When Schultz initially pitched his idea of transforming Starbucks into an espresso bar, the company’s founders were skeptical. Undeterred, Schultz left Starbucks in 1985 and founded his own coffee company, Il Giornale, which was based on his vision. His persistence paid off when he acquired Starbucks in 1987, merging it with Il Giornale. This move exemplifies the risk-taking nature of successful entrepreneurs.