Zev Siegl is a Founding Partner of Starbucks, a company that has now become one of the world’s most recognised brands. In 1971 Siegl, Jerry Baldwin, and Gordon Bowker established their first venture, Starbucks Coffee Company, in Seattle. The name evoked the romance of the high seas and the seafaring... Read more
Zev Siegl is a Founding Partner of Starbucks, a company that has now become one of the world’s most recognised brands.
In 1971 Siegl, Jerry Baldwin, and Gordon Bowker established their first venture, Starbucks Coffee Company, in Seattle. The name evoked the romance of the high seas and the seafaring tradition of the early coffee traders.
Their mission was simple, from their first storefront in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market, they were going to offer some of the world’s finest, fresh-roasted, whole bean coffees. It was going to celebrate the rich tradition of coffee and build breakthrough degree of customer loyalty.
Siegl, a former history teacher, was the only paid employee in the early days of Starbucks Coffee Company. In 1980, after ten years as Vice President, Siegl exited Starbucks, which by then had expended to six Seattle-area stores and a substantial wholesale business.
Following his departure from Starbucks Siegl became a serial entrepreneur, founding, among other businesses, Quartermaine Coffee Roasters in Washington DC, and Peerless Pie in Seattle. He also started his own consulting company that serves owners of small business enterprises and aspiring entrepreneurs regarding funding new companies’ growth needs, financial forecasting, planning, private equity offerings, and applying for other types of funding.
From 2004-12 Siegl served as the Lead Advisor of the Small Business Development Center [SBDC] for Southwest King County [Seattle]. During those eight years he advised more than 500 entrepreneurs and owners of small business enterprises.
From 2012 to the present, Siegl has presented at major global entrepreneurship/investor and corporate events in Kuwait, Johannesburg, Santiago de Chile, Hyderabad, Copenhagen, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Bogota, Kuala Lumpur, London, etc.
Siegl is totally passionate about his mission to inspire and develop young entrepreneurs. He brings practical insights regarding how to start-up a successful business as he shares stories about his own experiences as Starbucks Founding Partner. From setting a vision, identifying mentors and partners, securing funding, setting up operations, product development and launch, Siegl helps aspiring entrepreneurs navigate their way to becoming successful business owners.