I was taken by the power that savoring a simple cup of coffee can have to connect people and create community.

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.

I think growth covers up mistakes.

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

Authentic brands don't emerge from marketing cubicles or advertising agencies. They emanate from everything the company does.

We can't wait for Washington. Business leaders are going to have to galvanize their own constituencies and do everything they can to demonstrate confidence in the economy, and I think that can be contagious.

Success is the by-product when you work toward the target.