Remember when Starbucks was a third place – not a sugar factory?
In this new episode of Capability Amplifier, Dan Sullivan and I talk deeply on a topic every entrepreneur eventually faces:
"How do I scale without degrading your product, brand, and soul?"
We use Starbucks as a live case study to explore when and how companies lose their magic – and what founders can do to preserve their relevance, creativity, and quality… even as they grow.
We also reveal a powerful model every entrepreneur should consider...
You’re not running one business, you’re running two:
If you’ve ever feared your company is growing too fast, losing its spark, or becoming a commodity – this episode will show you how to course-correct while expanding even bigger.
We even roleplay a conversation with Howard Schultz to bring back the barista handshake.
KEY INSIGHTS & TAKEAWAYS:
The “Two-Brand” Rule for Founders
Learn why every lasting business has an innovation engine (R&D) and a scalable model (Multiplier)—and how to run both without compromise.
How Starbucks Lost Its Soul
We deconstruct how a premium brand became a commodity—and what your business can learn from their slippage.
Relevance is Everything
Why founder energy, vision, and non-negotiables must be baked into your business DNA—or you'll get eaten by Wall Street.
Codify the Magic Before You Scale
Discover how to preserve your essence through documented values, customer feedback, and high-fidelity experiences.
The Power of the Skunkworks
How to create an internal “heritage lab” that keeps your creative edge alive while the rest of the company scales.
How Strategic Coach Scaled Without Dan
Dan reveals how he built a world-class coaching business with 15 coaches… without diluting the core genius of the brand.
TIME STAMPS
[00:00:00] Why Relevance Matters
Dan and Mike unpack the fear every founder faces—losing their creative edge and becoming irrelevant.
[00:02:17] What Starbucks Got Right—and Then Wrong
A deep dive into the rise and fall of Starbucks’ magic, and how they lost the barista handshake.
[00:06:26] The R&D Brand vs. The Multiplier Brand
Why every founder must divide their company into two: the soul and the scale.
[00:08:51] Dan’s Magic Question for Howard Schultz
The question that could help restore the original Starbucks magic.
[00:14:34] The Innovation Toolkit for Founders
Mike and Dan lay out a step-by-step process to rediscover your brand’s soul using AI and customer feedback.
[00:16:01] Strategic Coach’s Scaling Story
Dan shares how he replaced himself, scaled with entrepreneurial coaches, and boosted retention and quality.
[00:22:12] What Made Starbucks Great (According to AI)
Mike shares ChatGPT’s diagnosis of Starbucks’ peak years—and how it maps to founder DNA.
[00:28:40] Restoring the Founder’s Fire
The key question every founder should ask to reconnect with their “golden decade.”
[00:31:33] Why Founders Create Brands That Last
From Apple to Tesla to Enduril, the secret to iconic brands is embedded in their creators’ DNA.
[00:37:33] The Final Synthesis
Mike wraps the episode with a powerful strategy: sell the scaled brand if needed—but never stop creating.
[00:38:13] Dan’s Thought-Provoking Close
“Look at tomorrow like it’s already yesterday. Are you proud of what you did?”
If you want to scale with integrity – and keep the thing that made you successful in the first place – don’t miss this episode.
PS – Whenever you’re ready, here’s how I can help:
