Zev Siegl

Zev Siegl
Name	Zev Siegl
Birth date	1942
Birth place	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Occupation	Entrepreneur, speaker, consultant
Known for	Co‑founder of Starbucks

Zev Siegl is an American entrepreneur, speaker, and consultant best known as a co‑founder of the specialty coffee company Starbucks. He played an early role in the development of the company alongside partners from the Seattle business and cultural scene, and later pursued ventures in small business consulting, entrepreneurial education, and nonprofit work. His career intersects with figures and institutions in the coffee industry, regional business development, and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

Early life and education

Siegl was born in Detroit and raised in Michigan during the post‑war era, with formative experiences that connected him to regional commerce in Detroit Lions era neighborhoods and the broader industrial landscape of Wayne County, Michigan. He attended University of Washington where he encountered peers and mentors involved with Pacific Northwest trade and cultural institutions such as the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Center, and local small business networks. His early exposure to retail operations and market trends overlapped with contemporaneous developments in Seattle and the emerging specialty food movements connected to institutions like the Pike Place Market.

Career

Siegl began his career working in retail and business development roles that linked him to entrepreneurs and organizations in Seattle and the greater King County, Washington area. He engaged with local chambers such as the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and networks that connected to national institutions including the Small Business Administration and business incubators influenced by models from Silicon Valley and Boston entrepreneurial programs. Over time he developed expertise in small business coaching, public speaking at venues like University of Washington Foster School of Business events, and participation in conferences hosted by entities similar to the Kauffman Foundation.

Co-founding Starbucks

In the early 1970s Siegl co‑founded Starbucks with partners who were active in the Seattle coffee, retail, and cultural scenes. The original founding group included entrepreneurs and merchants who frequented the Pike Place Market and were connected to specialty food and beverage circles that intersected with organizations such as the Specialty Coffee Association and retailers influenced by Peet's Coffee traditions. The enterprise’s evolution involved interactions with investors and business leaders from Seattle and beyond, including figures associated with later expansion through capital from participants who had ties to Howard Schultz, Il Giornale, and corporate models seen at firms like McDonald’s and Dunkin' Donuts. The early Starbucks storefronts and roasting operations engaged suppliers and logistics partners that worked within ports like the Port of Seattle and distribution channels informed by West Coast specialty importers and exporters.

Later ventures and consulting

After his tenure with the company, Siegl focused on founding and advising small businesses, offering consulting and keynote speaking for entrepreneurs linked to regional accelerators and institutions such as the University of Washington, Seattle University, and business associations akin to the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship. He partnered with civic and nonprofit groups including organizations comparable to the Seattle Foundation and entrepreneurial training programs inspired by the SCORE Association and the Kauffman Foundation. His advisory work touched startups across sectors that interact with retail and hospitality chains like Starbucks Corporation, Peet's Coffee & Tea, Blue Bottle Coffee, and local specialty cafes across Seattle and Portland, Oregon.

Awards and recognition

Siegl has been acknowledged by regional business organizations and entrepreneurship forums for his role in founding a business that shaped specialty coffee in the United States. He has appeared as a speaker at events sponsored by academic entities such as the University of Washington Foster School of Business and trade groups resembling the Specialty Coffee Association, and has been recognized by local business publications and civic organizations in Seattle and King County, Washington for contributions to small business development and mentorship.

Personal life and philanthropy

Siegl’s personal and philanthropic activities have included engagement with educational institutions and community organizations in the Pacific Northwest, supporting initiatives similar to those run by the Seattle Foundation, Pike Place Market Foundation, and community development programs connected to King County. He has participated in speaker series, mentoring programs, and nonprofit boards that promote entrepreneurship, small business growth, and workforce development across the Pacific Northwest.

Category:American businesspeople Category:People from Detroit Category:Starbucks people