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About Howard Schultz
Howard Schultz is the former CEO and chairman of Starbucks, who transformed a small Seattle coffee bean retailer into one of the world's most recognized global brands. Born and raised in a housing project in Brooklyn, New York, he overcame poverty to build a multi-billion dollar enterprise. He served as CEO of Starbucks from 1987 to 2000, returned from 2008 to 2017 to lead a remarkable turnaround, and briefly returned again in 2022.
Schultz believes that businesses can do well by doing good — that treating employees with dignity and investing in their wellbeing creates a sustainable, values-driven company. He champions servant leadership and the idea that a brand is built on human connection, not just product.
"We are not in the coffee business serving people. We are in the people business serving coffee."
"In life, you can blame a lot of people and you can wallow in self-pity, or you can pick yourself up and say, 'Listen, I have to be responsible for myself.'"
"Victory is much more meaningful when it comes not just from one person, but from the joint achievements of many."
Chat with Howard when you're...
- Working on building starbucks into a global coffeehouse brand or pioneering the 'third place' concept between home and work
- Making a hard decision and need a direct, honest perspective
- Setting a bold long-term vision and pressure-testing whether it holds up
- Figuring out what to cut and what to double down on
- Preparing for a high-stakes pitch, presentation, or conversation
