Notes from Podcasts

How Starbucks Took Over the World — with Howard Schultz on Acquired

Jatin Chaudhary

Salesman @eChaiVentures l Good at managing WhatsApp groups n organizing high quality, large gathe...

https://youtu.be/A0fvX-wV70Y?si=yyqZc42nKxxDxzcN

Source: Acquired

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Before the frappuccinos, PSLs, and 40,000 stores, Starbucks was just a quirky little coffee bean shop in Seattle — and Howard Schultz wasn’t even the founder.

This episode is different. For the first time ever, Howard Schultz joins the Acquired podcast not just as a guest, but as a cohost — telling the entire story of how he took a six-store operation in 1987 and built it into one of the most iconic global brands.

Howard is fully out now — no board seat, no CEO role, no plans to return — so what you get is raw, unfiltered reflection. From big vision bets to cultural missteps, it's honest, deep, and surprisingly emotional.

✅ Brand building lessons
✅ Culture, leadership, retail scale
✅ How not to lose your brand soul at scale

It’s rare to hear a founder at this stage talk like this.

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"After moving back from the USA, eChai became my go-to space to learn how the Indian startup ecosystem works. It offered direct exposure to startup thinking and a community that openly shares business insights. What stood out was how easy it was to connect, learn, and grow through real conversations. As we built our IT hardware rentals business, eChai helped us find our niche and refine our path. Proud and grateful to be part of this amazing community."

Heet Sheth

Growth and Tech, Sheth Info

"For me, eChai is a second home. I've been associated with it since the early days, when it was already setting a different tone for how startup communities could work. As a traditional business owner entering the new-age D2C space, eChai supported me in every direction. Over the years, it became my window to the startup world — and also gave me lifelong friends who continue to show up, for business and beyond."

Pankaj Bhimani

Founder, 58miles

“When we launched LegalWiz.in back in 2016, concept of procuring legal and compliance services through a digital commerce platform wasn't as prominent in India. eChai played a significant role in providing the early adopters, and building significant positioning in the startup fraternity. Overtime, eChai grew to be a massive network of like-minded entrepreneurs and extended that benefit to all the members in a true "co-rise" spirit. I personally love to attend eChai events, learn from subject matter experts who share relatable and actionable insights and experiences. For startup journeys, it is so important to be surrounded by people who can add relevance, perspective, and push you to do better. Most importantly a group of people where you aren't being judged about things going right or wrong, but be a motivational force that keeps you going, yet keeping you in check. eChai is that place for me!”

Shrijay Sheth

Founder at LegalWiz.in and Hire4Higher Consulting

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