Tatiana Zurabyan’s Post

I am no finance expert (or coffee expert). But I do like the hypothesis that at least part of Starbucks’ problem is that it’s no longer a “third place.” When I meet a friend or colleague at a coffee shop, I want a welcoming atmosphere (and a child-friendly environment, because I usually have a toddler in tow and will soon have a baby with me as well!). The quality of the drinks and food is, usually, secondary. I usually prefer an independent coffee shop, and the small town where I live has one in town and several nearby. I agree that Starbucks used to be that place. Now, with its prices comparable to the craft drinks but its in-store experience often incomparable, it’s hard to find a reason to go there. When we go to Starbucks, it’s usually to hit a drive-through for some caffeine on a road trip. At my favorite local coffee shop, the owner knows my daughter’s name and says hi to her as soon as she says hi to me. She offers events, including a free monthly toddler storytime. She sells locally-made products. It’s not really about the food and drinks (although they’re good, too). It’s about the people. And really, that’s what every business should be about: the people. #starbucks #hospitality #peoplefirst #empathy #customerservice

Have you ever waited 15+ minutes for your Starbucks coffee? You're far from alone. One customer we spoke with waited 40 minutes. And some folks are waiting as long as an hour for their iced caramel macchiatos. Baristas say understaffing is contributing to the delays. Some have started to notice fewer workers during certain times of the day, and many say they're struggling to keep up with in-person, drive-thru, mobile and delivery orders. Starbucks says its model ensures stores are appropriately staffed. Executives also made the point that, sometimes, the issues jamming up stores aren't about labor -- in reality, equipment or a less-than-ideal process can be the culprit. The company has a plan to speed up service that includes switching how drinks are made. Unpaywalled link below:

You are ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR PEOPLE! Here is a little story from last week… I went to Starbucks twice last week. I am not your typical customer as l don’t drink coffee nor consume sugar but this is the only place in town where I can get “a grande matcha latte soya no sugar extra foam… and served in my own take-away mug 🍵” Thursday I got my mug back. Typically it’s filled to the brim but this time it came back 2/3 full… Surprised, I asked: “Why? I always get it full”. To which the store manager replied: “No, this is what it is, you ordered a grande”. To which I replied back “yes but you only have one size for the matcha; I always get it back full as I ask for extra foam (ie AIR bubbles which accounts for at least the other 1/3)”. To which he replied back “A grande is a grande”. Needless to say I walked out a dissatisfied customer. Friday I went to a different Starbucks in my same city, preparing for the worst… but I did crave my matcha! I got my mug back which was also 2/3 full… but as the employee was pouring it she said spontaneously “look I have all this extra-extra foam here… is it ok if I put it in to fill it to the brim?” I go only maybe 20x times a year to Starbucks but which experience do you think would make me go more often? In summary: You are only as good as your people. Who would you pick to have in your team? Which employee will you be? The Thursday or the Friday employee? #employees #humanresources #peoplemanagement #greatteams #greatleaders #customersatisfaction #customerservice Starbucks

I let my head hit the pillow and experience the following dream: I stand adrift in a Starbucks queue. It was a Starbucks I knew. There are multiple stores I visit on different days. This was all of them, and it was none of them all at once. The main part of the dream was the conversation I was having with the barista concerning my usual order: A Venti sized Iced Long Black. I was within the decision-making process on how to say my order, most important was the question of how many shots this intense drink actually had. This size of coffee already has 4 shots. It suddenly seemed necessary to go ahead and request it as “A Venti Iced Long Black, with an extra shot please. Being sure to clarify that yes, I really wanted 5 shots of coffee. That is what I’m asking for, that is what I want to happen to me. A multiverse of baristas assuring me some customers ask for much worse, this is fine, that they are not in the least bit surprised. If I need 5 shots today, then they totally understand. The conversation unravels in and out of view perpetually. I order the coffee. I walk away with a cardboard cup holder shielding the cold, Icey handful. I take a sip as I am in transit. I am on my way somewhere. Heading towards my long workday. I wander, the world bustles, and a day seems pass. I find myself in the Starbucks queue again. My place in the queue renewed, the conversation ready to begin again. Yes of course. 5 shots IS the perfect amount for YOU. This is what you’ve needed all along, it’s quite vital you remember this always. 4 shots have always been there, But today you are going to order 5! When you have finished sipping that cold drink, when it’s done, you will have consumed five whole shots of this nectar of the gods. There’s nothing you won’t be able to do, nothing you won’t be able to see. And just as I had another cup in my grasp, as I began to explore, traverse the world again, another pleasant day seemed to have passed. Once again, I felt I was at a doorway, at the precipice of a conversation. A conversation I was getting used to. A conversation about how today, and every-day. I would like exactly 5 shots of coffee in my iced long black. I have never been more certain of anything in my life. I woke from the dream, feeling so refreshed and alive with the ideas within it, it was as if I’d consumed all the coffees from my dreams through some kind of osmosis. My heart fluttering just a bit as my brain calculated when I would next be within striking distance of a real cafe, where this fateful conversation could take place for real. Soon. I thought to myself. Sometime very soon. #starbucks #coffee #dream

