Before Starbucks revolutionized the coffee industry, coffee in America was a commodity, simple and utilitarian. For decades, the landscape of coffee culture remained largely unchanged: a drink associated with convenience rather than experience, brewed in kitchens and diners, and consumed in hurried sips to fuel the day ahead. Coffee was a part of the routine, not the ritual. For many, it was nothing more than a means to an end, a quick caffeine fix with little regard for the source of the beans or the art behind the brew.The early coffee scene in America was dominated by a few large players, such as Folgers and Maxwell House, who brewed what was widely available, generic, mass-produced coffee. For most, this was the extent of their relationship with coffee. When they sought out their daily cup, it was little more than a routine. The very concept of a coffeehouse, where customers would gather, sip, and savor their drinks in a place that offered comfort and conversation, was foreign to most Americans. In Europe, coffeehouses were rich with tradition, serving as centers of intellectual exchange, art, and social interaction. But in the United States, such establishments had not yet found their place.It was a remarkable leap, one fueled by Schultz's relentless belief in the potential of Starbucks and his ability to adapt the Italian coffeehouse culture into the American context. Under his leadership, Starbucks would grow from a single store in Seattle to a company with thousands of locations worldwide, forever changing the way people thought about coffee and its place in their daily lives.Schultz's decision to lead Starbucks with a focus on experience, not just the product, marked a new chapter in the company's history. He turned the simple act of drinking coffee into something more, a ritual, a place, a moment of connection. As Starbucks began its rapid expansion, it would redefine coffee culture in America and the world, shaping not only a business but a global social experience. The spark of inspiration that ignited the transformation of Starbucks came not just from the coffee but from the vision of a man who understood the power of culture, connection, and community.Starbucks had moved beyond the realm of a simple coffee shop. It was becoming a movement, and its story was just beginning. Read inside for detail