Howard Schultz did not inherit Starbucks; he joined the company in 1982 as the director of marketing and retail operations. At the time, Starbucks was a small Seattle coffee bean store. Inspired by Italian espresso bars during a trip to Milan, Schultz envisioned a different kind of coffee experience. One focused on community, quality and atmosphere.
He initially faced resistance from the original owners, leading him to launch his own chain, Il Giornale, to test the concept. In 1987 Schultz acquired Starbucks with investor backing, merging it with Il Giornale and setting out to expand aggressively. Under his leadership, Starbucks grew from a local chain to a global brand with thousands of stores worldwide, pioneering the modern coffeehouse culture.
Schultz’s story demonstrates that vision, persistence, and strategic execution can create extraordinary business success even without family wealth or inheritance, proving that leadership and innovation can redefine an industry.
