In 1971, a coffeehouse opened in Seattle's historic Pike Place Market. Named after Captain Ahab's first mate in Moby-Dick, this little coffeehouse has become the largest coffeehouse in the world.
With more than 21,000 stores in 65 countries, Starbucks is one of the fastest-growing companies in America. The company skyrocketed from 425 stores in 1994 to 19,767 by 2013. And there's no reason to believe it has any plans of slowing down. So how exactly did the brand experience such phenomenal growth?
Here are 12 of the most important lessons we can learn from Starbucks and its fearless leader, Howard Schultz.
1. Have a Mission