---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When it comes to Starbucks, I take every…"
description: "\"When it comes to Starbucks, I take every threat very personally.\" — Howard Schultz"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d0/howard-schultz-1317_medicine_when-it-comes-to-starbucks-i-take-every_2862616.png"
---

#  When it comes to Starbucks, I take every threat very…

![“When it comes to Starbucks, I take every threat very personally.” quote by Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d0/howard-schultz-1317_medicine_when-it-comes-to-starbucks-i-take-every_2862616.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d0/howard-schultz-1317_medicine_when-it-comes-to-starbucks-i-take-every_2862616.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d0/howard-schultz-1317_medicine_when-it-comes-to-starbucks-i-take-every_2862616.png)

> “When it comes to Starbucks, I take every threat very personally.”

[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 treats competition and criticism as personal challenges to protect brand reputation.

**In simple terms:** He reacts personally to threats against Starbucks.

Key Takeaway

Defend brand reputation proactively.

Themes

competition brand protection leadership

Mood

defensive determined

Type

business motivational

When to use this quote

- marketing strategy
- customer service
- public relations
- crisis management

Key Concepts

personal responsibility risk management

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance personal investment with strategic objectivity?
- What safeguards can prevent over‑personalization of business threats?

A Different Perspective

May overlook objective analysis, leading to emotional decisions.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Comes Starbucks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comes-starbucks-3870656/) [Medicine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medicine/) [Personally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personally/) [Starbucks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starbucks/) [Starbucks Threat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starbucks-threat-3870654/) [Threat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threat/) [Threat Personally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threat-personally-3870655/)

## Related quotes

> [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/)

> [Starbucks has changed the rules of engagement for the music industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/starbucks-has-changed-the-rules-of-engagement-for-the-music-industry/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [The response to the Starbucks brand has been phenomenal in our international markets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/the-response-to-the-starbucks-brand-has-been-phenomenal-in-our/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [There's this myth that has been exacerbated by others that Starbucks means a $4 cup of coffee, which is not true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/there-s-this-myth-that-has-been-exacerbated-by-others-that-starbucks/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Our history is based on extending the brand to categories within the guardrails of Starbucks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/our-history-is-based-on-extending-the-brand-to-categories-within-the/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [I think people will walk into the Starbucks store and overnight recognize the significant difference between what Starbucks represents day-in and day-out and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/i-think-people-will-walk-into-the-starbucks-store-and-overnight/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Overnight the digital age had changed the course of history for our company. Everything that we thought was in our control no longer was.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/overnight-the-digital-age-had-changed-the-course-of-history-for-our/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [People around the world, they want the authentic Starbucks experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/people-around-the-world-they-want-the-authentic-starbucks-experience/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [When we began Starbucks, what I wanted to try to do was to create a set of values, guiding principles, and culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/when-we-began-starbucks-what-i-wanted-to-try-to-do-was-to-create-a/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Starbucks is rekindling America's love affair with coffee, bringing romance and fresh flavor back to the brew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/starbucks-is-rekindling-america-s-love-affair-with-coffee-bringing/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Starbucks is committed to evolving and enhancing our customer experience with innovative and wholesome food offerings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/starbucks-is-committed-to-evolving-and-enhancing-our-customer/)

[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/)

> [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/)

> [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/)

> [When I first discovered in the early 1980s the Italian espresso bars in my trip to Italy, the vision was to re-create that for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/when-i-first-discovered-in-the-early-1980s-the-italian-espresso-bars/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

## 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 Medicine quotes

> [I think people need to be comfortable questioning the authority of a doctor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susannah-cahalan/i-think-people-need-to-be-comfortable-questioning-the-authority-of-a/)

[Susannah Cahalan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susannah-cahalan/)

> [Tell the truth about your wound, and then you will get a truthful picture of the remedy to apply to it. Don't pack whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarissa-pinkola-estes/tell-the-truth-about-your-wound-and-then-you-will-get-a-truthful/)

