In her new job, Launi Skinner will be leading the world's largest junk removal service towards international expansion. Skinner resigned from Starbucks in March, several weeks after Howard Schultz became CEO, "to spend more time with her husband and two daughters." Apparently she got tired of hanging out with them and decided to go back to work. (Read the press release)
June 25, 2008
Nice... at this point I am thinking about leaving Starbucks also... its just full of junk...
Posted by: Jj | June 25, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Launi called the number to report the junk at SBUX and got recrutied!
Posted by: SBU JUNK | June 25, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Did you see the other news release (SeattlePI) about a possible deal between Starbucks and Cheesecake Factory?
Interesting...hmmm?
Posted by: mojo | June 25, 2008 at 10:19 AM
In other Starbucks news, a newsletter claims the company will drop CD and Itune sales by September.
http://www.alleyinsider.com/
Posted by: Tipster | June 25, 2008 at 10:26 AM
I was talking to a friend a while back about her leaving starbucks to "spend time with family" and I told her I didn't believe it, and more then likely she was "asked" to leave. She didn't believe me and told me that she was just a normal person, with a family that wanted to spend time with them. She got all pissed off at me, I can't wait to read her rely when I forward this little peice to her!!
Posted by: Ken | June 25, 2008 at 11:35 AM
I heard she went to Howard and said since you are doing my job why don't you have it!!!
Posted by: HA | June 25, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Her Magnolia home is for sale. It can be yours for $2.1 million. From what I have been told, she really did leave to spend more time with family. She was allowed to keep her weekly markout benefit and partner discount for life. Howard even stated during an open forum that she was welcome to come back at any time. She is from Vancouver and 1-800-GOT-JUNK is in Vancouver so I figured she would be moving back to be closer to more family and got a new job to boot. She really is a great person and I wish her all the best.
Posted by: greencraze | June 25, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Launi Skinner's profile on 1-800-GOT-JUNK's website. Launi 1 800 GOT JUNK
Posted by: Jim | June 25, 2008 at 01:20 PM
I heard a rumor today that Cliff Burrows might have been "asked" to leave this week as well. No idea if there is any weight to this, but it seems like being President of Sbux is short lived place to be these days.
Posted by: Summer Vacation | June 25, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Obviously, Howard is getting rid of anyone with a thought that is independent of his own and will replace them with a bunch of sycophants.
Posted by: Jim Lane | June 25, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Its so delicious. I am glad we are getting back to our roots.
Posted by: deliciousmmm | June 25, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Maybe Howard will be calling Launi about a deal to get all of the CD racks out of our stores by September ....
Posted by: Trent | June 25, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Company shake up. I truly happens all the time. Ditto the thought 'getting back to our roots.'
Posted by: StarbucksMama | June 26, 2008 at 06:25 AM
Launi is a good gal... and the neighborhood will miss her.
http://www.windermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction
=Listing.PropertyFlyer&ListingID=33649329
Posted by: Pat Nerr | June 26, 2008 at 07:45 AM
she was responsible for opening 600 stores per year. her and that mindset is what put us in this problem in the first place. too many stores too fast, the only purpose being to increase her store portfolio. all the while the core of the company was eroding. if her direction was so good, then why are we having these talks today? good ridance!
Posted by: anon | July 02, 2008 at 06:05 PM
The lemonade is O.K. but a good Smoothie is much better. Robeks and Jamba Juice are opening stores, not closing them, and they are going to drink Starbucks under the table ...
Posted by: Here | July 04, 2008 at 08:17 PM