In many places where coffee is grown, deforestation is a major issue. With Starbucks' position in the marketplace and the respect and relationships we have, we can - and have, in some cases - been able to educate and influence people. Howard Schultz More Quotes by Howard Schultz More Quotes From Howard Schultz I think the most important thing that I think everyone in America must have is belief that wherever they live, whatever station they have in life, that the American dream is alive and well. I think the fracturing of trust and confidence is in the American dream. Howard Schultz dream america thinking I think there is probably no better person to aspire to emulate than Steve Jobs and what he has done at Apple in terms of his leadership, his innovation, not settling for mediocrity. Howard Schultz apples jobs thinking I think what we're lacking in society, not only in the U.S. but also around the world, is to find heroes once again and to celebrate these kind of people. Howard Schultz hero people thinking I was born on the other side of the tracks, in public housing in Brooklyn, New York. My dad never made more than $20,000 a year, and I grew up in a family that lost health insurance. So I was scarred at a young age with understanding what it was like to watch my parents lose access to the American dream. Howard Schultz dad new-york dream I was working probably at the age of 10, when I had my first paper route. I had every different kind of job you could possibly imagine as a young kid. Howard Schultz age jobs kids I'm in a different position than most CEO's. I'm a founder. I'm not a hired CEO. Now, I can be fired by the board, but most CEO's are hired by the board. Howard Schultz ceo boards different If Vancouver did not succeed as Starbucks from '87 on, our entire international business, which is now thousands of stores and a significant amount of growth and profit, may not have existed. Howard Schultz vancouver growth may Americans reading the paper, listening to the news every single day, and all you hear is things are getting worse and worse. And that has a psychological effect on consumer confidence. That's what consumer confidence is. Howard Schultz news reading listening I do think - as self-serving as it sounds - that I was the right person, given the very, very strong headwind we had from the economy and our own issues, to come back and rewrite the future of the company. Howard Schultz strong self thinking Do I take criticism of Starbucks personally? Of course I do. Howard Schultz starbucks courses criticism Europe has always represented a major strategic opportunity to achieve our goal of creating and building an enduring global brand. Howard Schultz creating opportunity europe Even though people are under economic pressure, they still want to support those brands with values that are compatible with their own. Howard Schultz support want people Managing a business, small or large, today requires an extremely disciplined, thoughtful approach with regard to the pressure that people are under. Howard Schultz thoughtful today people Success in the United States is not an entitlement in China. You have to go there and earn it, and earn it the right way. Howard Schultz entitlement united-states way There's this myth that has been exacerbated by others that Starbucks means a $4 cup of coffee, which is not true. Howard Schultz cups coffee mean Cutting prices or putting things on sale is not sustainable business strategy. The other side of it is that you can't cut enough costs to save your way to prosperity. Howard Schultz cost cutting way Growing up I always felt like I was living on the other side of the tracks. I knew the people on the other side had more resources, more money, happier families. Howard Schultz growing-up track people I could've just walked away but I never could have forgiven myself to allow Starbucks to drift into mediocrity or not be relevant. I just couldn't be a bystander. Howard Schultz starbucks bystanders mediocrity If you look at coffee, tea, food and juice, we think there are inherent opportunities. If you look at health bars or grab-and-go products that are in our stores, we think we can significantly enhance them and make them more widely available. Howard Schultz coffee opportunity thinking In life, you can blame a lot of people and you can wallow in self-pity or you can pick yourself up and say listen, I have to be responsible for myself. Howard Schultz blame self people
