A video of Damon Dash (aka. Dame Dash) appeared on my  and of course my first thoughts were – what is this dude talking about – NOW? For most of us, we only know what the media portrays of Jay Z’s former Rock-a-Fella Records partner –  none of which has been favorable.

From foreclosed homes, , failed ventures, cancelled tv shows and a slew of lawsuits, I just assumed that Dame Dash was an arrogant bum. (The verdict is still out on the arrogant part.) While much of the public feels he’s salty about the split from Jay Z and struggling to make ends meet, it seems as if Damon has had his head (and hands) in the game the entire time.

I decided to watch the video based on the comments alone, the majority of which were positive. As he began to speak, the realness of his character and authenticity of his voice grabbed me from the beginning. The arrogance was still present, but in an instant I was filled with admiration and respect.

The Vibe produced mini series inspired me to write my top 10 takeaways from his conversation about being a boss in the business.

1. Don’t let anyone else define your idea of success.

If your dream is to open a brick and mortar store, run a blog and become a consultant, then do that. Do not allow anyone to put you in a box based on their perceptions or ideas of what you should be.

2. Diversify your interests and business model.

Earning a steady income from one source is great. But what happens when that source is no longer available? You’ll never need to start over if you have other ventures to cultivate and grow.

3. Cut out the middle man. Become your own connect.

Don’t outsource your business without understanding the operation from the ground up. To be in control is to understand each step of the process and then delegate what needs to be done to complete the job.

4. Invest in yourself and you’ll be the boss. Put up your own money.

Before you allow someone else to invest in your dreams, use your own money first. Once you begin to take money from investors you’ll have to answer to them.

5. Never change who you are.

Be true to yourself. Don’t change how you speak, dress look or talk in order to “fit in”. Being you has gotten you this far and anyone who’s worth partnering with will accept you as is.

6. You can’t be the champ if you never lose. Embrace the pain.

Struggle is essential the process. There’s a saying that everything seems to fall apart, right before everything falls in place – and its true. Adversity builds character, creates memories, keeps you humble and helps you appreciate how far you’ve come.

7. Being a boss means having the ability to care for other people before yourself and fix problems.

No everyone has the strength to be the boss. You chose the entrepreneurship path for a reason. Embrace your strengths and ability to be an effective leader.

8. Business partnerships can end, true friendships last a lifetime.

Know the difference between a true friend and a business partner. Friends can make excellent business partners, at times they don’t. Know when to sever ties in order to salvage a friendship.

9. Circle of success. Support the entrepreneurs in your circle.

If you succeed, make sure your inner circle is successful as well. When you are profitable they can celebrate your accomplishments and when you have trouble they’ll be there to help – financially or otherwise.

10. Don’t focus on negative press or what other people say about you.

The biggest part in being an entrepreneur is that you’ll have to bear the brunt of any negativity. It’s inevitable. Don’t internalize negative thoughts, stay positive and surround yourself with people you who genuinely care about your best interests.

Well that’s it. These core set of tips will help guide entrepreneurs when growing their businesses. If you haven’t had a chance to look at the three part series, the videos are below. I’m still on the fence about his actual net worth, but he seems to be doing ok, so I’ll leave it as that.

My Philosophy: Part 1

My Philosophy: Part 2

My Philosophy: Part 3