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

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)

Great book for those who need inspiration.

What made the experience of listening to The Power of Broke the most enjoyable?

The use of what seemed to be actual stories were nice tools of inspiration, offering insight into how to stick to a dream, how to develop a process, and how to keep hope burning.

What other book might you compare The Power of Broke to and why?

How to win friends and influence people, with a twist.

What about Daymond John and Sway Calloway ’s performance did you like?

The performances were great, but I believe and feel that Daymond John should have narrated the entire book. Because he is so well known, and so much associated with Shark Tank, as well as his own story, having him narrate the reading tidbits of chapter introductions detracted from the message for me.

I had to keep reminding myself who was actually calling himself "I". I had to keep recall that the first person opinions, experiences and advice did not come from Sway. Sway could have written his own book, being that he is accomplished in his own right. Thus, If I had to change 1 thing about the book, it would have been this one annoying aspect.

Because of this confusion, I did not finish the book. The inflections, emphasis, pace and tone of the 2 men differ so much. Most of the time I thought Sway was talking about himself.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not super moved, but impressed. Motivational books seem to re-emerge every decade or 2, so it seemed clear to me that this book targets the young, and inexperienced entrepreneur. For these recent generations, I can see this book as being invaluable.

Any additional comments?

Good book, solid advice for the young or truly inexperienced, but I wouldn't have purchased it if I'd known Sway was the primary narrator. Big production mistake, in my opinion, and it makes no sense- especially when the book was written in first person.

Confuses the mind and changes the spirit of the book. Not at all clear why anyone would have allowed this. That being said, I have nothing against Sway. He did a great job, but it was not his story. Now I have to convince my mind of that, if I can remember any part of the book. Surely, this placed a wedge between the listener and the author.

Inspirational entrepreneur- with a caution...

Daymond is a good guy. He is a solid entrepreneur. The book is very personal, very real. It includes some very interesting points about Damond's life and his guerilla marketing tactics, which I loved, along stories for other entrepreneurs including some featured in Shark Tank.

Any Shark Tank fan will find this book entertaining, interesting and useful. Now to the caution...

Like most books on entrepreneurship, this one talks about following your dreams, ignoring critics and the value of persistence. The reality is that more often than not entrepreneurs have failed ideas, or don't have the right business plan, to make a business successful. And they would be better off closing the business than continuing to pursue a dream that will never come.

Entrepreneurs need more financial discipline, need better ways to test the potential of ideas, understand the profit potential of every business, have a financial plan if not a full business plan, and know when to pull the plug.

Some interesting tips are there, but boring overall

I found this book very boring as my attention kept drifting throughout the book which never happens to me with highly interesting books. The reader literally reads it so monotonous without any emotions, that it can make you sleep. Overall not impressed with this book. I bought it because it had all 5 star reviews, but in my opinion it is worth just 3 stars

Waste of time. Unless you are in high school.

What would have made The Power of Broke better?

A different speaker. He should have done it himself. Sway is not it.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Not another one narrated by Sway. Or one written by this guy. I'm fan of him but not his writing.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

His voice, emphasis on words, and tonality. I could listen to this any longer.

Any additional comments?

REFUND PLEASE

Power book!

The Power of Broke was informative and eye-opening. I highly recommend this to all entrepreneurs whether you're just starting out or seasoned like me. I picked up lots of great, new ideas. Thank you Damon!!

Mediocre

Same mediocre stories taken and re told. The narrator choice is very poor. Over all 1 star.

All around inspirational

Inspiration, confidence, strategy, facts, and a little bit of hope all bundled in one book. This is exactly what I needed. Thank you Daymond!

Not that great of a book

This book is just too simplistic. I don't find it all that informative or interesting. I rarely not complete a book. However I cannot continue to struggle through this book. It is dull and not informative or worth the money.

Good book, terrible narrator

The book is good and I really like Daymond but I sure wished he had chosen a narrator that had a better grasp of the English language

mfgllc

good solid content Damon hits it out of the park with this one. There are so many case studies from various industries showcasing various business models, it was just what I needed.

One of the best entrepreneur books available

I enjoy reading these kind of books and having gone through Brian Tracy, Zig Ziglar and Grant Cardone, to name a few, I can say that this is vying for my number one spot. There is no over-the-top bravado as the sincerity shines through. The words of advice are provided in an avuncular manner as opposed to some of the 'do as I say or your an idiot' that one sometimes come across. The anecdotes are accurate, salient, relevant and well explained. It changed my view of how businesses can start. In fact I am following the blueprint on my current venture (in conjunction with another excellent book "Unscripted").

Inspiring but not mind-blowing

Enjoyed reading this book. didn't get as much practical value as I hoped but definitely took a lot from it.

A Long Drawn out Yaaawn!

Long winded...
Unable to put myself through this yawn of a yarn.
Would like my money back please 😞

Lots of winning ideas here.

Irrespective of where you are in life you can certainly make huge improvements. Daymond John is engaging in telling you how, also he has actually done it, so not just a teacher of theory. Highly recommended.

Great biik

I learned a lot from this book, it gives me the reassurance that nothing is beyong reach. I feel empowered and motivated and ready to take on the world. Definitely a recommended listen, I believe I'm more able to connect with the book better by listening to it too.

Great read.

Great read, very interesting I didn't know he started FUBU. Great stories about the other guys who started up their businesses as well.

Book created to massage authors ego

The first four chapters are incredibly hard to listen to. It's author drones on about his experiences and then adds his book title at the end of the story. It's not informative at all. His point could've been summed up in a blog post. Dull read.

wake up call

I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth and althught i anted to run a business i nver trained myself to manage and handle mney so i ende up in about £100,000 debt which became a horrible burden until i listen to this wudiobook. thanks Daymond!

Great read highly recommend

Spurred me to take action - the mindset change. Not to mention recognising perceived difficulties as opportunities.

Some great principles to follow

Genuine advice with principles anyone from any walk of like can follow. Will definitely be listening to his other books!