How Starbucks Saved My Life Thesis

How Starbucks Saved My Life Group Cause and Effect Essay Michael Gates Gill was at the top of the advertising world. In his memoir, How Starbucks Saved My Life, Gill found his life renewed through a job at Starbucks. As director of advertising at J. Walter Thompson, Gill’s quality of life was neglected. After 26 years of servitude to J. Walter Thompson, Gill was fired; as a result he saved his life with the benefits of being an honorary Partner, a strong work ethic, and true respect. In his newfound career, Gill progressively changes from a self-entitled narcissist to a compatriot of the working class. Starbucks Corporation provides their Partners, or employees, with benefits such as health insurance, adoption assistance, a retirement plan,

Gill explains how sanitation became “like therapy” for him, it provided a mental distraction from his crumbling life (Gill 259). Gill explains how grateful he is for the work ethic derived from his job, “… serving people in even the simplest ways can be such a fulfilling experience” (Parker). Additionally, Gill describes, “I might have a part-time job, but I have a full-time life” (Ogunnaike). Gill truly enjoys his new Starbucks job, retorting “Just because you are wearing a green apron rather than a Brooks Brothers suit doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it!” (Gill 72). At J. Walter Thompson, Gill lacked moral purpose. Learned values at Starbucks developed Gill’s life providing the fulfillment he never previously

At his former advertising job people did not ask each other for help, it was demanded (Gill 83). At Starbucks, Gill notices Partners ask their coworkers kindly for help. In example Crystal would ask, “Mike, could you do me a favor?” ---. John Moore, of Brand Autopsy, explains Gill’s manager, Crystal, “played a huge role in restoring Michael’s belief system by embodying the best qualities of Starbucks corporate culture” (Moore). Gill relates his newfound respect to his late friend Gordon. Gill explains how Gordon was so positive and loved life (Gill 85). In honor and respect to Gordon, Gill starts to reason, “Maybe, I thought, I had better spend more time singing and laughing, and less time crying about the past” (Gill 86). The respect found and practiced at Starbucks provides Gill with a new outlook on life, resulting in further