Starbucks taught me a guiding principle I still carry: when you love your work, it shows—and it spreads.
I’ve built multiple seven-figure businesses, worked at Steve Jobs’ hometown Apple Store, and even consulted for the First Lady of California—yet my favorite job was being a Starbucks barista. No joke. Making lattes wasn’t just about coffee; it was a gateway to friendships, life lessons, and an appreciation for genuine human connection. (The free caffeine didn’t hurt, either.)
Starbucks taught me a guiding principle I still carry: when you love your work, it shows—and it spreads. These days, even if I won the lottery, I’d still clean a few pools at Blue Ocean Pool Service and pick up a couple of Starbucks shifts. That sense of joy and connection is worth more than any paycheck.
Ask yourself: Do you love what you’re doing enough to do it even if you didn’t need the money? If the answer is “yes,” share that passion with others. If it’s “no,” maybe it’s time to rediscover—or reinvent—what lights you up.