Early Life
Howard D. Schultz was born in Brooklyn, New York, on July 19, 1953. He grew up in the Canarsie public housing projects. His father was a truck driver, and his mother was a receptionist. Schultz attended Northern Michigan University, graduating with a B.A. in communications in 1975.
Rise to Success
Schultz joined Starbucks in 1982 as director of retail operations and marketing. In 1983, a trip to Italy inspired him to bring the Italian coffeehouse culture to Starbucks. He left Starbucks briefly to start his own coffee company, Il Giornale, and later purchased Starbucks in 1987. Under Schultz's leadership, Starbucks expanded rapidly, becoming a global brand with over 30,000 stores worldwide. Schultz served as CEO at various times: 1986-2000, 2008-2017, and an interim role from 2022-2023.
Key Business Strategies
Schultz focused on rapid store expansion, product innovation (like the Frappuccino), and creating a "third place" experience for customers. He took the company public in 1992. He also spearheaded acquisitions and implemented employee-focused initiatives like health care and stock options.
Philanthropy
Schultz and his wife, Sheri, co-founded the Schultz Family Foundation in 1996. The foundation supports programs for veterans and youth employment. In 2014, he announced a $30 million commitment for veteran job training.