#18: Starbucks
In 1971, three former University of San Francisco students—Jerry Baldwin, Sev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker—opened a small coffee shop in Seattle, unaware they were brewing a global revolution. Starbucks started as a modest store, selling high-quality coffee beans and brewing equipment, with a strong focus on craftsmanship and service.
As demand grew, they relocated to the now-iconic Pike Place Market in 1976 after their original location was demolished. From those early days of artisanal coffee culture, Starbucks evolved into a worldwide phenomenon, proving that a passion for premium coffee can turn a single storefront into an empire of caffeine lovers.