How Starbucks Saved My Life

Sunday Morning: A Riches-To-Rags Story Takes A Fortuitous Turn At A Coffee Shop

(CBS)  Millions of us wake up every morning to a good strong cup of coffee. And, as it happens, coffee figures in the story of the wake-up call one man received after hitting a low point reminiscent of George Bailey's in the film "It's a Wonderful Life." Anthony Mason tells the tale:

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By his own admission, Michael Gill was a child of privilege.

"I was born with just about every advantage you could imagine, or even wish for," he told Mason.

He went to an Ivy League college, was a top executive at a world renowned ad agency, and had a six-figure salary. But now at age 67, he's trudging through the dark just before 5 o'clock in the morning, to make the early shift for his new job.

He's a barista at Starbucks.

"This was not on my goal list when I went to Yale."

This is the story of an affluent man's fall from grace, and how he found redemption in an unexpected place, a story Michael Gates Gill tells in his book, "How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else."

He describes it with almost a religious connotation.

"Oh, I think there's definitely a sense of, I would have to say, divine grace about my life. Because I definitely didn't deserve this kindness."

He was born the first son in a prominent family. His father, Brendan Gill, was a writer for the New Yorker for more than 60 years, author of a bestselling history of the magazine, and friend to many of the city's most famous faces.

"My father was a very well-recognized figure," Gill said.

When Mike was still a boy, the Gills moved to a prosperous New York suburb called Bronxville. Their house had 25 rooms, a gymnasium, and a two-story library.

Following in his father's footsteps, Michael went to Yale, and was hired out of college to work at J. Walter Thompson, then the world's biggest ad agency.

"I was what was called a creative director, and that means my job was to encourage other people to have ideas, like an orchestra leader," Gill laughed.

He presided over ad campaigns for the Marines, Christian Dior and Ford. For 26 years he climbed the corporate ladder. But he didn’t see the end coming.

"No, I was really shocked by it, which I shouldn't have been."

He was 53 when a fellow executive invited him out to breakfast:

"And she said, you know, those classic words: 'Michael, we have to - we have to let you go.'"

"How did you feel at that moment?" Mason asked.

"I felt stunned. To be 53 and fired in advertising is really a death notice."

Gill tried to start his own consulting business, but couldn't make it. Then money began to get tight.

"I was dressing up everyday with a tie. It's sad now to think about it, but I was dressing up like I was an executive when I didn't have any work."

"Were you surprised at how fragile it all turned out to be?"

"I was surprised at my inability to cope."

Things quickly went from bad to worse. First Gill lost his job, then an affair ended his twenty-year marriage, when his girlfriend gave birth to a son. The final blow came four years ago, when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

He was at rock-bottom.

In a desperate attempt to find comfort, Gill found himself going back to his first home in New York City.

"You know, I didn't do it consciously, but I found myself back in the neighborhood I'd been at least appreciated and loved in, [where] I was a fortunate son in a fortunate world, and I was trying to, I think, recapture that sense of, 'I have a place in the universe,' because I felt like I'd fallen out.

"But then I looked over there. And there was a brightly lighted Starbucks store."

He walked over. What he didn't know was Starbucks was hiring that day. And when Gill sat down to brood over his latte, a woman approached him.

"She said, 'Would you like a job?'"

Gill's answer would literally change his life.

"And when she asked me that, I just didn't have the energy to lie or even be polite. I just said, 'Yes, I need a job.'"

"Why did you say, 'yes'?" Mason asked.

"I don't know. It was desperation or courage, but I think I just realized this is the moment I can't afford to miss."

He said the idea of putting on a barista's uniform was humiliating, and scary.

"I mean, it's one thing to get fired from J. Walter Thompson. It's another thing to be fired from Starbucks because you can't even do the basic job."

Those fears proved unfounded. In fact, he had found his calling.

[kweep]

Wow! I think it would be better to go to a hospital if you have a brain tumor instead of Starbucks. I wonder what is in the coffee?

[oldpilot954]

I guess I''m getting old. I''ve gotten so that I don''t envy someone else''s riches. I will admit I get a little irritated at people who live off my taxes because they aren''t willing to work menial jobs. That especially rubs me the wrong way when they sit around and bad-mouth both the government and those who work and pay taxes. I understand that jobs are hard to find and I may be unemployed tomorrow. But I started working in 1968, before my 14th birthday, and have only been out of a job a couple of times since. Those times only lasted about 2-3 months and then only because I did not want to change careers. I grew up in a "blue-collar" family and I can''t really relate to having the kind of income Mr. Gill had before. However, I can relate to getting reminded that the important things are not related to the bank account. I don''t think I''ve ever heard of a man on his death-bed saying he wished he had spent more time making money and less time making relationships.

