The first step to truly enjoying a cup of coffee is knowing where it came from–how the beans were harvested, what country they came from, and even how they roast the beans to make a 12 ounce cup of liquid energy. Today, I am doing the same thing with the prospering company known as Starbucks; I am finding out where its beans originated before following the rest of the company’s journey through the stock exchange.
The earliest seed of the corporation dates back to 1971 at a small market in Seattle. It started as a small store in Pike Place Market, and it only sold a small variety of coffee and tea to Seattle pedestrians. As pictured below, this location diverges from the image we hold of a modern Starbucks store, but it shows the authenticity and the foundation of this American-born coffee company.
Since its humble beginnings, Starbucks has grown to include many new options on the menu. While sticking true to its coffee roots, the company has expanded to sell pastries, create premium teas, and invent new delicacies such as the Frappuccino–a signature, blended beverage. The most valuable product of Starbucks, however, is the environment that it produced. The location is seen by many as a study-spot or a meeting-place for a quick snack instead of an elaborate meal. It markets itself as a “neighborhood gathering place.” This particular byproduct of the company has been the most difficult to replicate by other coffee companies, making it a standout in its field.
Staying true to its original roots, the company’s headquarters remains in Seattle under the leadership of CEO Kevin Johnson (pictured below).
The company experienced its fair share of scandals and headlining stories. The latest story deals with former CEO Howard Schultz, as many predicted that he would run in the 2020 presidential election. Schultz made significant changes to the Starbucks company that created the brand that we know and love today. For more information about his status in the election, click here to access a Wall Street Journal article about his latest announcement about his involvement.
I chose this company because like many other members of my generation, I have fallen for Starbucks’ advertising techniques. I joined the bandwagon to become a dedicated customer (and I refuse to call myself an addict because of my ability to function without daily caffeine intake). Therefore, I feel like it would be in my best interest to follow a company that makes me feel like part of the community. I definitely would work for this company because of its current social initiatives and its prevalence in our culture. Additionally, I would most likely invest in this stock, seeing its been on a steady incline for the last couple of years.
Before parting from this blog with a link to more information about the founding of the company, I want to start a tradition of leaving a recommendation for the next time you visit your local Starbucks. For this post, I would recommend my personal favorite drink: an iced chai tea latte with vanilla. Thank you for following my journey through the roots of the Starbucks corporation by finding out the origins of this cup of coffee this week. Happy caffienating!
https://www.starbucks.com/about-us/company-information
Jenna Kurtz 
nice job, Jenna. I like the brief blurb about Starbucks and the project at the top of your home page. I also liked the bold style, with the black background with white text, as well as your use of images in the post. Great idea for offering a recommendation each week – nice way to personalize your blog!
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