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How Starbucks Saved My Life
How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else | Michael Gates Gill
24 posts | 20 read | 12 to read
Now in paperback, the national bestselling riches-to-rags true story of an advertising executive who had it all, then lost it alland was finally redeemed by his new job, and his twenty-eight-year-old boss, at Starbucks. In his fifties, Michael Gates Gill had it all: a mansion in the suburbs, a wife and loving children, a six-figure salary, and an Ivy League education. But in a few short years, he lost his job, got divorced, and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. With no money or health insurance, he was forced to get a job at Starbucks. Having gone from power lunches to scrubbing toilets, from being served to serving, Michael was a true fish out of water. But fate brings an unexpected teacher into his life who opens his eyes to what living well really looks like. The two seem to have nothing in common: She is a young African American, the daughter of a drug addict; he is used to being the boss but reports to her now. For the first time in his life he experiences being a member of a minority trying hard to survive in a challenging new job. He learns the value of hard work and humility, as well as what it truly means to respect another person. Behind the scenes at one of Americas most intriguing businesses, an inspiring friendship is born, a family begins to heal, and, thanks to his unlikely mentor, Michael Gill at last experiences a sense of self-worth and happiness he has never known before. Watch a QuickTime trailer for this book.
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Leftcoastzen
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Christmas cups are out ! Life is good when you have enough points to get Christmas blend!☕️

marleed It always gives me a little thrill when I drive thru Starbucks and my order comes in this years‘ holiday cup. …It‘s also my reminder of a new year when my order is once again filled with the standard white at some point in Jan when they run out of holiday cups! 14mo
Leftcoastzen @marleed 😁I tend to walk in , so first thing you notice is all the signs are red ! Holiday cups are fun , though I brought my own in today. 14mo
marleed Haha. I love Starbucks stores at Christmas. I‘ve particularly anticipated the cups since the silly 2015 controversial solid red cup. In support that year I purchased the ceramic solid red holiday cup and do a toast with it every year for whatever way it is people chose to celebrate (or not) the season! 14mo
47 likes3 comments
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Leftcoastzen
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It‘s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Starbucks Christmas cups are here ! Thanksgiving blend with 2 add shots….But it‘s gonna be 88 degrees here!🎅🌞

melissajayne Glad that the Christmas drinks are out; will get one this weekend 3y
Emilymdxn So exciting! I‘ll have to see if they‘re out in England too 3y
54 likes2 comments
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Leftcoastzen
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Ok , people, I‘m one of the few I guess that doesn‘t like pumpkin spice Starbucks . My local was so busy the drive thru line was backed up to the street.An orderly feeding frenzy.I did see some give up , park their cars ,and RUN in! 😄🙄🎃Geez ! I went to another location.

SamAnne I‘m right there with you. Unless it is in pumpkin pie. 3y
Leftcoastzen @SamAnne 👍agree! Maybe we are the last two. 3y
BekaReid I love pumpkin everything except in my coffee! 3y
See All 7 Comments
merelybookish You are not alone. But I don't like any sweet drinks. 3y
Avanders Though they‘ve also introduced the Apple crisp macchiato this year… which has been popular and has meant I haven‘t even tried the psl yet. 😁 3y
Leftcoastzen @merelybookish I‘m pretty hardcore , dark roast with a shot or two , now & then I‘ll add milk , but mostly not. 3y
merelybookish @Leftcoastzen Exactly! Coffee is meant to be bitter! 3y
37 likes7 comments
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Leftcoastzen
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Free tall espresso drink at Starbucks hour is crazy!select locations nationwide I think.1 to 2 I‘m on mountain time.They are doing this daily through 12/31

marleed I read your tagged book in 2019 and found it interesting. 5y
Leftcoastzen @marleed I really enjoyed it . 5y
35 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Leftcoastzen
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The quiet before the storm ....hope Littens grab a peaceful break during this hectic season .

