Zev Siegl
Zev Siegl is a renowned entrepreneur and business executive, best known asone of the Founding Partners of Starbucks, a globally recognized and iconic coffeehouse chain. In 1971, alongsideJerry BaldwinandGordon Bowker,Siegl co-established the Starbucks Coffee Company in Seattle, Washington. The name "Starbucks" was inspired by the romance of the high seas and early coffee trading traditions.
Their visionwas clear: to provide customers with the world's finest, fresh-roasted, whole-bean coffees while celebrating the rich tradition of coffee brewing and fostering unwavering customer loyalty. In the early days, Siegl, a former history teacher, was the sole paid employee of the nascentStarbucks Coffee Company.
After serving as Vice President for ten years, Siegl decided to depart Starbucks in 1980 when the company had grown to include six stores in the Seattle area, in addition to a substantial wholesale business.
Following his exit from Starbucks, Zev Siegl became a serial entrepreneur, embarking on various ventures.He founded Quartermaine Coffee Roastersin Washington DC and Peerless Pie in Seattle. Additionally, he started his own consulting company, providing guidance to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs on topics such as securing funding for new ventures, financial forecasting, planning, private equity offerings, and other funding-related aspects.
From 2004 to 2012, Siegl served as the Lead Advisor of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for Southwest King County (Seattle). In this role, he provided invaluable advice and mentorship to over 500 entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Moreover, Zev Siegl's influence extends globally ashe has been a featured speaker at numerous major entrepreneurship, investor, and corporate eventsacross various countries, including Kuwait, Johannesburg, Santiago de Chile, Hyderabad, Copenhagen, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Bogota, Kuala Lumpur, and London, among others.
One of Siegl's passions lies in inspiring and nurturing young entrepreneurs. He shares practical insights and personal stories from his experiences as a Founding Partner of Starbucks to guide aspiring entrepreneurs on how to start and grow successful businesses. From crafting a vision to seeking mentors and partners, securing funding, setting up operations, product development, and launch, Siegl's expertise helps aspiring entrepreneurs navigate the challenging path to becoming successful business owners. His contributions to the business world, coupled with his dedication to fostering entrepreneurship, make Zev Siegl a prominent figure in the field of startups and business development.
