Howard Schultz

Howard Schultz did not found Starbucks, but he transformed it from a small Seattle coffee bean retailer into the largest coffeehouse chain in the world. After visiting Milan in 1983 and seeing the Italian espresso bar culture — where the coffee shop served as a 'third place' between home and work — Schultz became obsessed with bringing that experience to America. He convinced the founders to let him test the concept, left to start his own coffee company, and then bought Starbucks outright in 1987 for $3.8 million.

Schultz's innovation was not the coffee — it was the experience. He created a brand that made paying $5 for a coffee feel like a small luxury rather than an extravagance. Starbucks stores were designed to be comfortable, consistent, and welcoming, with the barista calling your name and the same menu available in every location worldwide. He also pioneered comprehensive employee benefits in the retail industry — including health insurance and stock options for part-time workers — arguing that treating employees well would create better customer experiences.

Starbucks now operates 38,000+ stores in 86 countries, serves 75 million customers per week, and generates over $35 billion in annual revenue. Schultz stepped down and returned to lead the company multiple times, each time reinvigorating growth. His 'third place' concept changed not just how Americans drink coffee, but how they socialize, work remotely, and think about public space. He grew up in the housing projects of Brooklyn and built one of the most ubiquitous brands on Earth.