In 1983, Howard Schultz was sent by the small coffee company he worked for in Seattle to an international housewares show in Milan, Italy. He traveled alone and stayed at a hotel off the beaten path.

Schultz passed his spare time by strolling through Milan’s neighborhoods, fascinated by the coffee bars on almost every corner. He marveled at the baristas’ flair as they grounded beans and pulled shots of espresso and steamed milk while chatting with the customers.