James Dumoulin
James Dumoulin is a cofounder, interviewer and speaker at School of Hard KnocksSchool of Hard KnocksSchool of Hard Knocks is a business-interview media brand founded in 2021 by James Dumoulin, Jack Dumoulin and Joshua Smith, based in Austin, Texas. Its street interviews, long-form videos and podcast explore guests’ careers and business experiences. It also operates content services and the School of Mentors community.Open the full entry, a media brand focused on entrepreneurship and business experience. He works with his brother Jack DumoulinJack DumoulinJack Dumoulin, who competed under the name John Dumoulin, is a cofounder of School of Hard Knocks involved in operations, business systems and community development. He won the Excel 2016 division of the 2017 Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship.Open the full entry and cofounder Joshua SmithJoshua SmithJoshua Smith, also known as Josh, is a cofounder of School of Hard Knocks whose work includes content strategy, audience growth and interviews. His public profile says he grew up in Northern Virginia and is based in Austin, Texas.Open the full entry.
Contents8 sections
Key facts
Early Career: Restaurant Work and Business Attempts
In a public letter in 2024, Dumoulin recalled minimum-wage work at Chick-fil-A and the team’s attempts at marketing agency work, media businesses and freelancing before turning to interviews with entrepreneurs.[1]
2021Cofounding School of Hard Knocks
In 2021 he cofounded School of Hard Knocks with Jack Dumoulin and Joshua Smith, becoming its principal on-camera interviewer.[2]
July 4, 2025Interview with New York Mayor Eric Adams
The city transcript published that day names him among the hosts. He asked Eric AdamsEric AdamsEric Adams is an American politician and former police officer who served as mayor of New York City from 2022 to 2025, following service in the New York State Senate and as Brooklyn borough president. He is the author of Healthy at Last and has been interviewed by School of Hard Knocks.Open the full entry about communicating across different communities.[3]
April 21, 2026Habits and Hustle Appearance
He appeared on Jennifer Cohen’s Habits and Hustle to discuss entrepreneurial risk, content businesses, changing platform revenue and choices about brand partnerships.[4]
July 20, 2026Reflecting on the Interview Business
In the Behind the Brand episode description, he identifies a 2022 Mark CubanMark CubanMark Cuban is an American entrepreneur and investor whose early work in computer systems and internet audio and video expanded into sports, film, venture investment and pharmaceuticals. He was the Dallas Mavericks’ controlling owner and a longstanding investor on Shark Tank, and co-founded Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company.Open the full entry interview as a turning point and discusses the move from business-advice content to street interviews.[5]
Interviews and Speaking
His speaking biography focuses on business interviews and entrepreneurial experience, naming guests including Will SmithWill SmithWill Smith is an American actor, rapper and producer. He began performing as the Fresh Prince before starring in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and films including Bad Boys, Men in Black and The Pursuit of Happyness. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for King Richard and co-founded entertainment company Westbrook.Open the full entry, Gary VaynerchukGary VaynerchukGary Vaynerchuk, also known as GaryVee, is an American entrepreneur, investor, author and content creator. He chairs VaynerX and serves as CEO of VaynerMedia and VeeFriends. Starting in his family’s wine retail business and Wine Library TV, he later expanded into advertising, digital content, restaurant reservations, collectibles and entertainment.Open the full entry and Mark Cuban.[6]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
Related program: School of Hard Knocks. Skool: Public profile: https://www.skool.com/@jamesdumoulin (opens in a new window). Instagram: Public account: https://www.instagram.com/realjamesdumoulin/ (opens in a new window).[7][4]
Sources
- Introduction to School of Mentors (opens in a new window)
- The School of Hard Knocks (opens in a new window)
- Transcript: Mayor Adams Appears on School of Hard Knocks Podcast (opens in a new window)
- Episode 547: James Dumoulin — The Kid Who Built an 8-Figure Business Interviewing Billionaires (opens in a new window)
- This 24-Year-Old Has the Largest Business Education Platform in the World (opens in a new window)
- James Dumoulin (opens in a new window)
- James Dumoulin — Public Profile (opens in a new window)