Zev Siegl is a distinguished serial entrepreneur, best known as a Co-founder of Starbucks Coffee Company, one of the world's most recognized and valuable retail brands. His career embodies the journey from a simple, passionate vision—to offer the world's finest, fresh-roasted coffee—to establishing a global enterprise. His expertise is rooted in the early-stage development, scaling, and operational realities of a transformative consumer brand.
In 1971, Siegl, a former history teacher, co-founded Starbucks and served as its only paid employee and Vice President for its first ten years. His mission was focused on celebrating the rich tradition of coffee and fostering a sense of connection in the coffee shop. Following his exit in 1980, he applied his hands-on experience to a series of subsequent ventures, including Quartermaine Coffee Roasters and Peerless Pie, demonstrating his consistent entrepreneurial spirit and ability to establish successful niche businesses.
For eight years (2004–2012), Siegl dedicated himself to nurturing the next generation of business owners, serving as the Lead Advisor of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for Southwest King County, Seattle, where he advised over 500 entrepreneurs. This deep commitment to mentorship forms the core of his current consulting work, where he advises small business owners on critical areas like financial forecasting, private equity offerings, and securing growth funding.
As a speaker, Siegl is passionate about sharing the practical insights gained from co-founding Starbucks and his numerous subsequent ventures. He offers aspiring entrepreneurs a crucial roadmap, covering essential steps from setting a vision and identifying partners to securing funding and product launch. His presentations are invaluable for those seeking a clear, experience-based path to becoming successful business owners and navigating the challenges of creating a dominant market presence.