[hypnotoad72]

That guy is a philanderer and a cheat. So many good people are being displaced...

[iceman_1960]

bump

[mh4cbs1]

A Christmas message for Geroge Bush:

Merry Christmas! Let''''s not forget the teachings of Jesus on this holy day.

For Jesus taught us to Do ''''shock and awe'''' with death and destruction unto others, before they might strike us, or maybe plan to strike us.

Let us rejoice our fear, hatred and revenge, for it gives us the power of pride.

Let God give us the Wisdom to spend our hundreds of billions of dollars on cost-effective weapons, rather than squander it on lesser causes like poverty, infrastructure, health or education.

God Bless America, and to hell with the rest of the world or anyone else who gets in the way of our "interests".

And finally, Merry Christmas to Haliburton, Blackwater and the War Industry. Your $686 Billion is yours to spend in 2008. Have fun.

[iceman_1960]

Silly me. It"s an Italian word, not Spanish.

"barista: a person who works at the counter of a coffee shop; a coffee bar server"

[iceman_1960]

"He"s a barista at Starbucks."

Shouldn"t a "barista" be working at Taco Bell ?







[Just kidding]

[iceman_1960]

"Now that a book is written and Tom Hanks is doing a movie could it be said now this is a story of riches to rags to super riches?"
- Posted by l8c6 at 12:46 PM : Dec 24, 2007

This occurred to me also.

["His father, Brendan Gill, was a writer for the New Yorker for more than 60 years, author of a bestselling history of the magazine, and friend to many of the city"s most famous faces."]

I"m not being cynical. Creative writing runs deep in Irish culture. In proportion to their numbers the Irish have probably produced at least as many great writers as anybody, and more than most. (That"s culture, not genes. Human beings produce that which their culture values.)

[den-man1]

I loved this story and put it on my blog at www.DennisMansfield.com. I work with ex-addicts and ex-inmates, helping them gain ground in their new lives. To read about Michael''s re-gaining of his life was inspirational. We just started an Ex-inmate Theatre to help folks capture their dreams for the first time. How wonderful that Michael is re-capturing his joy for life.

Happy, happy New Year for Michael Gates Gills!
Dennis In Boise

[nlm2383]

This was a great story...

[l8c6]

Now that a book is written and Tom Hanks is doing a movie could it be said now this is a story of riches to rags to super riches?

[l8c6]

what???!!! nobody here is going to blame this on the Bush Administration???

Posted by krenz4

Nope, not a one. It''s Clinton, Carter and the socialist do-gooder bleeding heart liberals fault. Ann Coulter, Pat Robertson and Rush Limbaugh have confirmed this.

[l8c6]

t"s Bush"s fault.

Posted by Iceman_1960

No, it''s Clinton, Carter and the bleeding heart liberal do-gooders fault.

[iceman_1960]

RE: "YOU PRIVLEGED SUCKERS OUT THERE THAT DONT DO SQUAT"

Some folks have knee and back problems that won"t permit them to squat.

Gentler exercises like yoga and swimming laps are better for them.

[hypnotoad72]

I THINK IF ALOT MORE OF YOU PRIVLEGED SUCKERS OUT THERE THAT DONT DO SQUAT, SHOULD HAVE TO WORK LOWCLASS FOR AWHILE. MAY BE ABLE TO PULL YOUR SNOTTY HEADS OUT YOUR *** AND TREAT ALL PEOPLE A LOT NICER, YOU TAKERS OF HANDED OUT WEALTH, YOU DOERS OF NOTHING, YOU GREED GRUBBERS, YOU NONE GIVERS OF ANYTHING...**** OFF.

Posted by NUTSIE11
--------------------------

Who''s your target audience? ;)

[chuerta_1]

Thank you Sunday Morning for the wonderful early Christmas gift of your show this last Sunday 12/23. I truly wish you could air your show later in the day during the week so people who are sleeping in on Sunday mornings can enjoy the love you share with us. I love that all of your stories, no matter how they begin, end in triumph. I salute you for saluting those who ''figure it out'' and rise above adversity.

[consciousnes]

Today is Christmas Eve. I can understand when some people are angry at the world, they strike out and want to hurt someone else because they too have been hurt.
BUT like I said, today is Christmas Eve, and whether or not you believe as a Christian or a Muslim or Hebrew, or Hindu, or Buddist, or Zoroaster, or none at all, tis the season to show a littl compassion and love to our fellow man.
So to all out there I would like to say "HAPPY HOLIDAYS" and wish all of you ALL THE BEST as life has shown Mike.

[iceman_1960]

It"s Bush"s fault.

[krenz4]

what???!!! nobody here is going to blame this on the Bush Administration???

[motherhen11]

Oh that''s just a bunch of hooey.