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.
Interpretation
True worth isn't measured by wealth but by personal values.
This quote emphasizes that one's identity and self-worth should not be tied to financial status or material wealth. Howard Schultz expresses a belief that personal values and principles are far more important indicators of a person's character and success than the mere accumulation of wealth or being recognized among the wealthy elite.
In practice
During a speech about entrepreneurship, one could use this quote to inspire aspiring business owners to prioritize their values.
The rules of engagement around building a brand have changed significantly over the past 10 to 15 years. Where companies at one time could spread their message through traditional marketing, consumers now seek an enduring emotional connection with the companies they patronize. The foundation of that connection is the most important characteristic of building a world-class brand: trust. Trust with your people and trust with your customers.
The future of America is not an entitlement. We have been given a treasure chest of gifts and opportunities, but some people are being left behind, and success is not sustainable unless it is shared.
Starbucks is not an advertiser; people think we are a great marketing company, but in fact we spend very little money on marketing and more money on training our people than advertising.
While their service is ending, our responsibility is just beginning!
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.
When I first discovered in the early 1980s the Italian espresso bars in my trip to Italy, the vision was to re-create that for America - a third place that had not existed before. Starbucks re-created that in America in our own image; a place to go other than home or work. We also created an industry that did not exist: specialty coffee.
No one achieves greatness by becoming a generalist. You don't hone a skill by diluting your attention to its development. The only way to get to the next level is focus.
You long for success? Start at the bottom; dig down.
Most years, if you were to ask me how much I make, the genuine answer is that I have no clue. I usually find out the answer to that question once a year, at tax time, when my accountant tells me.
Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.
He had slipped, climbed, rolled, searched, walked, persevered, that is all. Such is the secret of all triumphs.
I realise that I do not change the course of history. I am an actor, I do a movie, that's the end of it. You have to realise we are just clowns for hire. After I had success it was great, at first, not to worry about money. It was on my mind when I was growing up.
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