I grew up in a working class family where there was no health insurance. I saw first hand the fracturing of the American dream and the bitterness that comes when there is no hope and a lot of despair. So I wanted to build the company, in a sense, that my father never got a chance to work for.

Howard Schultz

Categorized in : Father Inspirational Dream

I think the currency of leadership is transparency. You've got to be truthful. I don't think you should be vulnerable every day, but there are moments where you've got to share your soul and conscience with people and show them who you are, and not be afraid of it.

Howard Schultz

being-yourself leadership inspirational

We are not in the coffee business serving people, we are in the people business serving coffee.

Howard Schultz

serving coffee people

Whatever you do, don't play it safe. Don't do things the way they've always been done. Don't try to fit the system. If you do what's expected of you, you'll never accomplish more than others expect.

Howard Schultz

play success inspire

Our mission statement about treating people with respect and dignity is not just words but a creed we live by every day. You can't expect your employees to exceed the expectations of your customers if you don't exceed the employees' expectations of management.

Howard Schultz

educational encouragement inspirational

Believe in your dreams and dream big. And then after youve done that, dream bigger.

Howard Schultz

done dream believe

I believe life is a series of near misses. A lot of what we ascribe to luck is not luck at all. It's seizing the day and accepting responsibility for your future. It's seeing what other people don't see And pursuing that vision.

Howard Schultz

leadership success believe

When you're surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible.

Howard Schultz

common-purpose people commitment

If you pour your heart into your work, or into any worthy enterprise, you can achieve dreams others may think impossible.

Howard Schultz

perseverance dream heart

What I would say to young entrepreneurs is there's so many moments in your life where you have these dreams, and people are trying to protect you, and they say, perhaps, friends, family, parents sometimes, they don't agree with it, they think, 'This is just too high of a hurdle.' And I don't agree with that.

Howard Schultz

young-entrepreneurs dream thinking

Customers must recognize that you stand for something.

Howard Schultz

branding stand-for-something customers

I realize that idealism is out of sync with the cynicism of our age. Skepticism has come to be synonymous with sophistication, and glibness is mistaken for intelligence. In such an atmosphere, why bother aiming high? Far too many people don't. I just want to reassure people to have the courage to persevere, to keep following their hearts even when others scoff. Don't be beaten down by naysayers. Don't let the odds scare you from even trying.

Howard Schultz

odds courage heart

But when you really believe-in yourself, in your dream-you just have to do everything you possibly can to take control and make your vision a reality. No great achievement happens by luck.

Howard Schultz

dream believe reality

Everyone starts strong. Success comes to those with unwavering commitment to be at the end.

Howard Schultz

strong ends commitment

People want to be part of something larger than themselves. They want to be part of something they're really proud of, that they'll fight for, sacrifice for, that they trust.

Howard Schultz

sacrifice fighting people

Great companies that build an enduring brand have an emotional relationship with customers that has no barrier. And that emotional relationship is on the most important characteristic, which is trust.

Howard Schultz

characteristics emotional important

I was taken by the power that savoring a simple cup of coffee can have to connect people and create community.

Howard Schultz

coffee taken simple

Hiring people is an art, not a science, and resumes can't tell you whether someone will fit into a company's culture.

Howard Schultz

technology business art

I never wanted to be on any billionaires list. I never define myself by net worth. I always try to define myself by my values.

Howard Schultz

billionaire lists trying

Success is something that has to be earned every day.

Howard Schultz

The success of the Starbucks has been based on this balance between profitability and a social conscience. Everywhere we're doing business, were trying to manage the business through the lens of humanity.

Howard Schultz

balance humanity trying