Dorian Smith-Garcia

Almost everyone is familiar with the mermaid branded barista coffee chain offering a premium brew with faux Italian charm. Founded in 1971 in Seattle, Starbucks Coffee has long since been an international sensation. From humble beginnings at its flagship store in Pike Place (the first Starbucks location), to outposts in far-flung locales around the world, almost everyone is familiar with Starbucks. Today, Starbucks boasts over 38,000 locations serving more than 80 countries with its signature brews and even customized treats unique to the cultural tastes of each region. From airports to hotels, dabbling in the venture capital world , and even consumer packaged goods for coffee lovers to enjoy favorite items at home, there’s no stopping this iconic brand. And this leads to the inevitable question, just how much is Starbucks’ net worth — or in the case of a business, market cap? Humble Beginnings Starbucks Coffee logo is seen in Manhattan, New York, United States of America, on July...

Graduating from college is a big deal. Anyone who’s ever pursued higher education knows that there’s something different about managing a college workload versus high school or the lower grades. So, when a graduate finally crosses the stage and moves their tassel from one side of their graduation cap to the other, it’s well deserved.   For many, the journey from the first day of freshman year to graduation day can include some twists and turns. Most recently, Sasha Obama, the youngest of former President Barack Obama’s children, just graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) last year. Here’s everything we know about her college career and what’s on the horizon for her in the future. The Youngest Obama Child Barack Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their daughters Sasha and Malia are introduced to the crowd of supporters in Chicago’s Grant Park as the new first family. (Photo by Ralf-Finn Hestoft/Corbis via Getty Images) Most people remember when Sasha (then 7) and her...

For most college students, school’s been back in session for a few weeks and the fall semester is well underway. While some are just starting out and others are wrapping up their academic career, this is still a period that marks endless possibilities as students everywhere are laying the foundations for their career paths. Although it’s always easy to look to people with a decade or more of experience in their field for inspiration, it’s equally impressive to see how recent graduates are faring — especially those who’ve spent nearly their entire lives in the spotlight. In particular, Malia Obama is a Harvard University graduate who’s made a name for herself so that she stands separate from her famous parents, Barack and Michelle Obama. Malia is the couple’s oldest daughter and is making a name for herself as a film director. But how did she get here, and what was her academic journey like?   Malia Obama: A Look Back On Her Journey Photo Credit: Ralf-Finn Hestoft/Corbis Malia Obama...

When most people think of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), southern schools like Morehouse, Spelman, and of course Howard immediately come to mind. This is understandable, given the history of when most HBCUs began to pop up around this country. Before the Great Migration sent many Black people north in search of prosperity, the bulk of Black Americans lived in the South. So, when white colleges and universities barred Black students from attending, the community answered the call and began to create institutions of higher learning , and eventually also fraternities and sororities. However, the first HBCU was actually Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1837. Overwhelmingly, most HBCUs are located in the South, with a sprinkling of schools in a few northern states. But, there is an HBCU on the West Coast, and it’s located in California. The Only HBCU in California Even though there’s just one HBCU in California, it’s an integral one. Charles R. Drew...

Work culture in the US consists of routinely long hours and nearly mimics hustle culture which prioritizes securing the bag over all else. So, it’s understandable when employees want time off from work. From countless double shifts to working in environments that are chronically short-staffed, US work culture can use an overhaul. However, there are countless memes dedicated to highlighting how difficult it can be for employees to take advantage of paid time off (PTO), regardless of whether it’s paid or unpaid or the promoted generosity of that PTO policy when a person was hired. From blackout dates to refusals because of overlapping out-of-office scheduling, there are an endless number of excuses managers give to block vacations. But these days, managers are at a disadvantage now that many people work remotely or in hybrid environments. And now, many employees are taking advantage of this newfound flexibility. While the concept isn’t exactly new, the phrase “hush vacations” is...

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are one of the strongest forces in Black culture. Originally created due to Black students being shut out of white academic spaces, these institutions not only educated young adults, but also served as a space for community, networking and instilling cultural pride at a time when being Black in America was significantly harder than it is today. Today, there are 107 HBCUs scattered across the US , with over 228,000 students enrolled in them. Most people are aware of the longstanding schools like Howard University, Spelman College , Morehouse College, and Tuskegee University, but there are countless more across the North and South . And while these schools focus on their academics, the student body also enjoys the social aspect. From homecoming celebrations to a rich Divine Nine community, there’s plenty to do to connect with fellow HBCU students, alumni, and faculty. The school year may be technically over for most colleges right...

Most people know the famed Atlanta rapper Offset for one of two reasons. He was one-third of the popular rap group Migos before pursuing a solo career and is husband to Cardi B whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Cephus (2024 net worth is $80 million) who honestly needs no introduction — Grammy award-nominated American rapper, social media personality and former reality star . But the southern music artist has been in the entertainment industry for years — including as a backup dancer to Whitney Houston at one point. As part of Migos, Offset and his group members, Quavo and the late Takeoff, helped to bring Trap music further into the mainstream with iconic hits like “Bad and Boujee” and “Walk It Talk It.” He would go on as a solo artist to further establish himself as a fixture in the rap genre, earning a Best Rap Performance Grammy nomination for his song “Clout” which features his wife. With all the success and notoriety afforded Offset, exactly how much is the former Migos...

