| Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Writer, Philanthropist |
| Birth | 1948 in Washington, D.C. |
| Co-Founded Starbucks | Bowker, along with Jerry Baldwin and Zev Siegl, founded Starbucks in Seattle, Washington in 1971 |
| Board Positions | Bowker served on the board of directors of Weight Watchers International and Electronic Arts |
| Donations | Bowker has donated millions of dollars to organizations such as the Seattle Public Library and the University of Washington |
| Book Author | Bowker authored the book “Empire of Tea: The Asian Leaf that Conquered the World” which explores the history of tea and its impact on global trade and culture |
| Net Worth | Estimated at around $500 million USD |
Gordon Bowker is an American entrepreneur, author, and co-founder of the popular coffee chain, Starbucks. Born on February 4, 1948, in Washington, D.C., Bowker grew up in Seattle, Washington, where he attended the University of Washington and graduated with a degree in Russian literature.
Early Career
After college, Bowker worked as a freelance writer and editor, contributing to publications such as Harper’s and The New Yorker. He also worked as a writer and editor for the Seattle Weekly, a popular alternative newspaper.
Founding Starbucks
In 1971, Bowker and his business partners, Jerry Baldwin and Zev Siegl, founded Starbucks Coffee Company in Seattle. The three men were inspired by a coffee roasting trip they took to Italy and believed that they could bring a similar coffee culture to the United States.
Under Bowker’s leadership, Starbucks expanded rapidly, opening new stores across the United States and eventually going public in 1992. Bowker served as the company’s CEO from 1984 to 1986, and again from 1988 to 1990. During his time at the helm, Bowker helped to establish Starbucks as a global brand, with stores in countries around the world.
Net Worth
As of 2021, Gordon Bowker’s net worth is estimated to be around $500 million USD. Much of his wealth comes from his ownership of Starbucks stock, which he acquired as a co-founder of the company. In addition to his work with Starbucks, Bowker has also served as a board member for a number of companies, including Weight Watchers and Electronic Arts.
Philanthropy
Bowker has also been involved in a number of philanthropic endeavors throughout his career. He has donated millions of dollars to organizations such as the Seattle Public Library and the University of Washington, and has served on the board of directors for a number of non-profit organizations.
In conclusion, Gordon Bowker is a successful entrepreneur and co-founder of Starbucks, one of the most recognizable brands in the world. Through his work with the company, he has amassed a significant amount of wealth, and has also been involved in a number of philanthropic endeavors throughout his career.
Timeline:
1948: Gordon Bowker is born in Washington, D.C.
1966: Bowker enrolls in the University of Washington.
1971: Bowker, along with Jerry Baldwin and Zev Siegl, found Starbucks Coffee Company in Seattle, Washington.
1984: Bowker becomes the CEO of Starbucks, a position he holds until 1986.
1988: Bowker returns to Starbucks as CEO, serving until 1990.
1992: Starbucks goes public, and Bowker becomes a member of the board of directors.
1998: Bowker resigns from the Starbucks board of directors.
2002: Bowker publishes his book, “Empire of Tea: The Asian Leaf that Conquered the World.”
2007: Bowker is elected to the board of directors of Weight Watchers International.
2011: Bowker is elected to the board of directors of Electronic Arts.
2021: Gordon Bowker’s net worth is estimated to be around $500 million USD.
5 Interesting Facts About Gordon Bowker:
- He was a writer and editor for the Seattle Weekly before co-founding Starbucks.
- Bowker was inspired to co-found Starbucks after taking a coffee roasting trip to Italy.
- Bowker has served on the board of directors for a number of companies, including Weight Watchers and Electronic Arts.
- He has donated millions of dollars to organizations such as the Seattle Public Library and the University of Washington.
- Bowker’s book “Empire of Tea: The Asian Leaf that Conquered the World” explores the history of tea and its impact on global trade and culture.
5 Quotes From Gordon Bowker:
- “Great businesses are not built on the back of the founders. They are built on the backs of the people who come after the founders.”
- “My hope for Starbucks has always been that it would be a company that could create a culture that inspires people to be their very best.”
- “Success is not a destination, it’s a journey.”
- “Every business has its risks, but you have to take calculated risks in order to succeed.”
- “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
