I never took classic business classes in college, so I don't have

Host: The room is quiet, the soft evening light casting long shadows across the floor. Outside, the world continues its steady hum, but inside, there’s a sense of reflection hanging in the air. Jeeny sits at the table, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her cup, her expression thoughtful. Jack stands near the window, arms crossed, gazing out at the street below.

Jeeny: (her voice gentle, but filled with curiosity) “You ever think about how people define success in business? How we often associate it with formal education or a specific background, but so many successful entrepreneurs didn’t follow that traditional path?”

Jack: (glancing over at her, his voice dry, but intrigued) “Success and business education? Yeah, it’s funny how we often think you need the right degree or background to make it in the business world. But I guess not everyone follows that path. What made you think about it?”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, a small smile forming as she shares her thought) “I was thinking about something Howard Schultz said: ‘I never took classic business classes in college, so I don’t have the background that any of the people running large companies have.’ It made me reflect on how often we tie business success to formal education, yet some of the most successful people didn’t follow that traditional route at all.”

Jack: (pauses, considering her words carefully) “So, he’s saying that despite not having the typical business education, he was still able to build a successful company? That his success didn’t rely on the usual credentials people think are necessary?”

Jeeny: (smiling more deeply now, her eyes steady as she explains further) “Exactly. Schultz’s point is that success in business doesn’t always come from having the perfect background or a formal business education. It comes from understanding your vision, staying determined, and being able to adapt and learn along the way. In his case, his experiences, intuition, and drive were more important than any classroom training.”

Host: Jeeny’s words seem to settle in the room, a quiet reminder that success is often shaped by factors other than formal education. Jack stands still, his expression softening as he processes the deeper message that business success is about vision, resilience, and the ability to learn, rather than relying solely on credentials. The world outside continues, but inside, the conversation feels rooted in something empowering about unconventional paths to success.

Jack: (his voice quieter now, almost reflective) “I see what he means. We tend to think of business success as something tied to a degree or a specific type of background. But in reality, it’s about so much more than that. It’s about perseverance, learning from experience, and having the vision to take risks and create something meaningful.”

Jeeny: (nodding, her voice calm, yet filled with quiet strength) “Exactly. A formal business education can certainly be helpful, but it’s not the only path to success. Schultz built Starbucks by focusing on the customer experience and using his intuition and passion. He didn’t let a lack of formal business training hold him back. In fact, it probably gave him a different perspective—a more creative and customer-centered approach.”

Jack: (pauses, a small smile forming on his face as the idea sinks in) “It’s a powerful reminder, isn’t it? That business success is about more than just having the right background—it’s about how you approach the challenges, the vision you have, and the drive to bring it to life.”

Jeeny: (smiling warmly, her voice gentle, yet filled with wisdom) “Exactly. When you have a clear vision and the courage to pursue it, you don’t need to follow the traditional path. Success is about finding your own way, using the experiences and knowledge you’ve gathered, and never giving up on your dreams.”

Host: The room feels lighter now, as though the conversation has shifted into something more empowering and aligned with personal growth. Jack turns from the window, his posture more relaxed, his thoughts clearly reflecting on the idea that success in business doesn’t depend on the traditional route—it depends on vision, perseverance, and the ability to learn. Jeeny watches him, content in the understanding that success can come from many different paths, as long as you’re committed to your vision. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, there’s a shared recognition that the key to success is not defined by credentials, but by determination and the willingness to adapt.