Early Life
Howard D. Schultz was born on July 19, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York, to Ashkenazi Jewish parents. Growing up in the Canarsie public housing projects, he experienced firsthand the challenges of a working-class family. His father's struggles with employment and lack of health insurance profoundly impacted Schultz, shaping his commitment to employee welfare. Schultz graduated from Canarsie High School in 1971 and earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Northern Michigan University in 1975.
Rise to Success
Schultz's career began with a sales position at Xerox and later as a general manager for a Swedish coffee manufacturer's U.S. subsidiary, Hammarplast. In 1982, he joined Starbucks as the director of retail operations and marketing. Inspired by Italian coffee bars, Schultz envisioned a similar concept in the United States. After leaving Starbucks to start his own coffee bar chain, Il Giornale, he later purchased Starbucks and merged it with Il Giornale. Under his leadership, Starbucks experienced rapid growth, becoming a global brand.
Key Business Strategies
Schultz's key strategies included expanding the number of stores, focusing on customer experience, and prioritizing employee benefits. He took Starbucks public in 1992, further fueling its expansion. He also spearheaded acquisitions, introduced loyalty programs, and implemented fair trade standards. Schultz served as CEO multiple times, most recently as interim CEO from 2022 to 2023.
Philanthropy
Beyond Starbucks, Schultz co-founded the Schultz Family Foundation, which supports veterans and youth employment. He is also involved in venture capital through Maveron Capital, investing in various consumer businesses.