Starbucks Takes On U.S. Jobs Woes With Loans, Bracelets

www.dailyfinance.com:

Starbucks, a company that has long been criticized for putting small local coffee shops out of business, on Tuesday launched "Create Jobs for USA," a program to raise funds for American small businesses. In an interview with AOL/Huffington Post, CEO Howard Schultz cited his concerns about government gridlock and the unemployment crisis as his reasons for creating the program. Schultz also called on corporate leaders to help solve the jobs crisis.

Read the whole story: www.dailyfinance.com

Comments

[doro77]

09:41 AM on 11/03/2011

It's a myth that Starbucks has put small coffee shops out of business. Actually, it's had the reverse effect: it's grown the cafe category and in many cases enabled mom-and-pop coffee shops to actually raise prices, rather than undercutting them by bringing prices down. The rising tide idea.
I admire the hell out of Howard Schultz. This is the guy who spoke out on the health insurance crisis when he didn't have to. He floated the impractical but wonderful idea of getting the corrupting influence of money out of our political process. Now, he's using his influence and scale to do what banks & government aren't, which is lend money to small businesses so they can grow. (As a small business owner I've been told that, even with impeccable personal credit and a strong biz track record, I can't get a loan in this environment.)
If we had more CEOs with the conscience and cojones of Schultz, maybe we wouldn't be in this mess. I, for one, am happy to give $5. And for the record, Starbucks does give to local causes. No, I don't work for the company, but I used to work with them several years ago, and I was involved in giving grants for libraries, parks preservation, kids' charities, etc.
So, what's your idea for creating jobs?

[KsAPigButt]

02:10 PM on 11/02/2011

I keep hearing the reason businesses go overseas is b/c US regulations make it too hard for businesses to operate in the States. I wish someone would be more specific. Is it regulations that protect citizens and the environment that businesses just don't want to be bothered with? Is it reporting issues? Or is the tax structure that allows US businesses to make more money by moving to foreign companies, and certainly, being able to hire foreign employees for much less money?

Someone speak out and say what will get American businesses to open up and operate here in the US and start hiring American citizens again. Please. And thank you, Mr. Schultz, for doing something. It's a lot more than anyone else has done...especially Congress.

[4everright]

08:46 AM on 11/02/2011

Starbucks employs a new media campaign suggesting they care about small business. The campaign will add to their bottom line and increase annual revenues. It's all about the money folks.

[cadawa]

12:40 PM on 11/02/2011

Starbucks has continued to perform well during recession so profits may or may not be their primary concern. Schultze came from a single parent family and started his business on a shoestring . It's just possible he remembers his roots and genuinely wants to help.
While the government has passed out money for small business loans, unfortunately they funneled much of it through large banks who are still sitting on it. Goldman Sachs being a particularly odious example http://www.gregpalast.com/sachs-fiendgoldman-attacks-occupy-wall-streets-non-profit-bank/
In spite of what the article says, the inability of small businesses to get reasonably priced loans has hampered their growth. They are the engines of job creation, not the offshoring corporate welfare queens. Demand will not increase unless this situation is addressed.

[loveis22984]

01:24 AM on 11/02/2011

Say what you want, my family and I like Starbuck and the way they treat their employees, the same goes for WholeFoods

[twninja]

08:30 PM on 11/01/2011

I don't know man, over priced bracelets . . . why don't we invest in people and innovation.

[Cyn de Harven]

01:18 AM on 11/02/2011

Really? Because starting a fun to help someone start a small business somehow ISN'T investing in people and innovation?

[frank day]

07:12 PM on 11/01/2011

How about they give their employees a raise and find ways to donate to

local communities??

Oh, and not laying people off while they're making record profits might help too.

[Cyn de Harven]

01:20 AM on 11/02/2011

Firstly, Starbucks makes a lot of charitable donations to local communities.

Secondly, if this isn't helping local communities, then what is?

It is far better to teach a man to fish, than it is to give him a fish.

[frank day]

03:24 AM on 11/02/2011

They're in the fishing business?

More like fishy business.

[writeon1]

06:55 PM on 11/01/2011

Is Starbucks aware that people who are unemployed or underemployed wouldn't qualify for a small business loan? And since Starbucks itself has closed hundreds of its own shops the likelihood of new small businesses making it in today's business climate is bordering on crazy. Starbucks has already put tons of small coffee shops on Main St. USA out of business, if they really want to give back, how about lowering the price of your coffee so it will be available to a lot more people? Fund raising where the customer pays is not exactly the same as giving back. As a large corporation you already did your damage. http://newsy1.wordpress.com