--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I grew up in a working class family where…" description: "\"I grew up in a working class family where there was no health insurance. I saw first hand the fracturing of the American dream and the bitterness that ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f89/howard-schultz-1317_american-dream_i-grew-up-in-a-working-class-family-wher_2837795.png" --- # I grew up in a working class family where there was no… ![“I grew up in a working class family where there was no health insurance. I saw first hand the fracturing of the American dream and the bitterness that comes when there is no hope and a lot of despair. So I wanted to build the company, in a sense, that my father never got a chance to work for.” quote by Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f89/howard-schultz-1317_american-dream_i-grew-up-in-a-working-class-family-wher_2837795.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f89/howard-schultz-1317_american-dream_i-grew-up-in-a-working-class-family-wher_2837795.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f89/howard-schultz-1317_american-dream_i-grew-up-in-a-working-class-family-wher_2837795.png) > “I grew up in a working class family where there was no health insurance. I saw first hand the fracturing of the American dream and the bitterness that comes when there is no hope and a lot of despair. So I wanted to build the company, in a sense, that my father never got a chance to work for.” [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He reflects on his working‑class background and lack of safety nets, motivating him to create opportunities his father missed. **In simple terms:** His past fuels a drive to build supportive companies. Key Takeaway Turn personal hardship into purpose‑driven entrepreneurship. Themes resilience social responsibility entrepreneurship Mood hopeful determined Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - business leadership - policy advocacy - community development - social enterprise - mentoring Key Concepts social mobility economic inequality legacy building Questions to Reflect On - What structures can help those without safety nets start businesses? - How does personal history shape corporate mission? A Different Perspective Economic constraints can limit entrepreneurial risk‑taking. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-dream/) [Bitterness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bitterness/) [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despair/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [No hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/no-hope/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) [Working class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-class/) ## Related quotes > [There's a lot of despair in the USA. Young people are afraid for the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/there-s-a-lot-of-despair-in-the-usa-young-people-are-afraid-for-the/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [“sometimes I wake up in the morning, and I have to make the right choice again. The shadow of bitterness comes that fast on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-k-sorrells/sometimes-i-wake-up-in-the-morning-and-i-have-to-make-the-right/) [Amy K. Sorrells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-k-sorrells/) > [“During those periods in which our bitterness of spirit, though steadily diminishing, still persists, a distinction must be drawn between the bitterness which comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/during-those-periods-in-which-our-bitterness-of-spirit-though/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [After bitterness comes the sweet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/after-bitterness-comes-the-sweet/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The certainty of a God giving meaning to life far surpasses in attractiveness the ability to behave badly with impunity. The choice would not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-certainty-of-a-god-giving-meaning-to-life-far-surpasses-in/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [Those who, like the beasts, have no such Hope, pass their old age shrouded with an inward gloom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilfred-owen/those-who-like-the-beasts-have-no-such-hope-pass-their-old-age/) [Wilfred Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilfred-owen/) > [I have searched all night and day for new and better words that could express my feelings and fear for the people of this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/killer-mike/i-have-searched-all-night-and-day-for-new-and-better-words-that-could/) [Killer Mike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/killer-mike/) > [Where there is no vision, there is no hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington-carver/where-there-is-no-vision-there-is-no-hope/) [George Washington Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington-carver/) > [I wanted to see the place where Margaret grew to what she is, even at the worst time of all, when I had no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/i-wanted-to-see-the-place-where-margaret-grew-to-what-she-is-even-at/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Faith is the cure that heals all troubles. Without faith there is no hope and no love. Faith comes before hope, and before love.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-torday/faith-is-the-cure-that-heals-all-troubles-without-faith-there-is-no/) [Paul Torday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-torday/) > [Whatsoever you are waiting for, you are waiting in vain. It is not going to happen, and what is going to happen has nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/whatsoever-you-are-waiting-for-you-are-waiting-in-vain-it-is-not/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [The tragedy in his life already existed. To love an atmospheric spirit. That was the real sorrow. Hopelessness itself. Nowhere on the printed page,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/the-tragedy-in-his-life-already-existed-to-love-an-atmospheric-spirit/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [We have no hope and yet we live in longing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/we-have-no-hope-and-yet-we-live-in-longing/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [Nothing to me is more distasteful than that entire complacency and satisfaction which beam in the countenances of a new married couple; in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/nothing-to-me-is-more-distasteful-than-that-entire-complacency-and/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [Outside of Paris, there is no hope for the cultured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/outside-of-paris-there-is-no-hope-for-the-cultured/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) ## More by Howard Schultz > [For Starbucks, there will be no shortage of the highest-quality arabica beans. I suspect that for some others there could potentially be a problem,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/for-starbucks-there-will-be-no-shortage-of-the-highest-quality/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [If it Captures Your Imagination, it will captivate others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/if-it-captures-your-imagination-it-will-captivate-others/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [If you look at coffee, tea, food and juice, we think there are inherent opportunities. If you look at health bars or grab-and-go products…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/if-you-look-at-coffee-tea-food-and-juice-we-think-there-are-inherent/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [The success of the Starbucks has been based on this balance between profitability and a social conscience. Everywhere we're doing business, were trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/the-success-of-the-starbucks-has-been-based-on-this-balance-between/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [Companies should not have a singular view of profitability. There needs to be a balance between commerce and social responsibility... The companies that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/companies-should-not-have-a-singular-view-of-profitability-there/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [Success is best when its shared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/success-is-best-when-its-shared/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [While their service is ending, our responsibility is just beginning!