How Sean "Diddy" Combs keeps expanding his empire

Sean “Diddy” Combs is the chairman and CEO of Combs Enterprises, the umbrella company for a number of his various businesses that span across entertainment, fashion, fragrances, and beverages. The most notable businesses under Combs Enterprises include Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group, Sean John, Combs Wine & Spirits, Revolt Films and Revolt Media & TV.  He has learned plenty of lessons on his way to mogul status. Listed below are Diddy’s important tips to creating and maintaining long-term success.

Combs grew his empire simply by focusing on the type of connection he wanted to have with his customers. “We have such a strong connection to the African American and Latino communities, who basically at this point run the culture in America. We haven’t been afraid to service them in a very elegant, sophisticated and aspirational kind of way.” He continued, “if I give the customers my best and service them differently, whether music, clothing or vodka, I'll get a return on my hard work.”

Diddy grew his empire simply by focusing on the type of connection he wanted to have with his customers. “When we started Sean John, it was my dream to build it into an aspirational brand for the young consumer,” he said. Combs’ ultimate motivation for success is to show disenfranchised young people that achievement in business is possible. That's one of the main reasons Combs opened the Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School. Establishing this school allows he and his staff to provide young people with early lessons on leadership and success.

“Some of my biggest success comes from some of my biggest failures,” says Combs in a 2014 commencement address at Howard University, which he attended and received an honorary degree.  Combs was fired from an early job in music. “I was scared to death. I didn’t have a degree, my girlfriend was eight-and-a-half months pregnant, I bought a brand-new house in Scarsdale, New York that I could not afford.” Despite his circumstances, he was determined to provide for his family. “Either I was going to sit in that failure and give up, or I was going to make a decision to step out of the darkness.” It's clear to see which direction he chose. Sean Combs is nothing short of an inspiration to entrepreneurs as well as businessmen. 

“I’ve always been a businessman first. Even when I pursue my passion in the music industry, I do it from the perspective of an entrepreneur. Watching my mom work four or five jobs at a time, I’m wired to pursue multiple areas. I've never been one to put all my eggs into one basket.” He continued to emphasize the importance of quality products. “The only way you can be successful with your marketing and branding is if you have a great product to sell. If people go home and aren’t happy, that won’t work. Your product has to stand up for itself.  Cîroc is a supreme product, Sean John is a supreme product, Revolt TV is, too.”

Diddy's unique ability to redefine his boundaries has made his transition from an entertainer to a mogul incredibly smooth. “Moguls in our community and other moguls aren’t always portrayed in a similar way. Our type of intelligence and sophistication isn't something we see regularly. Now, when you think of a mogul, of a successful businessman, you think of a variety of examples, of a diverse group of people.”