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Leftcoastzen
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Why did Starbucks make playing cards ? Maybe the better question is why did I buy them?😂♥️♦️♠️♣️

Rachel.Rencher Those are actually really pretty! Probably way over priced, but I'd buy a deck 😂 5y
Leftcoastzen @Rachel.Rencher $6.95 U.S.I only saw them in one of my local Starbucks.I thought they were cute , went back to that location a few days later,couldn‘t resist. 5y
tournevis They are lovely, and very overpriced! 5y
37 likes4 comments
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Cinfhen
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#RedRoseSeptember Michael Gill ( author ) was living #TheLifeOfRiley , a child of privilege and wealth until a series of mistakes, poor decisions and misfortune found him alone and destitute. And then, a chance meeting inside a Starbucks led him to an opportunity he never imagined. Still on my virtual #TBR 🙈

Leftcoastzen It‘s actually very good. 5y
arlenefinnigan Interesting! 5y
Cinfhen I kind of “like” the reverse rags to riches stories @Leftcoastzen @arlenefinnigan 5y
Centique Riches to rags sounds like an interesting change to me too! 5y
Bookgirl I‘ve read this. It was interesting! 5y
87 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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shmreads
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Good morning! Continuing this read from months ago. Also, waiting for an appointment to suffice...

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OriginalCyn620
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I had a coffee date with one of my best friends today, and I got to Starbucks an hour and a half early so that I could spend some time writing! It was all glorious! Image is from Typorama because I didn‘t have my phone, as I‘d left it at home on the charger! 😝
#springintoreading #selfcaresunday

vkois88 Leaving your phone at home is a great way of doing self care too... sounds like you had a wonderful day! 6y
62 likes1 comment
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NatalieR
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Pickpick

Interesting memoir of how a random act of kindness helped change a man‘s life after being fired from a prestigious job and having an affair with an unexpected pregnancy that led to divorce. MGG conveyed a lot of humility, willingness, and gratitude throughout his story. I think he could have left out the stories about the famous people he‘s met. It seemed a stretch to make them fit and he came off kind of pompous. #MountTBR #LitsyAtoZ #LetterH

alisiakae I like your NC themed mug collection! (edited) 6y
NatalieR @4thhouseontheleft Thanks! 😊 (I used to live there.) 6y
alisiakae I live in Charlotte (since 2011) but as a kid my family vacationed in Outer Banks every summer! 6y
NatalieR @4thhouseontheleft Lucky you! I lived in Raleigh (2001-2007). Love 💕 vacationing in OBX and Asheville. 6y
115 likes1 stack add4 comments
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TheBogwitch
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@megzlynn This!

wildwoodreads I‘m super jealous lol. Now I feel like I need to go shopping. 😂 6y
TheBogwitch @megzlynn I‘m going back before they sell out. I had to make sure it was as good as in the shop. It is! 6y
11 likes2 comments
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JamieLou
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Bad news: Starbucks isn‘t selling their pumpkin spice latte anymore 😭
Good news: If you get a holiday drink you get a free reusable cup. 🙂
Best news: I had EMERGENCY pumpkin spice latte in my drawer at work 😂

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SW-T
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Free reusable cups from Starbucks on Friday, November 2!

For details:
https://www.delish.com/food-news/a24517081/starbucks-free-reusable-cups/

The tagged book was an interesting read too 😉📚

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anored
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Enjoying this inspirational memoir.

4 likes1 stack add
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Reviewsbylola
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Today is the day both my kids are back in school. We had a great summer, and it‘s hard to believe that next year they‘ll both be in school full day.

I enjoyed my newfound freedom with—what else!!—a trip to Starbucks and the library.

BarbaraBB Super cute girls 😍 6y
Kalalalatja Awww they look adorable! 6y
Librariana Hope they have a fabulous first day back! 😊💖📚 6y
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Pamwurtzler I love those matching dresses! 6y
JennyM Little cuties 6y
IamIamIam Happy first day of school!!!! 6y
emilyhaldi Cuties 💕💕 6y
mabell It seriously seems like just yesterday you posted the "out of school for the summer" pic! ??? 6y
Reviewsbylola It feels like yesterday to me too! 😢 @mabell (edited) 6y
LeahBergen Aww! 💕💕 6y
minkyb Too cute. 6y
Cinfhen Can‘t believe I missed this ❣️❣️ 6y
121 likes12 comments
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Leftcoastzen
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Like Starbucks needs any help from me BUT isn‘t Vickers the cat cute?!?Anyone else playing Starbucks for Life game?

tpixie I am but not well.. this year I keep forgetting! 7y
Leftcoastzen @tpixie I haven‘t ever won big. Last couple of years I‘ve won extra points & a couple of free drinks. 7y
tpixie @Leftcoastzen good luck!! 7y
22 likes3 comments
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melissajayne
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After a so-so shift, I so needed this. It‘s the Creme Brûlée Latte. Also got the Reindeer Gingerbread cookie.

