Howard Schultz

Howard Schultz is a renowned American businessman, best known for his successful tenure as the CEO of Starbucks, a global coffee company. Born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, he grew up in a public housing project in Canarsie, where he was raised by his parents, Fred Schultz and Elaine Schultz, alongside his siblings. Schultz's early life was marked by his experiences playing football at Canarsie High School, and later, he attended Northern Michigan University on a football scholarship, where he studied communications. During his time at Northern Michigan University, Schultz was influenced by the works of Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela, which shaped his perspective on social justice and leadership.

● Early Life and Education

Schultz's childhood in Brooklyn was shaped by his family's experiences, including his father's work as a truck driver and his mother's role as a homemaker. He attended Canarsie High School, where he played football and developed a strong work ethic, which was further instilled in him by his coaches, including Vince Lombardi and Bear Bryant. After graduating from Canarsie High School, Schultz received a football scholarship to attend Northern Michigan University, where he studied communications and was exposed to the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi and Malcolm X. During his time at Northern Michigan University, Schultz was also influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and the anti-war movement, which shaped his views on social justice and activism.

● Career

Schultz's career began in the 1970s, when he worked as a salesperson for Xerox, a leading technology company, and later, he joined Hammerplast, a Swedish company that sold coffee makers. In the early 1980s, Schultz joined Starbucks, which was then a small coffee company founded by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker. During his time at Starbucks, Schultz was influenced by the company's early success and the vision of its founders, including Jerry Baldwin, who had been inspired by the Italian coffee culture and the works of Italo Calvino. Schultz's experiences at Starbucks also shaped his views on customer service and brand management, which were influenced by the ideas of Peter Drucker and Tom Peters.

● Starbucks Leadership

In the 1980s, Schultz became the CEO of Starbucks and transformed the company into a global coffee giant, with over 30,000 stores in more than 75 countries, including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, China, and Japan. Under Schultz's leadership, Starbucks expanded its product offerings to include a range of coffee drinks, such as the Caffè Latte and the Cappuccino, which were inspired by the Italian coffee culture and the works of Luigi Bezzera. Schultz's leadership at Starbucks was also marked by his commitment to corporate social responsibility, which was influenced by the ideas of Milton Friedman and Michael Porter. During his tenure, Starbucks became a leader in sustainability and social responsibility, with initiatives such as the Starbucks Foundation and the Global Fund.

● Politics and Philanthropy

Schultz has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including the Starbucks Foundation, which supports education and youth development programs, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the United Way. He has also been a vocal advocate for social justice and human rights, and has supported organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the Human Rights Campaign. In 2019, Schultz considered running for President of the United States as an independent candidate, but ultimately decided not to pursue the nomination, citing concerns about the polarization of American politics and the need for bipartisanship. Schultz's views on politics and philanthropy have been shaped by his experiences at Starbucks and his interactions with leaders such as Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela.

● Personal Life

Schultz is married to Sheri Schultz, and they have two children, Jordan Schultz and Stacy Schultz. He is a longtime resident of Seattle, Washington, and has been involved in various community development initiatives, including the Seattle Foundation and the United Way of King County. Schultz is also a supporter of the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Mariners, and has been involved in various sports philanthropy efforts, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Throughout his career, Schultz has received numerous awards and honors, including the Horatio Alger Award and the National Jefferson Award, which recognize his contributions to business and philanthropy. Category:American businesspeople