Posted on 02/05/2009 8:22:34 AM PST by Red in Blue PA
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Michael Gates Gill was a high-flying, six-figure-earning advertising executive years ago before he was abruptly fired. He had created huge campaigns for companies like Christian Dior and Ford and lived an even bigger life, with luxury automobiles, lavish vacations and fabulous clothes.
Michael Gates Gill's book about how working at Starbucks changed his life became a bestseller.
These days, however, he's traded his $3,000 Brooks Brothers suits for khakis and a green apron; the big bucks for a $10 an hour job as a barista at Starbucks. But Gill says he couldn't be happier.
"Losing my job turned out to be a gift in disguise."
After 26 years at J. Walter Thompson, a leading advertising agency, the then 63-year-old Gill was invited to an early breakfast and was told that he was getting the boot. He made too much money. Someone younger would work for less, he was told.
"Never go out to breakfast," he warns before bursting into laughter. "It's like the Mafia. You will never return."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
This is subtle BS selling of the socialist agenda. You must be prepared to accept lowered expectations. Be happy with your new lot in life, serf.
Excellent attitude:
“When I lost my job I thought my life was over,” he says. “I didn’t realize it was just the beginning.” He smiles contentedly and declares, “I may have a part-time job, but I have a full-time life.”
It amazes me that some folks don’t put something back for a rainy day.
I don’t think it is a “socialist agenda” which got us here. It is a move away from manufacturing to a service economy.
WE NEED TO MAKE REAL THINGS AGAIN!
Why do I have a feeling his ex-boss might have a different story to tell about his “abrupt” departure.
Too bad Starbucks is laying off everyone now.
While that may be true, there is something to be said for a simple life of contentment (I haven’t read the whole article btw).
I am in love with my God and family, and need nothing else.
Once I no longer had to support the kids a life of tending bar at Starbucks doesn’t sound too bad actually.
But for now, I do the 60 hour work week so that I can send my kids to the right school, and so that my wife can stay at home with the kids. Of course, if the liberals hadn’t messed this country up and if we had school choice and lower taxes — I probably wouldn’t have to work so hard! :)
Sounds like he must have lost everything in the divorce.
Well...yes...that CAN be true....unless the company does NOT have any younger workers to replace them (I think that’s why my husband still has his job.)
He found that Starbucks really was about the American dream. His manager was a black woman who worked hard, showed extreme pride in her store and employees and was going places.
Really a great read and a great story.
Agreed. It’s because employees expect to see their salaries increase gradually every year, whether or not the value of their work product increases correspondingly. As a result employers often paid young workers at less than they were worth but increased their pay with age until they were paying older workers more than they were worth (an implicit bargain of sorts).
In some fields this isn’t really true anymore, but it still is in many industries. The implicit bargain worked back when people stayed with the same company their entire career, but doesn’t really make sense in today’s economy. If the pattern were eliminated older people would have an easier time finding and keeping work.
Starbucks kept me off the welfare rolls. Although hubby had a full time job, it had no health benefits and our family qualified for SCHIP. But, we choose to be responsible for our own children and adjusted our schedules so that he could be home with the kids while I work 20 hours a week. This qualified me for great insurance for the family. There are countless people I met while working there, with similar stories. Some wives whose husbands were starting small businesses. They weren’t at the point that they could afford their own insurance, and rather than reach for a handout, they took responsibility.
Starbucks takes a lot of crap on this board, but they do a lot for the cause of conservatism by allowing for people to be responsible and working for what they need. So I will continue to support them, because I benefitted from their willingness to care for their employees.
At 63, after decades of being a successful professional, he wasn't in a financial position where he could just say "OK, I'm retired", and relax, live off his investments, and maybe teach some college classes (more for something to do than needing the money)?
OK, I think I might know why he was fired...
My daughter worked there for awhile. And I know that SB’s treats their management pretty well.
They have cutback the last several months though.
He started a consulting firm after he was fired, but a brain tumor and a divorce cost him his savings it sounds like.
I like Starbucks. We have a lot around where I go, and several of them know me. The workers are always friendly. They all speak English (which is not true of lots of places in California). They always send things to the troops at the holidays.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.