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/while-their-service-is-ending-our-responsibility-is-just-beginning/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [“Living in the same city as Microsoft, I’m only too aware that, even in low-technology businesses like coffee, the Next Big Thing could knock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/living-in-the-same-city-as-microsoft-i-m-only-too-aware-that-even-in/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [We have a big opportunity in China. We think the number of stores here can rival the number in North America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/we-have-a-big-opportunity-in-china-we-think-the-number-of-stores-here/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [Starbucks is not an advertiser; people think we are a great marketing company, but in fact we spend very little money on marketing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/starbucks-is-not-an-advertiser-people-think-we-are-a-great-marketing/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [We woke up one day, and all the sudden Starbucks was in the middle of this political crossfire between the people who want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/we-woke-up-one-day-and-all-the-sudden-starbucks-was-in-the-middle-of/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [I'm in a different position than most CEO's. I'm a founder. I'm not a hired CEO. Now, I can be fired by the board,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/i-m-in-a-different-position-than-most-ceo-s-i-m-a-founder-i-m-not-a/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [Profitability is a shallow goal if it doesn't have a real purpose, and the purpose has to be share the profits with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/profitability-is-a-shallow-goal-if-it-doesn-t-have-a-real-purpose-and/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [And with the right mentor, don't be afraid to expose your vulnerabilities. Admit you don't know what you don't know. When you acknowledge your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/and-with-the-right-mentor-don-t-be-afraid-to-expose-your/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [People in Washington need to put their feet in the shoes of working Americans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/people-in-washington-need-to-put-their-feet-in-the-shoes-of-working/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) [Explore all 252 Howard Schultz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) ## More American dream quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [Are we a nation of guarantees or are we a nation of opportunities to achieve the American dream?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-mcdonnell/are-we-a-nation-of-guarantees-or-are-we-a-nation-of-opportunities-to/) [Bob McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-mcdonnell/) > [I believe keeping our promises should be our highest priority and that means saving Social Security and Medicare while preserving the American dream for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-coburn/i-believe-keeping-our-promises-should-be-our-highest-priority-and/) [Tom Coburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-coburn/) > [Our families and our homes are the center of American life, Everything we do is to make those homes-and the lives in them-more beautiful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stewart/our-families-and-our-homes-are-the-center-of-american-life-everything/) [Martha Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stewart/) > [I want people to know where I come from. I think I have come really far from that, and I did it on my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/i-want-people-to-know-where-i-come-from-i-think-i-have-come-really/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [We need to remain a nation that doesn't just welcome but that celebrates legal immigrants who come here seeking to pursue the American Dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/we-need-to-remain-a-nation-that-doesn-t-just-welcome-but-that/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [By disgracing and degrading the presidency of the United States, by fleeing the White House like a diseased cur, Richard Nixon broke the heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/by-disgracing-and-degrading-the-presidency-of-the-united-states-by/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [So many Korean Americans like me came to this country with the hope of achieving their own American Dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-steel/so-many-korean-americans-like-me-came-to-this-country-with-the-hope/) [Michelle Steel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-steel/) > [“Let's make no mistake about this: The American Dream starts with the neighborhoods. If we wish to rebuild our cities, we must first rebuild…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-milk/let-s-make-no-mistake-about-this-the-american-dream-starts-with-the/) [Harvey Milk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-milk/) > [As a kid, I learned from my parents, teachers, coaches, and friends that what mattered most was Truth - to uncover it, share it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shiva-ayyadurai/as-a-kid-i-learned-from-my-parents-teachers-coaches-and-friends-that/) [Shiva Ayyadurai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shiva-ayyadurai/) > [Theres a zoom up in the TV screen Living cancer to our self-esteem yea Cause if this an airless beauty queen But everything aint…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valentinooo-c/theres-a-zoom-up-in-the-tv-screen-living-cancer-to-our-self-esteem/) Valentinooo\_c > [College is part of the American dream. It shouldnt be part of a financial nightmare for families](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/college-is-part-of-the-american-dream-it-shouldnt-be-part-of-a/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [“New Rule: Americans must realize what makes NFL football so great: socialism. That's right, the NFL takes money from the rich teams and gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/new-rule-americans-must-realize-what-makes-nfl-football-so-great/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [I believe it from the bottom of my heart, and your sons and daughters, too, can have the American dream come true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-a-ribicoff/i-believe-it-from-the-bottom-of-my-heart-and-your-sons-and-daughters/) [Abraham A. Ribicoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-a-ribicoff/) > [I dare to imagine a country where every child I hold in my hands, are all God's children, regardless of the color of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wellstone/i-dare-to-imagine-a-country-where-every-child-i-hold-in-my-hands-are/) [Paul Wellstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wellstone/) [Browse all 1,001 American dream quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-dream/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I grew up in a working class family where there was no health insurance. I saw first hand the fracturing of the American dream and the bitterness that comes when there is no hope and a lot of despair. 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