Business

Howard Schultz

Grew up in public housing in Brooklyn; later bought the company he had worked for.

Howard Schultz was born in 1953 in Brooklyn, New York, US. Howard Schultz's background is described as Jewish American. Growing up, the family was in poverty — canarsie public-housing projects; truck-driver father. Grew up in public housing in Brooklyn; later bought the company he had worked for.

Born: 1953 · Brooklyn, New York, US
Roots: Jewish American
Family: Poverty; Canarsie public-housing projects; truck-driver father.
Education: Northern Michigan University (football scholarship; first in his family)
Started with: $1.65M raised; Pitched 242 investors to fund Il Giornale; 217 declined.
Affiliations & societies: None documented.; Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.

The pathway

1961 · age 7
Father's injury
His father breaks an ankle on the job and is dismissed without insurance or savings.
1975 · age 21
First college graduate in the family
Football scholarship at Northern Michigan; then a Xerox sales job.
1982 · age 29
Joins Starbucks
Then a small Seattle coffee-bean roaster; he runs marketing.
1983 · age 30
Milan trade trip
Proposes an Italian-style café model; the owners decline.
1986 · age 33
Founds Il Giornale$1.65M
Leaves Starbucks; raises funding after 242 investor pitches and 217 rejections.
1987 · age 34
Buys Starbucks$3.8M
Acquires the brand and six stores from his former employers.
1992 · age 39
IPO
165 stores at listing.
2018 · age 65
~30,000 stores worldwide
At his departure as executive chairman.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Howard Schultz from?

Howard Schultz was born in 1953 in Brooklyn, New York, US. Their background is described as Jewish American.

When was Howard Schultz born?

Howard Schultz was born in 1953, in Brooklyn, New York, US.

What is Howard Schultz's background or ethnicity?

Howard Schultz's roots are described as Jewish American. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.

Where did Howard Schultz go to school?

Howard Schultz's education: Northern Michigan University (football scholarship; first in his family).

What was Howard Schultz's family background growing up?

At birth the family was in poverty. Canarsie public-housing projects; truck-driver father.

How did Howard Schultz get started?

Howard Schultz started with $1.65M raised. Pitched 242 investors to fund Il Giornale; 217 declined.

Sources

Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.