[Clarissa Pinkola Estes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarissa-pinkola-estes/)

> [“the doctor hesitated before breaking the news to her. "those aren't stars. it's cancer." - forty years a smoker”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-lovelace/the-doctor-hesitated-before-breaking-the-news-to-her-those-aren-t/)

[Amanda Lovelace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-lovelace/)

> [Every patient carries her or his own doctor inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/every-patient-carries-her-or-his-own-doctor-inside/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

> [Making sure that people have access to preventive medicine for the first time ever as a nation? That's a big deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-schneider/making-sure-that-people-have-access-to-preventive-medicine-for-the/)

[Brad Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-schneider/)

> [being asked to decide between your passion for work and your passion for children was like being asked by your doctor whether you preferred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-bevington/being-asked-to-decide-between-your-passion-for-work-and-your-passion/)

[Helen Bevington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-bevington/)

> [We ought to observe that practice which is the hardest of all-especially for young physicians-we ought to throw in no medicine at all-to abstain-to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-randolph-of-roanoke/we-ought-to-observe-that-practice-which-is-the-hardest-of-all/)

[John Randolph of Roanoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-randolph-of-roanoke/)

> [“old-fashioned, gentle Scottish physician, unmoved by the considerations of profit and personal gain that could so disfigure medicine. That doctors should consider themselves businessmen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-mccall-smith/old-fashioned-gentle-scottish-physician-unmoved-by-the-considerations/)

[Alexander McCall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-mccall-smith/)

> [Do you think that was kind? Do you think it was godlike? What would you think of a physician, if a woman came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-h-gardener/do-you-think-that-was-kind-do-you-think-it-was-godlike-what-would-you/)

[Helen H. Gardener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-h-gardener/)

> [The World Health Organisation has a lot of its medical experts sitting in Geneva while hospitals in Africa have no drugs and desperate patients…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauline-hanson/the-world-health-organisation-has-a-lot-of-its-medical-experts/)

[Pauline Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauline-hanson/)

> [Antidepressants are the biggest fraud in the world. Number one, Prozac gives you a royal soft-on like you wouldn't believe, and number two you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-evans/antidepressants-are-the-biggest-fraud-in-the-world-number-one-prozac/)

[Robert Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-evans/)

> [“I intend to study love as well as medicine, for it is one of the most mysterious and remarkable diseases that afflict mankind, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-intend-to-study-love-as-well-as-medicine-for-it-is-one-of-the-most/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [You know, in playing a role like this, you really want to get it right, because this is a person who was revered by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-stuart-masterson/you-know-in-playing-a-role-like-this-you-really-want-to-get-it-right/)

[Mary Stuart Masterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-stuart-masterson/)

> [I've always been interested in medicine and was pleased when my brother became a doctor. But after thinking seriously about that field, I realized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-lowry/i-ve-always-been-interested-in-medicine-and-was-pleased-when-my/)

[Lois Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-lowry/)

> [Medicine is magical and magical is art, the boy in the bubble, and the baby with the baboon heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/medicine-is-magical-and-magical-is-art-the-boy-in-the-bubble-and-the/)

[Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/)

[Browse all 5,709 Medicine quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medicine/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When it comes to Starbucks, I take every threat very personally.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Howard Schultz"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/when-it-comes-to-starbucks-i-take-every-threat-very-personally/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Medicine"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/when-it-comes-to-starbucks-i-take-every-threat-very-personally/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d0/howard-schultz-1317_medicine_when-it-comes-to-starbucks-i-take-every_2862616.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d0/howard-schultz-1317_medicine_when-it-comes-to-starbucks-i-take-every_2862616.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d0/howard-schultz-1317_medicine_when-it-comes-to-starbucks-i-take-every_2862616.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When it comes to Starbucks, I take every threat very personally.” — Howard Schultz",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Howard Schultz",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When it comes to Starbucks, I...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/when-it-comes-to-starbucks-i-take-every-threat-very-personally/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/when-it-comes-to-starbucks-i-take-every-threat-very-personally/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
