Quotes from Howard Schultz

People have come to me over the years and said to me: 'I admire the culture of Starbucks. Can you come give a speech and help us turn our culture around?' I wish it were that easy. Turning a culture around is very difficult to do because it's based on a series of many, many decisions, and the organization is framed by those decisions.

Turning a culture around is very difficult to do because it's based on a series of many, many decisions, and the organization is framed by those decisions.

People around the world, they want the authentic Starbucks experience.

Even though people are under economic pressure, they still want to support those brands with values that are compatible with their own.

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.

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.

I think growth covers up mistakes.

I think Starbucks created a platform and, ultimately, a runway for many other companies to emulate. I suspect if we had not achieved what we have, there would have been many regional brands that would have succeeded. But I'm not sure there would have been a national brand of the scope of Starbucks.

This may sound a bit naive, but I got here by believing in big dreams.

Most business people today are not going to invest in the uncertainty that exists in America.

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.

Managing and navigating through a financial crisis is no fun at all.

I've traveled around the world, and what's so revealing is that, despite the differences in culture, politics, language, how people dress, there is a universal feeling that we all want the same thing. We deeply want to be respected and appreciated for our differences.

Starbucks represents something beyond a cup of coffee.

London, a city where creativity and innovation have always flourished, provides a significant home for Starbucks and a significant gateway into Europe.

Starbucks has a role and a meaningful relationship with people that is not only about the coffee.

We need to put ourselves in the shoes of our customers. That is my new battle cry. Live and breathe Starbucks the way our customers do.

With a population of more than 600 million people, an emerging middle class that is driving strong consumption, and a robust and resilient economy, Southeast Asia presents a compelling growth opportunity for Starbucks.

Starbucks has changed the rules of engagement for the music industry.

The Starbucks customer and the Teavana customer are two very different customers, two different need states that are highly complimentary.

There's this myth that has been exacerbated by others that Starbucks means a $4 cup of coffee, which is not true.

The response to the Starbucks brand has been phenomenal in our international markets.

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.

Certainly the caffeine in coffee, whether it's Starbucks or generic coffee, is somewhat of a stimulant. But if you drink it in moderation, which I think four or five cups a day is, you're fine.