Starbucks was founded by three partners: Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker. The trio was inspired by Alfred Peet of Peet's Coffee, and they initially focused on selling high-quality coffee beans and equipment. In 1982, Howard Schultz joined the company and later introduced the idea of selling espresso beverages after a trip to Italy. Schultz’s vision was initially met with resistance, but he eventually bought the company and transformed it into the Starbucks we know today.