Howard Schultz

Early Life

Howard Schultz was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1953. He grew up in public housing and experienced financial hardship, which shaped his values and future business approach. He excelled in sports and earned a football scholarship to Northern Michigan University, where he graduated with a degree in communications in 1975.

Rise to Success

Schultz's career began in sales at Xerox before he joined Hammarplast, where he noticed high coffee maker orders from Starbucks Coffee, Tea, and Spice Company. Intrigued, he joined Starbucks in 1982 as the director of retail operations and marketing. Inspired by the Italian coffeehouse culture, he envisioned a similar experience for Starbucks customers. When his vision wasn't initially shared, he left to found Il Giornale, a coffee shop. He purchased Starbucks in 1987 and merged it with Il Giornale, beginning the brand's aggressive expansion.

Key Business Strategies

Under Schultz's leadership, Starbucks expanded from 11 stores to over 30,000 globally. His strategies focused on creating a 'third place,' emphasizing customer experience and premium coffee. He also prioritized employee benefits, including healthcare and stock options, which helped build a strong company culture. In 2008, he returned as CEO during a challenging economic period, closing underperforming stores and reinvigorating core values.

Philanthropy

Schultz, along with his wife Sheri, co-founded the Schultz Family Foundation in 1996. This foundation focuses on supporting military veterans and combating youth unemployment.