SandyW Sounds yummy, and quite festive. 7y
melissajayne @SandyW it is. I find it quite sweet so I may go back to the Chestnut Praline. 7y
27 likes2 comments
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umbrellagirl
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If there is any kind soul who lives near a PA Starbucks, I would love one of these cups or ornaments.

This is a distelfink and half my family is PA Dutch.

I‘m happy to reimburse for the cost plus any postage and packing fees to CT. I‘d also be happy to exchange with you if you‘d like a Connecticut themed item 🙂

#distelfink #starbucks #padutch #pennsylvania #ineedthis

umbrellagirl @Cinfhen You are amazing! 7y
Cinfhen My daughter will be in Philly for work next week, so I can ask her as well 7y
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umbrellagirl @Cinfhen that would be lovely! Thank you so much 💙💙💙💙 7y
Cinfhen If the others don‘t come through first, get back to me. She‘ll be in Philly next Wednesday & Thursday 7y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Oh shoot - I was just I Sbux this morning. I‘ll look though! 7y
umbrellagirl @BarbaraTheBibliophage thank you so much! 7y
Captivatedbybooks I‘ll check the ones around me 7y
DivineDiana I‘ll look too! 7y
ValerieAndBooks I was actually at Starbucks just a couple hours ago and the ornament was definitely there! Not sure about the cup. I‘ll go in the morning and see if it‘s still there. @Cinfhen @MicheleinPhilly @BarbaraTheBibliophage @DivineDiana @Librarybelle @TsundokuAleax @Captivatedbybooks @MrBook @BookBabe 7y
umbrellagirl @ValerieAndBooks thank you so much! 7y
ValerieAndBooks Sure thing! BTW my daughter is in the dance program at University of Hartford 😊 (edited) 7y
Cinfhen I knew the Philly crew would come through😘😘😘😘 @BarbaraTheBibliophage @Captivatedbybooks @DivineDiana @ValerieAndBooks 7y
umbrellagirl @ValerieAndBooks good school! I live in Avon which is not too far from there. 7y
MrBook Done! 😎👌🏻 7y
umbrellagirl @MrBook 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙 7y
ValerieAndBooks @mrbook did you get this yet? 7y
TsundokuAleax My favorite part about all this is waking up from a nap to see all this glorious love and helpfulness. 7y
ValerieAndBooks @umbrellagirl I got the ornament!!! Email valphia at Aol.com. No cups at mine tho. Do u want @Cinfhen @MicheleinPhilly @BarbaraTheBibliophage @DivineDiana @Librarybelle @TsundokuAleax @Captivatedbybooks @MrBook @BookBabe to be on the lookout for a cup? 7y
ValerieAndBooks @umbrellagirl I got the ornament!!! Email valphia at Aol.com. No cups at mine tho. Do u want @Cinfhen @MicheleinPhilly @BarbaraTheBibliophage @DivineDiana @Librarybelle @TsundokuAleax @Captivatedbybooks @MrBook @BookBabe to be on the lookout for a cup? 7y
Cinfhen You are so sweet @ValerieAndBooks 💋my daughter will be in Philly next week so she 's gonna look for the cup! If she finds it, I'll let you know😀have a great weekend #thankyou 7y
umbrellagirl @ValerieAndBooks you‘re amazing! Emailing you now. Thank you so much 💙 7y
ValerieAndBooks OMG sorry for the repeated postings!! It wasn‘t showing that it went through the first time and I kept trying again 😂! But very happy to help out! 7y
DivineDiana Thank you @ValerieAndBooks for letting us know you were successful! 7y
DivineDiana @umbrellagirl Just checked local Starbucks. No cup 🙁There was an ornament, if you need another! 😉 7y
umbrellagirl @DivineDiana thanks so much for checking. I am all set now thanks to some kind Littens 💙 7y
Captivatedbybooks I just saw the cup lol im glad you got everything! 7y
63 likes1 stack add29 comments
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Dragon
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Thanks @Joriebooks for the link to the Order Starbucks / guess your reading genre. Mine was pretty close 🐉

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Moonchild_booknerd89
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Pickpick

Very interesting read! Loved it!