Happy Pi Day! My friends know I’m a big-time jokester, so I enjoy adding light-hearted jokes throughout my day. For example, when I go to Starbucks, I ask for my tea with 3.14159265359 inches of steamed soy. The barista often will give me a double-take, confused by my ultra-specific order, and others understand that I’m referring to Pi. I wanted to share that example because, too often, we go through our day without putting much thought or intention into anything we do. I call those transactions. We order coffee, go to the grocery store, pay our bills, and go to work habitually without any intention behind our actions or behaviors. It’s anything but transformational. Going back to my Starbucks barista interaction, I do that because I want to throw them off a bit, make them laugh, and have a fun conversation. These actions can lead to transformation in us and in the people we interact with--because by not making an interaction transactional, we can connect deeper with others.

Want to increase your prices by 5-10X? I remember when I first heard about Starbucks. I was in college, chugging down $.75 coffees with unlimited free refills at our campus restaurant. I heard about this place with $4 coffees... and NO refills! At the time, I thought it'd never last. After all, who's gonna spend 5 times more to get basically the same thing? What I didn't realize until years later was that Starbucks wasn't just selling coffee, not really. Coffee is a commodity. Tons of people have it, which drives down the price. What is Starbucks selling? An experience, a feeling of being special. I just recently spent $40 on drinks & food there to celebrate our anniversary. And as always, they were kind, patient, & quick with the order. And when I needed something redone from a mess-up (rare, but they're still human), they fixed it, with a smile, like it was no inconvenience at all. It's all about the experience. Making the customer feel special, important, like nothing else matters. They have some of the best training on customer service out there & they provide that special, customer-centric experience consistently. In fact, we've been going to Starbucks for 15+ years & I don't recall a single instance where that experience was lost. And THAT'S why they can sell coffee, normally a commodity, for 5-10 X's what it might cost elsewhere. And if we can create an amazing experience for our customers or clients, we can do the same & still have them coming back for more! People want a great experience. Give it to them!

This is not a business related post per se, but being that everyone reading this is a human being, and we should care deeply about the welfare of those around us, I am reposting for your evaluation. This is not to speak specifically to Starbucks, but to the amount of plastics and forever chemicals that our convenience living has accustomed us to ingesting. Butter wrappers, processed food containers, the beloved coffee cup, and my Achilles heel the Ziploc bag, all have the potential to leach toxic chemicals / plastics into our bodies. The solution? I am not sure, other than limit exposure as much as possible, with the realization that our lives won't really allow us to eliminate all exposure. And if you manufacture, sell, or use these products to distribute to consumers, it is time to rethink what is possible and retool your supply chain.

Before resorting to lowering your price, explore ways to increase the value you deliver. You can make a dirt-cheap cup of coffee at home, or you can drive all the way out to a Starbucks location to spend 5-10X the amount for an insanely customized and fancily-named cup of coffee in an iconic white and green cup. Starbucks is more expensive, yet it's GROWING, so clearly price isn't the issue. Look at the value you're offering! In what ways does Starbucks offer value to its customers? Comment your thoughts!

☕ Why I Quit Drinking Starbucks ☕ I used to be a daily Starbucks customer, savoring that morning cup of coffee like a ritual. But one day, I realized something: I wasn’t just buying coffee; I was buying convenience, habit, and a brand story. But what was it really giving me? Beyond the comfort of a familiar logo, I started questioning the value. The long lines, the ever-increasing prices, and the sugar-laden options no longer felt like a treat—they felt like a trap. I was supporting a giant corporation when I could be exploring local cafes, making my own coffee, or simply being more mindful of my choices. Quitting Starbucks wasn’t just about cutting back on caffeine; it was about reassessing my habits and where I invest my time and money. It’s amazing how such a small decision can ripple into greater awareness in other areas of life. Now, I’m enjoying coffee on my terms. Whether it's brewing my own at home, supporting a local business, or simply taking a moment to enjoy a quiet morning, it feels more personal, more intentional. Sometimes, stepping away from something so ingrained in our daily routine allows us to see things more clearly. And honestly? I haven’t missed it. Have you ever reassessed a small habit that led to a bigger change? #LifestyleChoices #MindfulLiving #IntentionalLiving #SmallChanges #PersonalGrowth