At 55, Michael Gill lived in a big house in the suburbs of New York with his loving family, pulling down a six-figure salary as an executive at an ad agency. At 63, divorced, destitute and desperate, he accepted a job as a barista.
Demeaning? Hardly.
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This month Gill becomes a published author with his memoir “How Starbucks Saved My Life.”
After downsizing cost him his job and an affair ended his marriage, the father of five was adrift. In the advertising world, Gill discovered, gray hair is a liability. Countless attempts at returning to the industry failed before Gill was offered a job in retail.
“I didn’t know what that meant,” he admitted. In this case it meant pouring coffee.
A green apron. A paycheck. A purpose.
“At least it was someplace I was needed,” said the 67-year-old, just off a shift that began at 5 a.m. “I had spent years not being needed.”
There have been challenges during the last four years, all documented in the journal that became his memoir.
The new barista feared he’d be unable to keep up with customers. He served a college buddy who couldn’t believe old Mike Gill was wearing an apron. And he still screws up. “Today I ruined the foam on a double tall non-fat soy cappuccino,” he said.
But the job has steeped in Gill a new confidence, while erasing some prejudices. “I’ve learned that there’s a huge world out there of talented people. And I see that as a gift.”
The paychecks and health benefits are nice, too, as is Tom Hanks buying the film rights to the book. Most important to Gill, it seems, is the wisdom gained from a drastic — borderline disastrous — change of life.
“It’s a lot harder making a triple non-fat latte and handling the register than it is having a three-martini lunch.”
Meet Michael Gill while he signs and discusses his book at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Borders (150 N. State St.), just north of the Starbucks at 111 N. State and southeast of the Starbucks at 40 W. Lake St.