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Cinfhen
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I feel like a total tourist, but this was my first time seeing a Starbucks Food truck 😍😍😍#ILoveTheUSA #StrongBrew ☕️

Dragon Who knew that was even a thing? 😀 8y
LibrarianJen How awesome! I wish we had mobile Starbucks. It's hard enough finding one with a drive through. 8y
Suzze That's kinda cool. I've never heard of them. But then again, I rarely see any kind of food truck. 8y
See All 14 Comments
Leftcoastzen Wow ! I have never seen one!Thx for pic. 8y
Reviewsbylola I literally go to Starbucks every single day. I didn't even know these existed! 8y
Cinfhen And here I thought I was being a real "tourist" photographing the food truck, so glad I could share this awesomeness with ya'll @Dragon @LibrarianJen @Suzze @Leftcoastzen @Reviewsbylola ??? 8y
kspenmoll Never seen one!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing! No idea! 8y
JenP I've never seen one either 8y
minkyb I have never seen one and believe me I thought I knew everything Starbucks related. 😜 8y
DebinHawaii @Cinfhen They had a few old school ones but started testing these newer models on some campuses last fall. They are still pretty new/rare to see & just in a few places so far. (I used to work for them & still keep up on the haps) 😆☕️ 8y
Cinfhen That's cool @DebinHawaii I forgot u worked for Starbucks back in the day...I spotted this starmobile at a highway rest stop on NJ Turnpike @minkyb @JenP @kspenmoll Not very glamorous but was soooo happy to stumble upon it😁🙏🏻 8y
MommyOfTwo I've never seen one 8y
emilyhaldi Love that hashtag 🇺🇸 8y
DivineDiana I've never seen one either! Keeping an eye open or two! 👀 8y
108 likes14 comments
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Reviewsbylola
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#heaven is coffee, book, nap, repeat. Although they left out bath. 🤔 #rockinmay

AnnaDesourdy And wine 🍷😂 8y
Bookish_B I need the shirt on the right! 😍😍 8y
Reviewsbylola It's from Thug Life Shirts. I also have one from them that says I like big books and I cannot lie. 😂 @Bookish_B 8y
See All 8 Comments
Reviewsbylola And chocolate! 🍫 @AnnaDesourdyAuthor 8y
mrsamandahood YES! 🙌🏼 8y
AnnaDesourdy How could I forget chocolate?! 8y
Lmstraubie 💖💖💖 8y
Cinfhen Hahaha ~ perfect!!! 8y
113 likes8 comments
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RinaBrahmbhattBarot
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Pickpick

#TravelPost isn't this the cutest thing you find in #Starbucks ☕️

Godmotherx5 Yes! I don't know how many times I picked one up, then put it down. I felt guilty buying it for myself. Somehow, I don't get that feeling when browsing books. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 8y
RinaBrahmbhattBarot @Godmotherx5 I'm with you!!! After reading Marie Kondo - I didn't buy it...but books no second thought required :-) 8y
88 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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kspenmoll
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#starbuckskeptmewarm #latteandbooks #cardead #stolenmoments Hubby & I stopped at Starbucks & upon leaving, car would not catch; only that click click click sound. The wait for AAA 1 & 1/2 hr -so what's not to like about stolen time in a cozy chair sipping a latte & reading while waiting ? Another surprise: xmas fireworks outside across the way! AAA man enjoyed show while installing a battery! Car breakdown=unexpected fun💥🎄

Scurvygirl Way to enjoy an unfortunate moment! 📚☕️🎆 8y
Louise Lemonade from lemons! 🍋🍋🍋 8y
Kimzey Glad everything worked out! 8y
See All 6 Comments
LauraBeth I ❤️ surprise fireworks 😀 8y
BookishMarginalia Silver linings! 8y
BeththeBookDragon That's why you always carry a book with you! Glad it worked out 8y
42 likes6 comments