stories was profound and had impact.

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Amazing Advice!

This book includes true success stories and advice from "The People's Shark" Daymond John. He has lived the "power of broke" philosophy and has many successful companies as a result of this sage advice.

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Perfectly Perfect

Perfectly Perfect , Sway did a great job. Daymond’s thoughts are inspiring. I enjoyed Rise & Grind too.

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inspiring and motivational

great tips for entrepreneurs of any level. relatable stories. encouraging information. practical and useful advice

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