Even if you’re not a salesperson, the day may come when you need to convince someone — anyone — that they should take a chance on you. This could be a job interview , when you’re jockeying for a promotion, decide to start your own business and are trying to make sales or secure clients, or if you need to lobby for funding . Whatever the goal, you need to give your target audience a persuasive reason why they should give you the job or promotion, shop with you over a competitor, or fund your business instead of another startup. To do this, you need to sell yourself. This can include creating a thorough presentation that outlines the benefits of someone aligning themselves with you. But you need a good elevator pitch to draw them in before you get to that step. What Is An Elevator Pitch? Once upon a time, people literally did chase after executives, corner them in an elevator, and essentially pitch themselves as a viable option. Whether this was to get a job or secure a business deal,...

Starting a business comes with highs and lows. On the one hand, an entrepreneur may feel endless optimism as they launch a new concept and see how the market responds. But conversely, fears over being scooped by the competition — especially bigger brands — can make even the most confident individuals second guess their decisions. And in particular, steep competition from established businesses is a major caveat that an entrepreneur needs to consider when launching a new concept. This is because a competitor with a more established firm often has access to resources, a deep network and name recognition by consumers. This means that even if an upstart business is first to market with an idea, it can still be overtaken by the competition and lose its edge. This is where choosing to be a stealth startup can be a calculated and smart decision. What Are Stealth Startups? Stealth startups are exactly as the name implies — startups that maintain a low profile and enter into the market with...

If you watched the animated version of Disney’s “The Lion King” from 1994, you are familiar with Jason Weaver, or at least his singing voice, which he lent to the role of Simba. Since then, the actor and singer has appeared in several movies and television shows — many of which have won awards. The 45-year-old actor and Chicago native is a shrewd businessman. Even as a child, he had the wherewithal (or great advisors that guided him) to turn down a $2 million flat fee for his role in The Lion King , instead favoring a flat upfront payment along with royalties to be paid for his lifetime. As a result, he still enjoys Disney checks to this day. So, with a business acumen like that, and a career that shows no signs of slowing down, how much is Jason Weaver worth today? Jason Weaver’s Early Life Jason Weaver is someone that can say entertainment literally runs in his veins. He was born in 1977 and is the son of Marilyn “Kitty” Haywood, who is a member of the Chicago-based all-female...

Launching a startup is no easy task. From coming up with an idea that can actually gain traction to creating a solid positioning statement, there are plenty of caveats that can cause even the most well-intentioned startups to fail — or at least stumble along the way. This is why getting assistance earlier on to help focus targets and strategies is critical. Enter the incubator concept . While the term is often used interchangeably with accelerators, it is not exactly the same thing. Although the end goal is to help fledgling startups gain their footing, launch and successfully enter the market, the way incubators go about it is different. Read on to find out more about the general purpose of business incubators and what is needed before applying to one. What Is A Business Incubator? Ignore the marketing speak and jargon because the concept is very straightforward. Breaking down what a startup business incubator is requires nothing more than considering what the actual piece of...

Having a successful business is not just about creating the next big idea or must-have product; it is also about the people that one employs. A toxic work culture can be fatal for a business’s bottom line, yet a quick search through GlassDoor proves that there are plenty of companies being run into the ground thanks to mismanagement and poor leadership. While poor attitudes and shifty management are top reasons for employees leaving a company, not all businesses know how to pivot and correct toxic workplaces — much to the detriment of employee retention. A famous saying coined by Peter Drucker is that “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” What does this mean, how does it influence a business’s success, and what can firms do to improve a suffering culture within a company? Culture Eats Strategy For Breakfast While it may sound like a trendy bit of jargon, Peter Drucker’s statement gets to the core of what drives businesses — its people. Unsurprisingly, happy people put in 110...

Every entrepreneur thinks that they have the next big idea and that if only consumers or businesses were exposed to it, it would become a rockstar business overnight. In truth, this is not always the case. Often, there is a massive disconnect between those creating brands and what the target audience is demanding. To fix that problem, businesses need to craft a stellar product or create a service that resonates with their audiences . It is important to have a product or service that provides real value, but equally important is learning how to articulate those benefits to potential customers. Without proper branding, even the most exciting product can sit on a shelf or go overlooked as the competition continues to maintain its hold on the market. Learning how to create a positioning statement that helps a brand or product stand out from the competition, and also connect with audiences can make the difference between success and delayed opportunities for many businesses. Positioning...

Entrepreneurship is often romanticized, but it is no easy journey. Beyond simply creating an idea that seems unique enough to launch, it is not cheap to be your own boss. Starting a business has several fixed costs that can quickly add up, such as legally forming a company, paying for legal protections like patents or trademarks, and, of course, marketing and promoting your business. This is where bringing in outside investors can be a smart move. Investors not only represent a cash infusion , but if founders are wise, these people can also help market, promote, and grow a business. However, finding people who are not only willing to invest in a young company but also have enough resources to support a fledgling firm can be difficult. So, where is a startup to start with finding investors? Create A Business Plan Serious investors are not interested in blindly investing in a business — even if they are relatives and friends (who are usually the initial seed investors for any...

Serving in the military requires great courage, as members willingly take on risks and hardships most professions never face. The demanding conditions of training, deployment, and combat involve dangers that call for personal sacrifice. Within the various military branches, there are elite forces that train even harder and undertake riskier assignments that consistently put them in harm’s way. In particular, the Navy SEALs are considered one of the toughest special operations forces in the world, with several alums that have continued to other careers within the intelligence community and private sector. In particular, David Goggins is a retired Navy SEAL, Army Ranger and Air Force service member who pivoted to becoming a prolific athlete as well as a public speaker and author. He is an ultramarathon runner, triathlete, and ultra-distance cyclist. With a career this impressive, it is only natural to wonder about David Goggins current net worth. David Goggins’ Early Life Like many...