Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Denver news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Des Moines news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Minneapolis-St. Paul news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Tampa Bay news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Charlotte news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Photo: Howard Schultz/Instagram
Former Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz plans to travel the country beginning early next year, including stops in states that could help in a possible Democratic presidential run.
Driving the news: Schultz, 65, will hit the road to promote his book that'll come out Feb. 12, with the campaign-y title: "From the Ground Up: A Journey to Reimagine the Promise of America."
This isn't the coffee story:
- The publisher, Random House Group, says the book "begins with the story of how a boyhood fraught with shame and fear motivated Schultz to become the first in his family to graduate from college and build the kind of company that his father, a working class laborer, never had a chance to work for."
- "A parallel narrative offers a behind-the-scenes look at Schultz’s journey to challenge preconceived notions of corporate responsibility. From health insurance, stock ownership, and free college tuition for part-time baristas to controversial campaigns about race and refugees, Starbucks became a lab for innovative ideas."
Be smart: In a message that sounds much like a national platform, Schultz will emphasize opportunity for younger Americans.
- We hear that Schultz will argue that taking care of people and succeeding aren't mutually exclusive — that, in fact, one leads to the other.
- He'll talk about flouting the prevailing ethos on Wall Street of minimizing employee costs, and instead building a loyal, engaged workforce.
- This is no Medicare for All: Schultz will make a very centrist case, arguing that both business and government have roles in unlocking human potential.
- Looking ahead, Schultz is said to be considering both public service, and promoting catalytic philanthropy and social entrepreneurship at scale.
The buzz: Democrats doubt there's room in the party's presidential race for two corporate celebrities to the right of Bernie.
- So watch whether Michael Bloomberg beats Schultz into the race.