. 'He reminded us that the ambitions for Starbucks were focused on large and global company growth." - from Barista to Boardroom recounting Howard Schultz announcing Starbuck's IPO "I look down the now quiet tree lined street and wonder why it wasn't enough? Why wasn't a record breaking weekend at store... Continue Reading →
The Land Before Starbucks- the time before coffee was click-bait
When my sons were much younger they loved dinosaurs. And so they loved animated series of movies starring a group of singing dinosaurs called The Land before Time. I watched those movies with my sons those twenty plus years ago on prehistoric format known as VHS. I had just left a career at a burning... Continue Reading →
Are you mad at Starbucks?
A reasonable question “Are you mad at Starbucks?” My editor asked me over the phone. He had just finished reading an excerpt from Tripio. I had sent him an excerpt from in middle of Tripio. He offered that it had been his experience in editing that writers most often refined the beginnings and ends of... Continue Reading →
Too easy to criticize Starbucks?
Kevin Knox answers another of my questions Question-In the blogosphere, Starbucks seems to be an easy target to hate on for easy clicks. It tends to bother me. Does it bother you? Or is it deserved? Kevin's Answer-I think most of the criticism is uninformed. Howard Schultz deserves enormous respect on the business side (along... Continue Reading →
Building Starbucks one latte at a time
"Well, I can't chicken out now. I can't use an easy excuse. "You must do the things in life you think you cannot do". Eleanor Roosevelt. That quote. That quote stayed with you all the way through Tripio. You had so many chances to quit. Why didn't you? Honestly, because you couldn't. What the hell... Continue Reading →
A Tripio back in time with Kevin Knox-When Starbucks was a coffee place
Question for Kevin- In Tripio, Jay is frustrated by the expectation that all the espresso shots had to be between 18-23 seconds. Did Howard Behar, Howard Schultz really believe all the pours were to specifications? Even on 1,000 customer mornings? Answer-1-1.25 fluid ounces including. crema made from 7 grams of espresso blend in 18-24 seconds.”... Continue Reading →
A Tripio back in time with Howard Behar – Is Starbucks Cosmodemonic?
"The last time I saw Howard was at my store in Oak Park. I was the manager then. He was with the new Regional Manager- Stu. Yes, Stu Fields. God no. I give Stu hell in Tripio. Not really. But, the whole incident with the spilled mocha on the door and Stu talking into his... Continue Reading →
A Tripio back in time with Kevin Knox-Was Starbucks inevitable??
Question for Kevin-If Howard (Schultz) had stayed at Xerox, would Starbucks have come to be? In other words was a company like Starbucks inevitable to some degree? Answer - Without a doubt Starbucks would have remained regional without Howard. I had a conversation with Jerry Baldwin after the buyout and his move down to Peet’s... Continue Reading →
A Tripio back in time with Howard Behar-Part 2
Jay kept his place in line at the Palm Springs Starbucks. He remembered when they used to sell coffee. He remembered all the varietals under the counter. The shiny dark beans, dated and organized by growing region. Such great coffee. For now the line that held Howard Behar and him was not moving very fast.... Continue Reading →
The Siren Agent
To submit a query, please use the form below. Please fill out all fields. If an agent wishes to read your submission, he or she will contact you in response to your query, usually within 6-8 weeks. Which agent would like to submit to? https://www.fineprintart.com/art/history-of-the-starbucks-logo There she is. My agent. She and I actually worked... Continue Reading →