Starbucks is one of the most formidable and famous coffee throughout the earth. There is no one in this world who doesn’t know about this coffee shop. Well, another thing is, when you hear the world “Starbucks”, you are already thinking about the society class buying such expensive but delicious coffee, but little did people know how Starbucks started.
Some people only have few ideas on the success story of Starbucks. It all started from the story of the Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz. You could learn about him and encourage you more to build your business. If you are trying to build your own business or you want to be successful in some aspect of your life, then Howard Schultz story is perfect for you.
How was Howard Schultz Life Before?
Let me tell you that Schultz never imagined that his success will turn out the way it is as of now. One thing that made him stated that is because of his background when he was younger. He lived in Canarsie, Brooklyn as a working-class Jewish family. His mother was a full-time housewife that took care of him and his other sibling. Due to tight budget they had, her mother needed to work as a receptionist soon after, while his father was working as cab driver, factory worker, or truck driver.
When his father was working as a truck driver, he broke his leg. That time, due to lack of money, they never avail any insurance. They were left with no money at all.
After all the challenges he had to go through, he made sure that he will find the success he has been wishing for. To get a scholarship, he joined football. Through that scholarship, he managed to pass in Northern Michigan University. His determination and perseverance paid off when he finally graduated.
After graduation, he entered in several companies and he became the vice president and general manager in the houseware business named Hammerplast which was managed by the Swedish company Perstorp.
Starbucks Caught Schultz Heart
Even though Schultz was successful in his previous journey, he admitted that he was “getting antsy” with his jobs. He said that he really did not know what to do next. But it became different when he started to notice Starbucks.
Starbucks at that time was owned by Gerald Baldwin and Gordon Bowker. At that time when he was working at Hammerplast, he saw four stores wherein there was coffeemakers with large number of drip. He was attracted by their way of producing their coffee, so he met with the two owners of Starbucks. It took a long time to persuade them to make him as their director of marketing. He knew at that moment, his pay would be lesser than his usual salary from his previous company, but he continued his journey with his new company.
When he started to work in Starbucks, he suggested them to make their own Italian espresso drinks, so in that way, people will feel new experience than to assume that it was only a “coffee shop.” Though, the owners did not like the proposal of Schultz. He finally left the store in 1985 and made his own coffee shop Il Giornale the way he wants it to be. It became popular immediately. Though, in two years, Starbucks was bought by Il Giornale and Howard Schultz became its own CEO.
What made the Starbucks standout is how the management treated their employees. They took good care of them, and even gave them complete healthcare. That is one of their secrets to keep their employees. Because of this, these employees also learned how to treat the customers well.
Starbucks Success
Howard Schultz did a great part in maintaining and improving the company’s status. Unfortunately, he decided to close 7, 100 stores in US to train again the Starbuck’s baristas. In just two years, the company became more than what it was before. For now, they have 21, 000 stores throughout 65 countries. They did manage to make up to $77 billion.
This is what Schultz stated about his success, “"I've always been driven and hungry. Long after others have stopped to rest and recover, I'm still running, chasing after something nobody else could ever see."
What About You?
You might be dreaming of being a successful businessman or someone who is successful in his career? How would you take Howard Schultz story? Never stop dreaming, always discover something new. Work through your goals. If others stopped, just keep going. Do not let anyone stop you from your success. Do not let your dark beginning judge how you will end it. If you failed at first, keep trying until you finally get used to it. If Howard Schultz did it, so can you!
References:
http://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-howard-schultz-success-story-2017-12
https://astrumpeople.com/howard-schultz-biography-success-story-of-starbucks-ceo/
Featured image source:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sillygwailo/407257955